Same Apartment, Completely Different Move
Last week we did two moves in the same JLT tower. Same floor plan, same building, same day. One client was moving into a furnished unit — she showed up with eight boxes of clothes, kitchenware, and personal items. Our two-man crew had her done in 90 minutes. The other was moving into the unfurnished version next door. A full 3-ton truck, a sofa that nearly didn't fit the elevator, and five hours of work.
The rent difference between those two apartments was AED 15,000 per year. The moving cost difference was AED 2,800. But the real gap isn't money — it's what each choice demands from you in the first week.
What "Furnished" Actually Means in Dubai
Furnished apartments in Dubai follow a rough standard, but there's no universal spec. Here's what you'll typically find included:
- Always included: Bed frame and mattress, sofa, dining table and chairs, wardrobe or built-in closet, washing machine, fridge, cooking hob/oven, air conditioning units
- Usually included: TV stand (sometimes a TV), microwave, basic curtains
- Almost never included: Bed linens, towels, kitchenware (plates, pans, utensils), bathroom supplies, decorative items, iron/ironing board
So "furnished" doesn't mean move-in-ready with nothing to buy. It means the big stuff is there. You still need to pack a suitcase worth of kitchen essentials, bedding, and bathroom items. Some serviced apartments include everything down to the spatula, but those rent at a premium — typically 30-50% above standard furnished rates.
The Inventory Check-In: Don't Skip This
When you move into a furnished apartment, the landlord or property manager will walk you through an inventory list. Every piece of furniture, every appliance, every visible scratch gets documented. Sign this carefully. Photograph everything — especially existing damage — on your phone with timestamps.
This inventory is your protection when you move out. If the dining table had a scratch when you moved in and you didn't document it, that's coming out of your deposit. Our move-out inspection guide covers this process in detail from the exit side.
What You Need to Bring to a Furnished Apartment
The move itself is light — essentially personal belongings and household essentials. Here's the typical shopping list for day one:
- Bedding: Duvet/comforter, pillows, sheets, pillow cases — budget AED 300-600 at IKEA or Home Centre
- Bathroom: Towels, bath mat, shower curtain (if not provided), toiletries — AED 150-300
- Kitchen essentials: Pots, pans, plates, cups, cutlery, cooking utensils, dish soap, sponges — AED 400-800
- Cleaning supplies: Vacuum cleaner (if not provided), mop, cleaning products — AED 200-400
- Personal comfort: Your own pillows, a throw blanket, speakers, photos for the walls — priceless
Total setup cost for a furnished apartment: AED 1,000-2,500 in household essentials. You'll spend this at IKEA Dubai Festival City or the Carrefour in your nearest mall.
What You Need for an Unfurnished Apartment (Everything)
An unfurnished apartment in Dubai comes with built-in kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, AC, and sometimes a built-in wardrobe. Everything else — including curtains — is on you.
The Curtain Requirement
Dubai law requires all residential windows to have coverings for privacy. Most buildings enforce this. Budget AED 1,500-4,000 for curtains in a 1-2 bedroom apartment, depending on window count and whether you go with basic blackout panels or fitted blinds. This surprises a lot of people — it's a non-optional expense that adds up fast.
Furnishing From Scratch: Budget Estimates
| Unit Type | Budget Furnishing | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | AED 8,000-12,000 | AED 12,000-20,000 | AED 20,000-35,000 |
| 1-Bedroom | AED 15,000-22,000 | AED 22,000-35,000 | AED 35,000-60,000 |
| 2-Bedroom | AED 25,000-35,000 | AED 35,000-55,000 | AED 55,000-100,000 |
Budget furnishing means IKEA and Home Centre for most items, Dubizzle for second-hand finds, and Dragon Mart for curtains and smaller accessories. Mid-range adds Pan Emirates, 2XL, and some Pottery Barn pieces. Premium is Crate & Barrel, West Elm, and custom carpentry.
The hidden cost people miss: delivery timing. You can't move into an unfurnished apartment and have everything delivered on day one. IKEA delivery takes 3-7 days. Custom curtains take 1-2 weeks. Appliance delivery is usually 2-5 days. Realistically, you'll be living with partial furniture for your first week or two unless you pre-order everything with coordinated delivery dates.
