Furnishing an apartment in Germany: what you need and where to buy it

By: Simon Heinrich – Last updated: 02/2026 

You’ll feel most at home once every room does its job: in the bedroom you need to sleep well and store clothes, in the kitchen you need to cook, and in the bathroom you need hygiene basics. The living room is your place to unwind and often where guests sit, and a dedicated workspace lets you study or work without constantly improvising.

There’s a simple rule for getting started: buy small, essential items locally (supermarkets and drugstores, and a hardware store if needed) so you have what you need right away. Order bulky items like mattresses, furniture, and large appliances online, or buy them from electronics and furniture stores that offer delivery and, in some cases, installation.

Also take a look at our article on moving in, so you don’t miss any important step.

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Bedroom (sleeping and storage)

In the bedroom, the priority is sleeping well and giving your clothes a proper place. Once that’s set up, everything else gets easier.

What you need:

  • Bed with a mattress
  • Bedding and pillows
  • Wardrobe, or a clothes rail combined with shelves and a dresser
  • Clothes hangers
  • A ceiling light and a small bedside lamp
  • Curtains or a blackout blind
  • Laundry hamper

Where to buy:

  • Buy locally right away: Bedding, pillows, a blanket, and simple curtains are easy to pick up quickly at a supermarket, drugstore, or larger department store
  • Order for convenience: It’s usually easiest to have a mattress, bed frame, and wardrobe delivered
  • Used can be great: Wardrobes, dressers, and bedside tables are often cheap on Kleinanzeigen

Links:

Living room (relaxing and hosting)

The living room should start feeling “home” quickly. You mainly need seating, lighting, and storage.

What you need:

  • Sofa or armchair
  • Coffee table or side table
  • Storage such as shelves, a sideboard, or a dresser
  • A ceiling light and a floor lamp
  • Textiles like cushions, a throw blanket, and a rug
  • Curtains

Where to buy:

  • Buy locally right away: A temporary lamp and a few small basics are easy to pick up at a hardware store or furniture store
  • Order for convenience: Have a sofa and larger pieces delivered, especially if you don’t have a car
  • Used can be a bargain: Shelves, sideboards, and tables are often available at great prices second-hand

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Kitchen (cooking and storing food)

In the kitchen, you only need a small set of basics at first so you can eat and clean up. Later you can choose appliances and furniture more deliberately.

What you need:

  • Trash bin
  • Plates, glasses, and cups
  • Cutlery
  • Pots and a pan
  • A kitchen knife, chopping board, wooden spoon, and spatula
  • Dish towels, sponges, and a dish brush
  • Electric kettle, and optionally a coffee machine or toaster
  • A ceiling light
  • If you have space: a table and chairs

If there is no fitted kitchen:
Then you also need at least a sink, a work surface, base cabinets, and the major appliances like a fridge and a stove with an oven. Whether you go for a complete package with installation or build it step by step depends on your budget, time, and how long you plan to stay.

Where to buy:

  • Buy locally right away: Cutlery, dish soap, sponges, trash bags, and basic kitchen items are fastest at a supermarket and drugstore
  • Order for convenience or buy from an electronics store: A kettle, microwave, fridge, and stove are easy to get delivered and often come with service options
  • Used can work: A table, chairs, and shelves. For major appliances, only buy used if condition and transport are truly clear; in most cases, ordering new is the safer option

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Workspace (work and studying)

A dedicated workspace saves you a lot of day-to-day stress. What matters most is a comfortable seat, good lighting, and basic organization.

What you need:

  • Desk and desk chair
  • Desk lamp
  • Shelves or a rolling cabinet for storage
  • Pens and office supplies
  • Trash bin
  • Power outlets within reach
  • Computer or laptop, and optionally a printer

Where to buy:

  • Buy locally right away: A temporary desk and lamp are easy to pick up from a furniture store if you need to work immediately
  • Order for convenience: An ergonomic chair and a larger desk, because selection and delivery make a big difference here
  • Used can be great: Desks and shelves. With chairs, be more critical about condition

Links:

Bathroom (hygiene and comfort)

In the bathroom, it’s about hygiene and the small items you really miss if you don’t have them.

What you need:

  • Mirror
  • Shower curtain and bath mat
  • A ceiling light
  • Towels
  • Towel hooks or a towel rail
  • Toilet paper holder and toilet brush
  • Soap dispenser or soap dish
  • Small trash bin
  • Optional storage such as a vanity cabinet or mirrored cabinet

Where to buy:

  • Buy locally right away: Almost everything at a drugstore and supermarket
  • Order for convenience: Bathroom furniture once you know the measurements
  • Used: Usually not worth it for bathroom items; it’s rarely a good fit

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Hallway (arrival and keeping things tidy)

The hallway prevents shoes, jackets, and keys from ending up everywhere. When the hallway is organized, the whole apartment feels more put together.

What you need:

  • Coat rack or wall hooks
  • Shoe rack or shoe cabinet
  • Mirror
  • Ceiling light
  • Doormat
  • Optional key board or key tray

Where to buy:

  • Buy locally right away: A doormat and hooks at a hardware store or budget home store
  • Order for convenience: Have a shoe cabinet and coat rack delivered
  • Used can be great: Coat racks and shoe cabinets are often very cheap second-hand

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Also useful (for any apartment)

Some items are useful no matter which room you’re in because they cover repairs, cleaning, and daily life.

What you need:

  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Broom, bucket, and cleaning supplies
  • Drying rack and laundry basket
  • Ironing board and iron, if you use them
  • Tools such as screwdrivers, a hammer, and ideally a cordless screwdriver
  • Extension cords and power strips
  • Washing machine (critical: Saturn recommended for excellent installation service – connection, water/power, old appliance removal clearly visible/plannable with Saturn shipping)

Where to buy:

  • Buy locally right away: Cleaning supplies and detergent at a drugstore and supermarket, basic tools at a hardware store
  • Order conveniently: Vacuum cleaner and washing machine (transport cumbersome; Saturn offers transparent/plannable installation service for products shipped by Saturn
  • Used can work: Shelves, tables, and tools. Be cautious with washing machines

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Buying used: Kleinanzeigen is often worth it

If you’re okay with second-hand items, Kleinanzeigen is especially useful for large furniture like wardrobes, shelves, and tables, and sometimes even kitchen modules. Used items can be the fastest and cheapest add-on, because in many cities you can pick things up within a day or two instead of waiting for delivery.

The trade-off is that you usually need transport and often at least one other person to help carry heavy pieces. In practice, the best setup is a mix: buy essentials locally, order a few key items new, and use Kleinanzeigen for everything that works well second-hand. That way you can furnish step by step, shape the place to your own taste, and end up with a home you genuinely enjoy, not just an apartment that’s somehow furnished.

To keep it stress-free:

  • Measure doors, hallways, and staircases, and check that the furniture will actually fit (including diagonally)
  • Plan transport and pickup realistically, especially for heavy items
  • Only buy electrical appliances if condition, functionality, and the handover are clearly verifiable