Furniture
Beds and mattresses, sofa, dining table and chairs, coffee table, storage, mirrors, bedside tables. This is the biggest line — and the one where quality matters most for a rental, because furniture takes daily wear from guests or tenants.
Furnishing budget · Dubai
How much does it cost to furnish an apartment in Dubai?
The cost of furnishing an apartment in Dubai depends less on the sofa you pick than on everything around it: décor, linen, delivery, installation, building permits and — if you live abroad — your own time. At BuildSure, a complete rental-ready apartment costs AED 35,000 for a studio (up to 38 m²), AED 55,000 for a 1BR (up to 80 m²) and AED 80,000 for a 2BR (up to 120 m²), VAT included. This guide breaks down what goes into that budget so you can compare with any other approach.
The cost of furnishing an apartment in Dubai depends less on the sofa you pick than on everything around it: décor, linen, delivery, installation, building permits and — if you live abroad — your own time. At BuildSure, a complete rental-ready apartment costs AED 35,000 for a studio (up to 38 m²), AED 55,000 for a 1BR (up to 80 m²) and AED 80,000 for a 2BR (up to 120 m²), VAT included. This guide breaks down what goes into that budget so you can compare with any other approach.
Cost items
What goes into the cost of furnishing an apartment in Dubai
A rental-ready apartment is more than furniture. When you budget, list every line:
Décor and lighting
Plants, artwork, lamps, LED lighting, cushions, rugs, curtains. Often underestimated, yet it's what makes listing photos stand out.
Wall treatments
A feature wall — for example wood and marble-effect panels with LED behind the TV — adds a premium look but requires manufacturing and installation.
Household linen
Bedding, duvets, pillows, towels. For short-term rentals, plan for several sets per bed to cover turnovers.
Delivery, assembly and installation
Every supplier delivers separately; someone has to receive, assemble and position.
Building permits and access
In Dubai's residential towers, deliveries and contractors need clearance from the building or community management. That means applications, time slots and follow-up — see our guide to the move-in permit.
For short-term rentals: compliance
A holiday home must meet the requirements of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DTCM). Budget for the permit and any required equipment. With BuildSure, the DTCM / DET permit is handled for you and included in the package price.
By unit type
Studio, 1BR, 2BR: what it costs with BuildSure
All prices are VAT included.
Up to 38 m²How much to furnish a studio apartment?With BuildSure, a studio up to 38 m² is AED 35,000, VAT included, fully furnished, decorated, with linen and building permits handled. In a studio, space planning drives the result: a bespoke bed and storage sized to the wall, and — for short-term rentals — a design sofa bed that adds sleeping capacity.AED 35,000VAT incl.Book this packageUp to 80 m²How much to furnish a 1 bedroom apartment?Our 1BR package is AED 55,000, VAT included, for units up to 80 m². It covers the bedroom, living and dining areas, TV wall, décor and linen.AED 55,000VAT incl.Book this packageUp to 120 m²And a 2 bedroom apartment?AED 80,000, VAT included, for units up to 120 m².AED 80,000VAT incl.Book this package
Larger units (above 120 m², 3BR and more): quoted from the floor plan.Talk to us →<a href="/en/furniture-packages-prices/">See our prices by unit type</a>
Comparing approaches
Three ways to furnish — and what each really costs
| DIY, piece by piece | Standard furniture package | Turnkey (BuildSure) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you pay for | Each item, each delivery, each installer | A bundle of catalogue furniture | One fixed price per unit type |
| What it costs you in time and risk | Shopping, coordinating deliveries, building permits, assembly — hard to do from abroad | Sizes are generic; décor, wall treatments, linen and permits may be extra — check each quote | Bespoke furniture, décor, wall panelling, linen and building permits included; rental-ready in 3 weeks to 1 month |
We don't publish competitors' prices or "market averages" here: we haven't found an official, dated source for them, and averages hide very different scopes. The fair comparison is scope against scope. Ask any supplier whether their quote includes décor, linen, installation and building permits.
Market averages
What is the average cost of furnishing an apartment?
There's no official benchmark for Dubai.
The honest answer is a range that depends on area, quality and scope. What you can do is compare like for like: a fixed-price, all-inclusive package on one side; the sum of items, deliveries, fees and your own time on the other.
Furnishing from abroad
Hidden costs when you furnish from abroad
- Flights and hotelto be there for deliveries.
- Time off workto receive installers or chase a permit.
- Idle weekseach week the apartment isn't ready is a week without rent.
- Reworkfurniture that doesn't fit the room, returns, second deliveries.
- Building rulesmissed delivery slots or missing permits can push work back.
A turnkey package absorbs most of these: one contact, one price, one date.
Before you decide
Bespoke, long-term: two more questions
Custom vs off-the-shelf: does bespoke cost more?
Not necessarily in a package. Because we manufacture in our own factory, bespoke is built into our fixed prices rather than charged as a premium. What changes is fit and durability.
Custom vs off-the-shelf: budget impact →Is furnishing worth it for a long-term rental?
It depends on your target tenant and your plans. We compare both options in our guide.
Furnished or unfurnished: is it worth it? →Invesure · buyBuildSure · furnishBnbSure · rent
Planning your first purchase in Dubai?
Invesure, our sister real estate agency, helps investors buy off-plan in Dubai. Knowing your furnishing budget in advance — fixed by unit type — makes it easier to plan the whole investment. Message us and we'll introduce you.
Already a client of Invesure or BnbSure? Enjoy preferential pricing on your furnishing.Buying, furnishing, rental management — in any combination.
Talk investment on WhatsApp →
AI-generated illustrationInvesure · buyBuildSure · furnishBnbSure · rent
And then, rental management?
BnbSure, our group's short-term rental management agency, can take over once your apartment is rental-ready. Message us and we'll make the introduction.
Already a client of Invesure or BnbSure? Enjoy preferential pricing on your furnishing.Buying, furnishing, rental management — in any combination.
Talk rental management on WhatsApp →
Read next
More on the blog
Shipping furniture vs buying locally
The full calculation, shipping and delays included.
Read the article →Amenities list, room by room
What to plan for, and what gets forgotten.
Read the article →FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to furnish a small apartment in Dubai?
For a studio up to 38 m², BuildSure's all-inclusive package is AED 35,000, VAT included.
Is VAT included in your prices?
Yes. All package prices are final client prices, VAT included.
What is not included?
Renovation and fit-out works (flooring, kitchen, bathroom) are not part of our current offer. Otherwise, a package includes everything needed to make the apartment rental-ready, including everything short-term rental regulations require (DTCM standards).
How long before the apartment earns rent?
From order to rental-ready: 3 weeks to 1 month.
Can I get a price for a larger unit?
Yes — send us your floor plan on WhatsApp for a quotation.
Your budget
Get a precise number for your unit
See what turnkey includes, or send us your unit type and area — +971 58 534 0074.