The cost to furnish a house, between $5,000 and $100,000, is among the most expensive endeavors in life for many, just below the cost of the home itself. Nonetheless, how you furnish a property is crucially important. For rental properties, furnishing and decoration impacts the rental rate, type of renters, rental experiences, renter reviews, and occupancy rate.
This article breaks down the cost of furnishing a house in the US, depending on the number and type of rooms, the square footage, the property use, and the amount and style of furnishings and decorations.
Before we dive into the details, here is the average cost of furnishing different rooms in a house:
- Entire house: $5,000-$100,000
- Master bedroom: $1,500-$20,000
- Guest bedroom: $1,000-$15,000
- Bathroom: $100-$4,000
- Kitchen: $1,000-$30,000
- Living room: $1,500-$25,000
- Dining room: $1,000-$18,000
- Home office: $500-$12,000
- Outdoor space: $500-$25,000
Here is the average cost of furnishing a home by size:
- Studio: $5,000-$12,000
- 1 bedroom house: $6,000-$17,000
- 2 bedroom house: $11,000-$22,000
- 3 bedroom house: $16,000-$27,000
- 4 bedroom house: $31,000-$32,000
- 5+ bedroom house: $36,000-$100,000+
Additionally, here is the cost to furnish a rental property:
- Airbnb property: $3,500-$40,000
- Furnished rental property: $4,000-$50,000
- Staging a property: $1,500-$4,000
Typical Costs to Furnish a House
There are a number of different costs for furnishing and decorating a residential property.
Major costs that homeowners or investors need to cover when furnishing their property include:
- Interior design: Owners without the necessary experience and skills might need a professional home designer or an online interior design tool. These can help formulate a comprehensive concept for furnishing the home and ensure that all rooms and spaces match well. The cost can vary from a few hundred dollars for a subscription to an online application to $10,000+ for full professional design
- Furniture items: The most expensive part of the process of furnishing a house is the actual cost of the furniture. The cost of furniture can be as little as $5,000 when purchasing second-hand items for a small property or can exceed $100,000 for luxury furniture for a large house with indoor and outdoor amenities
- Decor items: The cost of decor also varies. It can start from $0 for owners with a tight budget and low requirements, or can go above $20,000 for luxury properties with many rooms
- Delivery: If you purchase second-second furniture or buy different pieces from different stores, you might need to pay for delivery. However, in most cases furniture purchases above $1,000 benefit from a free delivery
- Assembly, installation, and setup: Unless you have the skills or work with one of the best design and furnishing companies, you will need to pay a separate fee to hire someone to assemble, install, mount, and set up all furniture and decor items. You can expect this to cost a few hundred dollars. In some cases, assembly and installation might be included in the price of the furniture, depending on the brand
- Removing old furniture: If you are refurbishing your old property instead of furnishing a new house, you need to get rid of existing furniture. The cost to do this might add up to another $1,000 for the entire house
How Much It Costs to Furnish an Average House
In 2024, the cost to furnish a house in the US is between $5,000 (for small, unpretentious properties) and $100,000+ (for large, luxury homes). The average cost to furnish a house is typically $10,000-$30,000 for a regular property and good quality furniture.
However, some owners manage to prepare their property for living or renting with as little as $3,000 or $4,000. To lower the budget this much, it’s necessary to provide only the most essential furniture pieces, go for cheap brands or refurbished furniture, and do a lot of legwork yourself.
