How Much Does it Cost to Furnish a House? A Cost Breakdown: Room by Room

Est Reading Time: 12 Mins

Are you a new homeowner? Congratulations on this significant milestone! Purchasing a home is an exciting yet challenging process, and now that you have the keys, it's time to turn that house into a home by filling it with furniture.

However, after making such a large investment, you may be wondering, "How much will it cost to furnish my home?" At La-Z-Boy, we've been helping people furnish their homes for over 90 years. While we are well-known for our iconic recliners, La-Z-Boy also offers a wide range of high-quality, comfortable furniture for every room in your home.

This article provides a detailed cost breakdown for furnishing a home, room by room, so you can create a budget that works for you.

Key Takeaways:

Budgeting is crucial when furnishing a new home since it helps guide your decisions and prioritize spending.
Furniture costs vary greatly depending on quality, material, and room size. For this article, we’ll be looking at the average cost of each furniture item and decor so you can better gauge how you want to budget your spending.
This guide offers a breakdown of costs for essential furniture in each room. The Rooms we will cover are the living room, dining room, bedroom, basement and your backyard (if applicable).
Interior design services, like those offered by La-Z-Boy, can help you maximize your budget and style. They can also help with any size project, including an entire home.
Consider additional costs like delivery and protection plans when planning your budget.

In This Article…

Creating a Furnishing Budget
Cost Breakdown: Room-by-Room
The Grand Total of Furnishing a House
Additional Cost Considerations

Creating a Furnishing Budget

Before we list each price range for each room, you might be wondering where you should start. Well, creating a budget is a good place to begin. But how does one make a furnishing budget?

The first step is understanding what you need to furnish. This means considering the size of your home and the number of rooms you need to fill. Listing your essential furniture items is also a great place to start since it’ll help you determine what you want in each room. If you own some pieces, that's great—it will save you money.

This budget should cover the fundamental furniture necessary to make your house functional and comfortable. Extras like decor and artwork can be added later as your budget allows.

Here’s what your furnishing budget should include:

A Furnishing Budget SHOULD Include:	A Furnishing Budget Should NOT Include:
Furniture Rugs Artwork Accessories/Decor Light Fixtures	Paint Mouldings/Trim Work Cabinetry Flooring Stone Work Countertops Electronics Appliances

Next, decide where to save and where to splurge. Go through your list and determine which items are worth investing more in and where you can opt for more budget-friendly options.

Cost Breakdown: Room-by-Room

Furnishing a house involves many decisions. To help, here’s a breakdown of the typical costs associated with furnishing each room.

Living Room

The living room is often the most significant investment in your home due to its central role in entertaining and relaxation. Costs here can vary based on room size, the number of pieces, and the type of materials (e.g., leather vs. fabric).

Furniture	Average Cost Range
Sofa	$1,000 – $3,000+
Accent Chair	$400 – $1,500+
Coffee Table	$200 – $2,000+
End Tables	$150 – $1,000+
Lamp	$200 – $900+
Area Rug	$200 – $5,000+
Artwork	$250 – $1,200+
Curtains / Drapes	$300+ per set

Total Cost to Furnish Living Room: $2,700 – $12,000+

At La-Z-Boy, furnishing a living room can range between $8,000 to $25,000, depending on your selections. To learn more about the cost of furnishing a living room with La-Z-Boy furniture, take a look at this article.

Bedroom

Your bedroom is your sanctuary. The cost will depend on the room size and the type of furniture you select particularly the bed frame.

Furniture	Average Cost Range
Bed Frame	$150 – $2,500+
Nightstands	$100 – $1,000+
Bedroom Lighting (Lamps)	$200 – $900+
Dresser	$300 – $2,000+
Full-Length Mirror	$50 – $550
Accent Chair or Bench	$400 – $1,000+
Area Rug	$100 – $4,000+
Decor / Accessories	$250 – $1,200
Window Coverings	$300+ per set

Total Cost to Furnish Bedroom: $2,050 – $13,750+

Purchasing a coordinated bedroom set can streamline the process and potentially reduce costs. To learn more about the cost of furnishing a bedroom, take a look at this article.

Basement

The basement is versatile—it could be a cozy family room, a home theatre, or even a gym. The cost varies widely depending on how you plan to use the space.

