It’s been just over four months since I picked up the keys for my flat. Since that joyous day, I’ve been really busy trying to furnish the place. I’d still like to add some finishing touches such as curtains and bar stools, but due to other financial commitments, I’ve had to put some these big home purchases on hold for now.
Filling the place has been wayyyy more expensive than I initially anticipated, although I must admit I’ve spent quite a lot of money on non-essentials. For the sake of transparency, I thought I’d share a breakdown of how much it’s cost me to furnish my home as a first time buyer. Here are a few things to consider when reading through the list:
- I was fortunate enough to have some of the essentials already. For example, I had a microwave, kettle, toaster and other kitchen items from when I rented a flat a couple of years ago
- I also have a number of items that have been donated to me by friends and family members
- Since my flat is a new build, many kitchen appliances are already included such as a fridge freezer, dishwasher and oven
- Buying a new build comes with the added benefit of not having to decorate as a matter of urgency or fit a new kitchen/bathroom etc
- Since the stamp duty rules were overhauled just days before I completed on my purchase, I saved a few hundred quid that could be used towards my deposit
- I got my mortgage through Habito & they have a generous referral scheme. Updated in August 2020: The referral scheme has changed since I originally wrote this post. No longer does Habito offer cash for referrals. Instead, they offer John Lewis vouchers. If you’d like to use Habito as your mortgage broker, sign up with my refer a friend link and you and I will each earn a £50 John Lewis voucher on successful completion of your mortgage.
This list has been surprisingly more difficult to compile than I anticipated and I’ve had to make a few estimations. For example, I can’t remember exactly how much the cushions in my living room costed, but I do know they were from HomeSense and I can give you a rough estimate! I’ve tried to go into as much detail as possible.
The items in bold can be seen in the pictures I’ve embedded from Instagram.
Living room
Sofa – Ikea – VALLENTUNA – £600
Arm chair – Ikea – STOCKSUND – £325
Arm chair – Ikea – STRANDMOM – £125
TV bench – Ikea – LIATORP – £180
Side table – Ikea – FINEDE – £17
Mirror – Ikea – MINDE – £14
Bookcase – Ikea – LIATORP – £169
2 x Blinds – Ikea – LISELOTT – £28
Wardrobe – Ikea – PAX – £280
Lamp – HomeSense – £30
Fabric storage boxes – HomeSense – £20
2 x drying rack – Ikea – JALL – £10
Globe – HomeSense – £17
TV and sound bar – John Lewis – £674
4 frames – Wilko – £35
Blue patterned cushion and mustard yellow cushion – HomeSense – ~£30
Large cream cushion with flower and bird pattern – HomeSense – £30
Stained Glass 3 Print, A2 Framed – iamfy.co – £44
My Tights Are Tight Print A2 Unframed – iamfy.co – £23
Pacific Lullaby Print, A1 Framed – iamfy.co – £63
The Cave Print, Framed – Desenio – £45
Barcelona Print, A3 Framed – iamfy.co – £30
Total: £2,789
Kitchen
Blinds – Ikea – LISELOTT – £14
Bench – Ikea -NORRAKER – £40
Plants – Ikea – £80 (these plants are spread out throughout my flat)
Clock – HomeSense – £20
Candle – HomeSense – £10
Oven gloves – The Range – £6
Washing up bowl – The Range £2.50
Chopping board – Ikea -LEGITIM – £2
Frying pan – Ikea – SMAKSATTA – £15
Grill pan – Ikea – SMAVAR – £16
Colander – Ikea – GEMAK – £5.50
Strainer – Ikea – IDEALISK – £1.80
Chopping boards – B&M – £3
Baking tray – B&M – £1.50
Rear Window Print, Unframed – Minuscule Motion – £9.07
Total: £226.37
Things I didn’t need to buy – Kettle, toaster, microwave, cutlery and most pots and pans.
Bathroom
Toilet roll holder – TK Maxx – £12.99
Sparkly toilet brush – Dunelm – £10
Blinds – Ikea – LISELOTT -£14
Shelving unit – Ikea – VILTO – £40
Candle – HomeSense – £9.99
Towels – TK Maxx – £80.91
Frida Print, Unframed – Minuscule Motion – £9.07
Total: £176.96
Bedroom
Double bed with storage – Ikea – NORDLI – £279 *
Mattress – Ikea – HOVAG – £200
Wardrobe – Ikea – PAX – £210
Chest of drawers – Ikea – NORDLI – £170
Blinds – Ikea – LISELOTT – £18
Fabric storage boxes – HomeSense – £19.98
Large storage basket – HomeSense – £16.99
Medium storage basket – HomeSense – £12.99
Laundry basket – Home Sense – £14.99
King size quilt – B&M – £24.99
King size duvet cover – HomeSense – £29.99
King size duvet cover – Debenhams – £45
2 x fitted sheet – Ikea – £14
4 x Pillow cases – Ikea – £6
Mattress protector – Ikea – KATTOST – £12
Fitted sheet – Ikea – NATTJASMIN – £15
Fabric coat hangers – HomeSense – £7.99
New York Violet Manhattan Print – iamfy.co – £22
A Saccharine Cloud Print, A2 Unframed – iamfy.co – £23
Call It Meow Print, A2 Unframed – iamfy.co – £23
Innocence of Thoughts Print, A2 Unframed – iamfy.co – £20
4 x A2 Frames – £59.96
Total: £1,244.88
En-Suite
Toilet roll holder – TK Maxx – £12.99
Toilet brush – Ikea – MJoSA – £5.90
Magnifying mirror – Ikea – TRENSUM – £4
Candle – HomeSense – £9.99
Green Mug – Oliver Bonas – £7.50
Big Fish Print, Unframed – Minuscule Motion – £9.07
Total: £49.45
Office
Computer Monitor – Amazon – £113.97
Desk – Ikea – MALM – £95
Chair – Ikea – ORFJALL/SPORREN – £45
Shelving unit – Ikea – DRAGET – £19
Mirror – Ikea – MINDE – £14
Wardrobe – Ikea – PAX – £210
Fabric storage boxes – HomeSense – £23.97
Blinds – Ikea – LISELOTT – £18
2 x File Holder – £15.98
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Print, Unframed – Minuscule Motion – £9.07
Total: £563.99
Grand Total: £5,050.65