Meanwhile, others spend upwards of $100,000 to furnish mansions with multiple rooms, bathrooms, and indoor and outdoor amenities (such as a home movie theater, gym, or swimming pool), but such budgets are not the norm in the US.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Furnishing a House
The total price of furnishing a residential property is determined by the following factors:
- Type of property: Furnishing a studio or apartment is easier and cheaper than a single family home or a townhouse due to smaller spaces and simpler needs
- Size of property: Square footage is one of the main determinants of cost. On average, each square foot costs about $10-$15 to furnish
- Number of bedrooms: Each bedroom comes with its own budget to furnish and decorate. Bigger or more numerous bedrooms cost more
- Number of bathrooms: Similarly, the more bathrooms there are in a property, the more it costs to get all of them ready
- Number and type of other rooms: Bigger homes with more rooms, such as dining rooms, guest rooms, home offices, home libraries, or laundry rooms, incur higher furnishing costs than smaller homes with just basic rooms
- Amenities: Availability of amenities can really make the difference between a basic home and a luxury house. However, the cost of setting up a swimming pool, hot tub, or home gym can really inflate the cost of furnishing
- Decor: Decorations are not a must in terms of functionality, but they are necessary to make a house feel cozy and complete. The corresponding cost can be anything from a few dollars to multiple thousands of dollars
- Intended property use: The costs to furnish a primary home, a short term rental, and a furnished rental are very different. While it makes sense to provide your home with high-quality, extra comfortable furniture and decor that suits your taste, it doesn’t make sense to go overboard on a property that you will be renting to different people every day
- Tier: Generally speaking, there are three tiers when it comes to furnishing a house: basic, standard, and luxury. The basic tier covers only the most essential and affordable furniture. The standard tier includes additional items such as solid wood frames, other natural materials, and decor. The luxury tier includes top-quality furniture and a full range of decor and accessories
- Furniture quality: Quality and brand of furniture have a major impact on the total cost
- Use of professional services: Hiring a professional interior designer incurs additional costs, but sourcing furniture via a design company can lower the cost by 10-20% as companies have access to industry discounts
- Budget: Homeowners and investors take into account their budget when deciding how much to spend on furnishing their property. Budgets of all sizes can result in well-furnished houses as long as you prioritize timeless designs, flow between rooms, and value for money
How Much It Costs to Furnish a House: By Room Type
The total cost of furnishing a house is the sum of the cost of furnishing each individual room.
The table below shows a breakdown of the price range for furnishing each type of room within three tiers: basic, standard, and luxury.
Average Cost to Furnish a Master Bedroom
The average cost of furnishing a primary bedroom is $3,000-$6,000, but the possible range is $1,500-$20,000. The exact cost depends on bedroom size, furniture type and number of items, tier, and selected decor.
The list of must-have bedroom furniture comprises:
- Queen or king bed frame
- Mattress
- Two nightstands
- Closet
- Dresser
- Ceiling light fixtures
- Curtains, shades, blinds, or other window treatments
Additionally, many bedrooms require:
- Two night lights
- Mirror
- Rug or runner
- Fan
- TV
- Storage units
- Bookshelves
- Decorations
Average Cost to Furnish a Guest Bedroom/Kids Bedroom
The average cost of furnishing an additional bedroom is $2,500-$5,000, but it can range between $1,000 and $15,000. The specific price is determined by purpose (guest bedroom or kids bedroom), size, necessary furniture, style, and furniture quality.
The most important furnishing items in a guest bedroom or a kids bedroom include:
- One or more twin or full bed frames
- One or more mattresses
- One or more nightstands
- Closet
- Desk (in a kids bedroom)
- Desk chair (in a kids bedroom)
- Ceiling light fixtures
- Curtains, shades, blinds, or other window treatments
Some extra items that are usually required in any bedroom are:
- Dresser
- One or more night lights
- Desk light
- Rug or runner
- Toy boxes (in a kids bedroom)
- Bookshelves
- Decorations
Average Cost to Furnish a Bathroom
The average cost of furnishing a bathroom is $200-$800, but the cost might be in the range of $100-$4,000.
It’s important to note that this cost to furnish a bathroom does not include the following items which are assumed to be already in place:
- Bathtub or shower cabin
- Sink
- Toilet unit
- Shower head
- Faucet
- Bathroom vanity
If these furniture items are not already present and installed in your bathroom, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $5,000 for them, potentially more if you demand top quality.
How much you pay to furnish a bathroom depends on size, style and design, quality of the items, and additional decor. Owners should keep in mind that most houses have two or three bathrooms, so the total cost needs to be multiplied by the number of bathrooms in the home.
The most crucial bathroom furniture pieces include:
- Shower curtain
- Shower liner
- Shower shelves
- Toilet paper holder
- Bath mat
- Waste basket
- Shampoo and soap dispensers
- Toilet brush
- Additional bathroom accessories such as toothbrush holders
Some nice-to-have bathroom items are:
- Makeup mirror
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Ironing board
Average Cost to Furnish a Kitchen
The average cost of furnishing a kitchen is $2,000-$10,000, but the potential range can be between $1,000 and $30,000. The main determinant of how much it costs to get your kitchen ready is whether it already has kitchen cabinets and a kitchen island. The cost of these items alone can range between $1,000 (for refurbished cabinets) and $20,000+ (for gourmet kitchens).
