New Expat Guide: Furnishing Your UAE Apartment for Under AED 5,000

You've just arrived in the UAE. The visa is sorted, the apartment is signed, and now you're standing in an empty flat wondering how much it's going to cost to make it feel like home.

Good news: you don't need to spend a fortune. The UAE's active preloved market means you can furnish an entire apartment beautifully for a fraction of retail prices — and the quality is often better than what you'd get buying new on a tight budget.

Living room — AED 1,500–2,000

Sofa: AED 600–1,000. Look for expats leaving who need to sell quickly — you'll find West Elm and IKEA sofas in great condition. A 3-seater that cost AED 4,000 new often goes for under AED 1,000.

Coffee table: AED 150–300. Solid wood tables from Home Centre or IKEA are everywhere.

TV: AED 400–800 for a 55-inch smart TV that's a year or two old. Last year's Samsung or LG is functionally identical to this year's model.

TV stand: AED 100–200. Simple, functional, and easy to find.

Bedroom — AED 800–1,200

Bed frame: AED 300–500. IKEA MALM and HEMNES frames are the most common — sturdy, clean design, easy to transport.

Mattress: AED 200–400 for a barely-used one. Many expats sell mattresses they bought just months ago before relocating.

Bedside tables: AED 100–200 for the pair.

Wardrobe: AED 200–400. IKEA PAX systems are everywhere on the secondhand market — they come apart and reassemble easily.

Dining — AED 400–600

Dining table + chairs: AED 300–500 for a 4-seater. Wooden tables from JYSK, IKEA, or Home Centre are reliable finds.

Bar stools: AED 100 for a pair if you have a kitchen island.

Kitchen essentials — AED 300–500

Microwave: AED 80–150. Coffee machine: AED 100–250 (Nespresso machines hold value well but still sell for half price). Blender: AED 50–100. Pots and pans: AED 100–200 for a set.

Where to find the best deals

Timing is everything. The best deals appear during the summer months (July–August) when many expats leave the UAE for good. End of month is also strong — people moving between apartments need things gone fast. On Souq'd, filter by your emirate and sort by newest. Fresh listings from motivated sellers often have the best prices.

Collection logistics

For furniture, local collection is usually the way to go. Coordinate with the seller, inspect the item, and arrange a pickup van if needed — AED 100–200 for most moves. Apps like Fetchr and Careem Box offer quick pickup services across the UAE.

The smart expat approach

Think of preloved furniture as temporary. Buy it affordably when you arrive, use it while you're here, and sell it when you leave. Your apartment looks great, you spend less, and you're not stuck with furniture you can't take when you eventually move on. Many expats recover 60–70% of what they paid — making the true cost of furnishing your home surprisingly low.

Welcome to the UAE. Make it yours — without breaking the bank.