Moving Cost Comparison
| Move Type | Furnished (Personal Items Only) | Unfurnished (Full Household) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | AED 500-800 | AED 1,200-2,000 |
| 1-Bedroom | AED 800-1,500 | AED 2,000-3,500 |
| 2-Bedroom | AED 1,200-2,000 | AED 3,000-5,000 |
| 3-Bedroom | AED 1,500-2,500 | AED 4,500-6,500 |
The furnished move is lighter, faster, and cheaper because you're essentially moving personal belongings — boxes, not sofas. A professional apartment move for a furnished unit typically takes 2-3 hours versus 4-6 hours for an unfurnished equivalent.
Timeline: Move-In Ready vs Setup Phase
Furnished: Sleep in Your Bed Tonight
If your furnished apartment is properly inventoried and clean (ask the landlord to arrange professional cleaning before handover), you can be sleeping in your own bed on day one. Unpack clothes, hit Carrefour for kitchen basics, and you're home. Total setup time: 1-2 days to feel settled.
Unfurnished: A 1-2 Week Project
Expect this timeline:
- Days 1-2: DEWA/du/Etisalat connections, curtain measurements and ordering
- Days 3-5: Major furniture delivery (bed, sofa, dining table — order before key collection)
- Days 5-7: Appliance delivery (washing machine, microwave, vacuum)
- Days 7-14: Curtain installation, smaller items, decor, furniture assembly
Plan to spend your first 2-3 nights with a mattress on the floor, bare windows, and takeaway containers as your dining set. It's a rite of passage for every unfurnished mover in Dubai.
The Hidden Cost of Furnished: Moving Out
Here's what most furnished apartment tenants don't think about until move-out: you're financially responsible for every piece of that furniture. Stains on the sofa? Deducted from deposit. Scratch on the dining table? Deducted. Broken microwave handle? Deducted.
The deposit for furnished apartments is typically higher — 5-10% of annual rent versus 5% for unfurnished — because there's more to damage. And landlords are thorough during exit inspections. We've seen clients lose AED 3,000-5,000 from furnished apartment deposits for wear that would be considered normal in an unfurnished unit.
If you have kids, pets, or are generally rough on furniture, unfurnished might actually save you money in the long run despite the higher setup cost.
Which Should You Choose?
Go Furnished If:
- You're on a short-term contract (1-2 years) — the setup cost of unfurnished doesn't amortise
- You're new to Dubai and want to settle in quickly before committing to furniture purchases
- Your employer is covering housing — many expat packages include furnished accommodation
- You're a minimalist who doesn't want to own furniture
Go Unfurnished If:
- You're staying 3+ years — the savings on rent compound over time
- You already own furniture (relocating from another Dubai apartment or shipping from abroad)
- You have specific taste or size requirements — furnished apartment furniture is generic and often mid-quality
- You have kids or pets who will cause normal wear to the landlord's furniture
For either option, get a free moving estimate — we offer different packages sized to your actual move, whether it's 8 boxes or a full household. Check our packing guide for tips on protecting what you're bringing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to furnish an apartment in Dubai from scratch?
A studio costs AED 8,000–12,000 to furnish on a budget using IKEA and Dubizzle. A 1-bedroom runs AED 15,000–22,000, and a 2-bedroom costs AED 25,000–35,000. These figures include bed, sofa, dining set, curtains, basic appliances, and kitchen essentials. Mid-range furnishing with brands like Pan Emirates and 2XL doubles these numbers.
What's included in a furnished apartment in Dubai?
Standard furnished apartments in Dubai include bed frame and mattress, sofa, dining table with chairs, wardrobe, washing machine, refrigerator, and cooking appliances. They typically do NOT include bed linens, towels, kitchenware (plates, pots, utensils), or bathroom supplies. Budget AED 1,000–2,500 for these essentials on day one.
Is it cheaper to rent furnished or unfurnished in Dubai?
Unfurnished apartments are 15-25% cheaper in annual rent — saving AED 10,000–25,000 per year on a 1-2 bedroom apartment. However, initial furnishing costs AED 15,000–35,000 for a 1-bedroom. If you stay 2+ years, unfurnished is usually cheaper overall. For stays under 18 months, furnished often wins financially.