In addition, the cost also depends on size and space, materials used, appliances, quality and brands of furniture and appliances, and level of decor.
The main kitchen furnishings and appliances include:
- Kitchen cabinets and/or kitchen island
- Sink
- Faucet
- Dining table (for houses without a dining room)
- Dining chairs (for houses without a dining room)
- Fridge with freezer
- Hot plates
- Oven
- Dishwasher
- Laundry machine and dryer (for houses without a laundry room)
- Toaster
- Water kettle
- Garbage bin
- Waste basket
- Ceiling light fixtures
- Curtains, shades, blinds, or other window treatments
Commonly used additional kitchen items are:
- Shelves
- Hood
- Microwave
- Toaster
- Coffee machine
- Water cooler
- Blender
- Mixer
- Air fryer
- Rug or runner
- Decorations
Average Cost to Furnish a Living Room
The average cost of furnishing a living room is $3,000-$7,000, but the actual range can be anything between $1,500 (for small living rooms using second hand furniture) and $25,000 (for spacious, luxurious living rooms). This is a wide range because the size, furniture, and style of living rooms can be very different. The final cost depends on square footage, design, furniture, tier, and additional decorations.
The obligatory living room furniture list includes:
- Sofa, coach, or futon
- Coffee table
- TV
- TV console
- Ceiling light fixtures
- Curtains, shades, blinds, or other window treatments
The list of additional items to furnish a comfortable, welcoming living room is long, featuring:
- One or more armchairs or wing chairs
- One or more side tables
- Bookshelves
- One or more rugs or carpets
- Throw blankets and throw pillows
- Table linen
- Standing lamp
- Table lamps
- Fan
- Clock
- Fireplace
- Paintings and/or other wall art
- Vases, plants, and other decorations
Average Cost to Furnish a Dining Room
The average cost of furnishing a dining room is $2,500-$5,500, but depending on space and budget requirements, owners can expect to pay anything between $1,000 and $18,000. The exact price depends on size, style and quality of furniture, and use of decorative items.
The major dining room furniture pieces are:
- Dining table
- 4-8 side chairs
- China cabinet or buffet
- Ceiling light fixtures
- Curtains, shades, blinds, or other window treatments
In addition, for a comfortable dining room, homeowners and rental property investors can consider providing:
- Sideboard or console table
- Bar cart
- Shelves
- Rug or runner
- Paintings and/or other wall art
- Decorations
Average Cost to Furnish a Home Office
The average cost of furnishing a home office is $1,000-$2,500, but the range can easily be expanded between $500 (for small spaces with simple needs) and $12,000 (for luxury setups with a home library). The final price depends on how big the home office is, how well furnished it is, and what materials and brands are used.
The most important items to place in a home office setup for a comfortable work-from-home experience are:
- Desk
- Office chair
- Power strips
- Ceiling light fixtures
- Desk lights
- Curtains, shades, blinds, or other window treatments
Meanwhile, you can consider adding the following items for a full-scale home office:
- Bookshelves
- Bookcase
- Filing cabinet
- Laptop stand
- Laptop or desktop
- Keyboard
- Computer mouse
- Printer and scanner
- Rug or runner
- Paintings and/or other wall art
- Decorations
Average Cost to Furnish an Outdoor Space
The average cost of furnishing an outdoor space is $1,500-$5,000, but in reality it can be as little as $500 (for a small sitting area) and as much as $25,000 (for multiple amenities). Indeed, the cost of equipping the outdoor space is the most varied cost of furnishing a house because of the numerous options based on property type, size of the area, purpose, and budget.
The list of outdoor space items can include any of the following:
- Outdoor sitting furniture
- Outdoor dining furniture
- Patio furniture set
- Pool lounge chairs
- Pool umbrella
- Outdoor kitchen furniture
- Grill or barbeque
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Mini golf
- Kids playground
- Garbage bins
- Watering cans
- Landscaping
How Much It Costs to Furnish a House: By Number of Bedrooms
One of the main factors that determine the cost of furnishing a house is the number of bedrooms and other rooms available. After all, the more bedrooms a house has, the more furniture and decorative items it requires to ensure relaxing sleep and comfortable rest.
