So you found your amazing new home in Portugal, now it’s time to get it furnished! To some this can be the fun part, to others can be a bit overwhelming and a headache. Either way, Savvy Cat Realty has your back!
In this week's blog post we’ll cover if you should opt for unfurnished or furnished and the pros and cons of both, where you can buy furniture according to your needs and the average cost.
All to help your new place feel more
like your true home!
Should I rent / buy furnished
or unfurnished?
The most obvious answer to this question is
“it depends on your needs” especially your most immediate needs:
Furnished
Pros:
When moving abroad, you might not have time to furnish your new place right away, so renting or buying it already furnished may be a good advantage. Another pro for opting for furnished places is that you end up saving money, which during the initial phase of adaptation in Portugal can be extremely important.
There is also the option of semi-furnished houses, which in most cases means the kitchen is either fully equipped or only has the most essential appliances, as well as a washing machine.
Cons:
The biggest con in buying or renting a house already furnished is that in a lot of cases the furniture is outdated, old or just not in the best conditions. In case of renting already furnished, you may be limited in changing the furniture or buying new stuff.
One thing that often goes unnoticed is the mattress! Don’t forget to check the mattress before renting for any problems!
Unfurnished
Pros:
Of course, the biggest advantage of buying or renting unfurnished is the freedom to choose the furniture and decoration of the house according to your own taste, which can make a huge difference in making you feel comfortable and at home!
Cons:
Not much to say about the cons except the obvious: it’s expensive and time consuming. Furnishing and decorating on your own will take a lot of time and planning, as well as a significant amount of money.
In case of renting, there is also the extra cost of having to take everything out if you move out.
Where to buy furniture?
There are several stores that offer a wide range of furniture, decoration items and household appliances. The most famous ones are:
There are many more and you can also find a lot of great items in bigger supermarkets like Continente, Intermarché, Pingo Doce, etc
Additionally, there are smaller brands all over Portugal with high quality furniture! It would be impossible to list them all, but we’ll you some worth checking out:
How much does it cost?
Furnishing an apartment in Portugal will depend on the quality of the furniture and appliances you decide to buy. In general, you can spend on average between 3000€ and 10.000€.
To get a real sense of how much the most basic furniture costs, we’ll leave below some price range examples. Of course, the price will depend on the size and quality of the item:
Sofá: ~ 350€ to ~1000€;
Dinner table: ~ 200€ to ~500€;
Double bed: ~150€ to ~800€;
Double bed mattress: ~100€ to ~600€;
Closet: ~ 150€ to ~ 300€;
Bedside tables: ~ 20€ each to ~100€ each;
Electric oven: ~400€ to ~900€;
Washing machine: ~450€ to ~900€;
Microwave: ~80€ to ~200€;
Like we mentioned, the prices above will depend on a lot of factors and it’s possible to find them cheaper or more expensive. Everything will depend on your style and how much you want to spend/invest. The first step to saving money is to research prices thoroughly.
Other ways you can save when furnishing your home is buying second-hand furniture. You can find great items in OLX, Custo Justo, Vinted, vintage and antique stores, etc. There are also small and family owned businesses that tend to have more affordable prices than the big chains, so it's important to compare prices.
It’s important to do a thorough search and planning in order to find the best furniture and decoration for your taste while saving the greatest amount of money!
Hope this article was helpful, any questions you might have feel free to contact us! We are always available at contact@savvycatrealty.com or savvycat@spartanfx.co.uk if you need any assistance ;)