Interior design and decorating costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Furnishing a house costs between $10,000 and $40,000, with home size and quality determining your total per room.
Your material choices affect upkeep and longevity, leather needs conditioning, while engineered wood and metal clean up faster.
Plan for add-ons like long-distance delivery up to $500, plus paid assembly, installation, and haul-away services.
Hiring a local interior design professional creates a cohesive look and helps you avoid costly mistakes.
This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by an Angi Editor in accordance with our AI policy.
In 2026, the national average cost to furnish a house is $16,000. Most projects fall between $10,000 and $40,000, with home size, furniture quality, and room function driving the spread. Budget up to $500 for extras like long-distance delivery to keep your total on track.
Several interconnected factors shape the total cost to furnish a house, and understanding them helps you build a realistic budget from the start. The type of room, its size, the materials you choose, and the brand of furniture all influence your final number.
Home size is one of the most direct drivers of furnishing costs, since more square footage and more rooms mean more furniture, decor, and lighting to purchase. Open-concept layouts often call for larger or more flexible pieces, while segmented floor plans may require additional furniture for each distinct space. Furnishing costs vary significantly depending on how many rooms you need to outfit, as shown in the breakdown below:
| Home Size | Square Feet | Description | Average Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom | 600–900 | Living, dining, bedroom, small office | $4,000–$18,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 900–1,200 | Two bedrooms, living, dining, kitchen | $7,000–$25,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 1,200–2,000 | Three bedrooms, larger living, more storage | $10,000–$40,000 |
The type of home you're furnishing has a significant impact on overall expenses, since outfitting a studio apartment from scratch looks very different from selectively upgrading rooms in an existing house. Every room carries its own requirements: living rooms typically need sofas, media centers, and coffee tables, while bedrooms call for beds, dressers, and nightstands. Dining rooms, kitchens, home offices, and outdoor spaces each add their own distinct needs. Your personal style—whether minimalist, traditional, or luxury—shapes both the look and the budget. The table below breaks down the cost to furnish different rooms in your house:
| Room Type | Description | Average Furnishing Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | Sofa, chairs, tables, media center | $4,000–$6,000 |
| Bedroom (per room) | Bed, dresser, nightstands, decor | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Dining room | Table, chairs, storage, lighting | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Kitchen (eat-in) | Table, chairs, barstools, storage | $1,000–$12,000 |
| Home office | Desk, chair, shelving, decor | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Outdoor spaces | Patio furniture, grill, decor | $1,000–$8,000 |
Furniture material choices have a major impact on your budget. Solid wood, leather, and custom upholstery cost more upfront but typically last longer than engineered wood, metal, or synthetic alternatives. Maintenance demands also differ by material: leather requires conditioning, while glass and metal need frequent cleaning to prevent smudges or rust. Upgrading from a laminate dining table to hardwood can add thousands to your total alone.
Brand reputation and quality influence furnishing costs, ranging from budget-friendly mass-market options to designer and custom furniture makers that command the highest prices for unique styles and superior craftsmanship. Mixing brands strategically, such as pairing a high-end sofa with budget-friendly side tables, is a practical way to elevate a room without overspending. Specialty retailers and custom fabricators will increase your investment but can deliver truly personalized results.
Furnishing a house involves more than just purchasing furniture, since delivery, assembly, and professional installation can meaningfully add to your total.
Furniture assembly and installation services charge $40 to $190 per hour. Many providers have a one- to two-hour minimum, with minimum fees ranging from $50 to $100 per visit. Interior designers charge $50 to $200 per hour or a flat fee based on project scope, and they’re especially valuable for complex layouts, wall-mounted shelving, or built-in units. Labor costs vary by region and project complexity, so larger or custom jobs will add the most to your overall furnishing budget.
Delivery fees depend on the retailer, order size, and your location. Flat-rate local delivery at big-box stores typically ranges from $50 to $150 per order, and long-distance delivery can reach up to $500, depending on the size and number of pieces. To keep costs down, group your purchases, ask about free delivery promotions, or pick up smaller items yourself when possible.
Haul-away fees for removing old furniture or packaging range from $75 to $150 per item, depending on size and material. Some retailers include basic removal with premium delivery services, while others charge separately. Certain items, such as mattresses or electronics, may also incur environmental or recycling fees, so confirm what’s included in your delivery package before finalizing your order.
Optional service add-ons can enhance convenience and protect your investment, with common options including furniture protection plans priced at 10% to 20% of the item's value and in-home design consultations starting at $200. While these services increase upfront costs, they can extend the life of your furniture and provide peace of mind, making them a worthwhile consideration for valuable or frequently used pieces.
Beyond purchase and installation, several additional expenses can affect the total cost to furnish a house and are worth factoring into your budget from the start.
Extended furniture protection plans are available beyond standard warranties for an added fee ranging from $100 to $600 depending on the item, and may cover structural defects, fabric stains, or finish issues. Choosing the right coverage can reduce long-term costs, especially for high-use or big-ticket pieces prone to wear and tear.
Furnishing with electronics or smart furniture, such as lamps, entertainment centers, or adjustable beds, adds ongoing utility costs that vary with usage. Maintenance supplies, including cleaning products, fabric protectors, and polish, should also be budgeted, with recurring expenses depending on the materials you choose.
Different materials require different levels of care: leather needs conditioning, wood should be polished, and upholstery benefits from regular vacuuming. Budgeting for annual maintenance costs extends the lifespan of your furniture and helps you avoid more expensive repairs down the road.
Furniture repairs for issues like upholstery tears, broken legs, or scratched finishes range from minor fixes starting at $50 to more extensive work reaching $1,200 or more depending on the item and material. When repair costs approach 50% of the replacement value, investing in new furniture is generally the smarter financial decision.
Homeowners often weigh the benefits of furnishing their house themselves versus hiring a professional. DIY furnishing saves on labor and design fees, but requires more time, effort, and skill. Assembling furniture yourself can reduce costs by $100 or more, depending on the size of your space and the number of pieces.
However, DIY comes with risks—improper assembly, mismatched styles, or even potential injury. Complex layouts or custom designs are best handled by pros. Interior designers charge for their expertise, but often deliver a cohesive look and can help avoid costly mistakes. To estimate your total cost to furnish a house, include both product and service expenses for your chosen approach.
Deciding whether to repair or replace furniture depends on several factors. Age, condition, warranty status, and sentimental value all play a role. Use the 50% rule: if the cost to repair an item exceeds half the price of a new one, replacement is the smarter choice.
For example, reupholstering a sofa might cost $800 to $2,000, while a new one could be $300 to $6,000. Repairing a dining table leg may run $400, compared to $1,200 for a new table. Consider environmental impact as well, repairing or donating furniture can reduce waste and support sustainability.
There are many practical ways to reduce the cost of furnishing a house without sacrificing style or comfort:
Shop sales, clearance, and secondhand markets for quality bargains.
Mix high- and low-end pieces to balance style and savings.
Prioritize essential rooms and phase purchases over time.
Consider multi-functional or modular furniture to maximize space.
Negotiate delivery and assembly fees when possible.
Use online tools for price comparison and budgeting.
Get quotes from at least three local interior decorators to ensure competitive pricing.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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