In 2024, US homeowners and property investors can expect the following standard furnishing costs by bedroom count:
- Average cost to furnish a studio: $5,000-$12,000
- Average cost to furnish a 1 bedroom house: $6,000-$17,000
- Average cost to furnish a 2 bedroom house: $11,000-$22,000
- Average cost to furnish a 3 bedroom house: $16,000-$27,000
- Average cost to furnish a 4 bedroom house: $31,000-$32,000
- Average cost to furnish a 5+ bedroom house: $36,000-$100,000+
Of course, the actual price for each of these property types can vary significantly depending on owner preferences, property style, local market trends, and available budget. In all cases, it’s a good idea to opt for classic interior designs that will not look ridiculous in a couple of years, as well as durable materials and brands that will not need to be changed in less than a decade.
How Much It Costs to Furnish a House: By Size
Obviously, the size of a property has a major impact on the cost of furnishing it. After all, the more empty space and the more rooms there are, the more furniture is needed to fill in the space. At the same time, owners should not overstuff their house with unnecessary furniture as this can create a bad experience for family or guests.
On average, every square foot costs about $10-$15 to furnish but can vary based on multiple factors.
This means that a small studio of about 500 square feet can be furnished for $5,000-$7,500, on average. Meanwhile, an average house of 2,500 square feet would require a budget of $25,000-$37,500, and a large property of 3,500 square feet or more would cost $35,000-$42,000+.
So, when buying a home to live in or an investment property to rent out, you should consider these average costs in your analysis. It’s better to purchase an affordable house that you can furnish and decorate comfortably than to overspend on the property itself and do a poor job with getting it inhabitable or rentable.
How Much It Costs to Furnish an Airbnb Property
The average cost of furnishing an Airbnb rental property in the US market is $3,500-$40,000. The range is a bit below the average cost to furnish a house to live in because hosts should not waste their money on luxury furniture and unnecessary decor items that short-term guests will never notice or make use of. However, a vacation rental needs to provide everything required for a comfortable stay in order to attract bookings, create positive experiences, and inspire 5-star reviews.
The main factors that should dictate your choice of Airbnb furniture and thus cost are:
- Comfort
- Ease of cleaning and maintenance
- Durability
- Appearance (choose items that would look welcoming on the listing photos)
- Timeless design
If you own a small vacation rental and opt for basic furniture with limited decors, it’s absolutely feasible to furnish it with a total of $3,500. However, this property is likely to bring below-average daily rates and minimum rental income.
On the other hand, furnishing a 4-5 bedroom house with top Airbnb amenities suitable for group stays will cost $35,000-$50,000. This short term rental will get booked for above-average nightly prices and generate good revenue, making the higher design and furnishing cost worth it.
In addition to budgeting for the price of furnishing their Airbnb, hosts should also take into consideration the cost of providing essential supplies. The total cost of Airbnb supplies is between $1,000 and $10,000, and they need to be periodically replaced. While things like toilet paper and paper tissues need to be added after each stay, supplies like bed linens and towels are changed about once a year, on average.
Following is a list of the Airbnb supplies for each room in the house:
Airbnb Bedroom Supplies
The most required supplies for each bedroom are:
- Two or more sets of linens per bed
- Two or more pillows per guest
- Duvets
- Light blankets
- Mattress protector
- Pillow protectors
- Duvet covers
- Throw cushions
- Paper tissues
- Clothes hangers
- A few books
Airbnb Bathroom Supplies
Each short term rental bathroom needs to provide:
- Two or more sets of towels per guest (different sizes)
- Bathrobes (optional, for luxury properties)
- Hand towels
- Floor towels (optional)
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Shower gel
- Hand soap
- Body lotion (optional, but can bring a nice touch)
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste (for additional guest comfort)
- Toilet paper
- Tissues
- Ear picks
- Makeup cotton pads
- Baby toiletries (if you target young families with small children)
Airbnb Kitchen Supplies
The kitchen needs the most supplies of all rooms, including:
- Cookware including pots, frying pans, and baking sheets
- Skillet or saucepan
- Colander
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring bowls or spoons (optionals)
- Cutting board
- Cooking utensils
- Knives
- Can opener
- Bottle opener
- Cutlery
- Kitchen scales (optional)
- Plates and dishes
- Coffee mugs
- Glasses
- Hand towels
- Sponges
- Dishwashing detergent
- Dishwasher detergent
- Hand soap
- Laundry detergent and softener