Furniture	Average Cost Range
Sofa	$500 – $5,000
Sectional	$700 – $5,000
Coffee Table	$200 – $1,800
End Tables	$150 – $1,300
Entertainment Unit	$600 – $3,500
Lamp	$200 – $900
Area Rug	$100 – $4,000
Artwork/Accessories	$250 – $1,200

Total Cost to Furnish Basement: $2,700 – $22,700+

The reason why the cost is more than a living room is because the basement covers more ground, meaning you’d probably want to fit more down there if you’re able to. To learn more about the cost of furnishing a basement, take a look at this article.

Dining Room

The dining room is where memories are made. Invest in quality furniture that will stand the test of time.

Furniture	Average Cost Range
Dining Room Table	$150 – $4,000+
Dining Room Chairs (per chair)	$100 – $2,000+
Buffet / Sideboard	$100 – $30,000+
Bar Cart	$50 – $5,000+
Area Rug	$200 – $2,000+
Chandelier	$200 – $300+
Artwork	$250 – $1,200+

Total Cost to Furnish Dining Room: $1,400 – $61,000+

Dining rooms can either combine with the kitchen area or be its own separate space. It all depends on how much space you have and if it will obstruct your traffic within your kitchen. After all, no one likes a crowded cooking area!

To learn more about the cost of Furnishing a dining room, take a look at this article.

Backyard / Patio Furniture

If you love the outdoors, your patio or backyard might be just as important as any room inside your home. Although La-Z-Boy doesn’t sell any outdoor furniture, we still acknowledge that many people love spending time outside.

Furniture	Average Cost Range
Patio Set (Couch, Chair, Side Tables)	$400 – $2,000
Bistro Set	$90 – $250
Dining Set	$200 – $2,500
Decorative Lighting	$30 – $200

Total Cost to Furnish Patio: $720 – $4,950

It is important to note that all backyards do not need all of these furniture items. Every backyard is different, and may not require an outdoor dining set to look great. As with every room, it’s about what you want and what your space allows.

The Grand Total to Furnish a Home

So, that was a lot of numbers thrown all at once! But, what’s the total cost to furnish a home? Based on these estimates, you can expect to spend anywhere from $13,000 to $100,000, depending on your choices.

Now, this is a huge range. As mentioned before, this takes into consideration the quality of the furniture, as well as your space. The better the quality, the more expensive it will become. However, there are more than just furniture costs that can affect your total as well…

Additional Cost Considerations

Furnishing a home involves more than just the cost of furniture. Here are some additional expenses to keep in mind:

Protection Plan Fees

Protect your investment by opting for additional protection plans, which cover accidental damage not included in the manufacturer’s warranty. To learn more about La-Z-Boy’s warranty, read this article.

Interior Designer Fees

Consider hiring an interior designer if you need help selecting and coordinating furniture. La-Z-Boy offers complimentary design services, which can save you significant costs. To learn more about What to Expect from La-Z-Boy Interior Designers, read this article.

Delivery Fees

Don’t forget about delivery fees, which can range from $60 to $200 depending on the service level. La-Z-Boy offers a White Glove delivery service starting at $129.99 in Ottawa and Kingston and $169.99 for out-of-town deliveries.

For an additional fee of $25 per furniture piece, we can assist with either moving out old furniture from different rooms or bringing it to the curb.

Additionally, we offer the option to dispose of any old furniture in a local landfill at an extra charge of $50 / per furniture seat.

To learn more about our Delivery Services, take a look at this article.

What’s Next?

Furnishing a whole home is a significant investment. It might be more manageable to start with the key rooms and gradually complete the rest as your budget allows. Also, consider financing options to spread out the cost over time.

At La-Z-Boy, we offer a wide variety of furniture for every room in your home, with a focus on quality, comfort, and craftsmanship. Visit one of our Ottawa or Kingston showrooms or schedule a visit online to get started.

Additionally, don't miss the opportunity to utilize our interior designers, who can assist you in creating a design project that harmonizes seamlessly with your home.

If you’re interested in learning more about Shopping at La-Z-Boy, here is our comprehensive shopping guide.

Nicholas Carchidi

Content Writer at StyleMeetsComfort.ca

Nick has been the lead content writer for La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston since 2022, specializing in the furniture industry. He collaborates with experts in his field, ensuring that each piece on the La-Z-Boy Learning Centre is accurate and valuable. He provides readers with expert knowledge on all things furniture. If you'd like to learn more about Nick, you can check out his LinkedIn page here.