- Floor detergent
- All-purpose cleaner
- Floor mop
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Garbage bags
- Toothpicks
- Aluminum foil
- Cling foil
- Butter paper
- Drinking water (if the tap water is not good for drinking)
- Coffee and tea
- Oil and vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- Local spices and condiments (optional, but can bring a nice touch)
Airbnb Living Room Supplies
Some supplies to be provided in the living room of a vacation rental include:
- Paper tissues
- Board games
- Books and magazines
Airbnb Dining Room Supplies
A well-furnished dining room should offer the following supplies:
- Dining set
- Extra bowls and serving plates
- Cutlery
- Steak knives
- Cups and mugs
- Glasses
- Wine glasses
- Tablecloths and linen
- Tissues
Airbnb Outdoor Space Supplies
The list of supplies for outdoor spaces within Airbnb rentals depends on the space itself and the available amenities, potentially including:
- Pool towels
- Sunscreen
- Plastic table cloth
- Paper cups and plates
- Plastic utensils
- Barbeque set
- Barbeque charcoal
- Garbage bags
Airbnb Smart Home Supplies
It’s essential for an Airbnb business to equip a smart home that will allow for keyless check-ins and check-outs and that will enhance the safety of the house, the host, and the guests. Essential smart home devices include:
- Smart lock
- Smart thermostat
- Smart lighting
- Smart WiFi router
- Smart TV
- Streaming services
Additional Airbnb Supplies
A few other things that should be provided in each vacation rental for smooth stays include:
- Extra light bulbs
- Extra batteries of different sizes
How to Furnish an Airbnb Rental
The best way to design and furnish a short term rental property is to hire a professional company that specializes in this type of house. Summer provides top-quality vacation rental interior design and furnishing services that are available across the US market and match the needs and tastes of every property and every host.
Summer offers three different packages depending on the preferences of owners and their budget:
- Host Essentials Design for interior design, furniture selection assistance, and owner-driven procurement
- Guest Favorite Design for full-service including procurement and installation
- Luxury Launch Design for upgraded furniture selection and complete onboarding
The cost of furnishing an Airbnb with Summer starts at $10,000 and depends on the home size, location, level of furnishing, design, and owner input. Hosts can be as involved as they’d like. The process is headed by a New York-based interior designer with more than 10 years of experience in residential and commercial properties. Summer-furnished properties outperform at least 95% of comps in the area due to the comprehensive visions, the timeless designs, and the attention to detail.
For owners who need it, after furnishing, Summer is able to provide full-service vacation rental management services for properties furnished both by the company or by someone else.
How Much It Costs to Furnish a Furnished Rental
The average cost of furnishing a furnished rental is $4,000-$50,000. Furnishing a long term rental costs slightly more than furnishing an Airbnb. With long term tenants, it’s worth adding a bit of extra quality and value as they generally take better care of the properties they rent. Moreover, the tenants of furnished rentals tend to be traveling professionals and remote workers who have higher demands than other types of tenants.
Meanwhile, furnishing a rental property costs, on average, less than furnishing a primary home. It simply doesn’t make sense to spend a ton of money on furniture that will be eventually worn out by tenants unless you specialize in luxury rentals. Then the cost can easily exceed $50,000.
Whether you’re furnishing an Airbnb or a furnished long term rental, remember to include the furnishing and decorating cost in your investment analysis. You want to make sure that the cost will be worth it and will result in a positive return on investment.
How Much It Costs to Stage a House
The average cost of staging a house is $1,500-$4,000 for the first month.
This includes:
- Initial home consultation
- Furniture delivery and setup
- One month of furniture rental
Each additional month of home staging costs about $1,000.
The Bottom Line
The average cost to furnish a house is between $10,000 and $30,000 for most property types, but the price can range from $5,000 to $100,000+. The final cost depends on market, property type and size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities, style and tier, furniture quality, amount of decor, and house use. The property purpose (primary home vs rental property) and the owner budget should be the driving forces behind the choice of furniture and decor.
For furnishing an Airbnb, it’s worth checking out Summer. The company provides custom interior design and furniture options tailored to the needs of vacation rentals in each US market. Prices start at $10,000, and Summer-designed properties outperform the majority of local listings.
