Clients often ask me how much does it cost to furnish a house? What we imagine it will cost to furnish a room and what it actually does is very different. Not many people actually plan to purchase the furniture and accessories for a whole room (or even an entire house) all at one time. Unless you’re luck enough to win the lottery, this generally happens over a period of years as you live in the space. Yet many people find themselves in exactly this position of wanting to make a big change, particularly when planning a full home renovation, building or buying a new home.
It may surprise you that Home Contents Calculators value the cost of furnishing a single storey 4 bedroom/2 bathroom home in Melbourne anywhere from $44,300 – $69,900+ (Average – no name brands, basic equipment, self-assembled furniture), to $110,400 – $165,100+ (Quality – Well known brands, superior equipment, joinery standard furniture) and up to $261,795 – $397,500+ (Prestige – Designer brands, handcrafted furniture). These estimated figures include floorings and window coverings, but do not include built in cabinetry, ceiling lighting or built in appliances & fixtures (ovens, sinks, etc). It should be noted that the itemised figures in the calculator are somewhat on the conservative side, compared to what it actually costs to purchase items.
How much does it cost to furnish a Master bedroom with mid-range Quality furnishings?
The cost to fully furnish your master bedroom at a Quality level (well known brands, superior equipment, joinery standard furniture) including new floating timber floorings, new rug, a fresh coat of paint, new lighting, new walk-in closet area & window coverings will come in at around $31237.19 RRP approximately. I generally allow a 10% contingency in addition to this, for unforeseen circumstances, or if you happen to forget something. This is also assuming you coordinate all the trades yourself & do all the purchasing, and pick up the furniture yourself (delivery costs excluded).
Let’s break it down
Sceptical? Let’s work through each item for this Master bedroom design, which is 24 square metres with gallery walk in wardrobe, and 2.7m ceilings.
To give you an idea of the level of quality, most of the furniture and accessories below are sourced from Freedom, Domayne, Oz Design Furniture & Adairs.
| New timber look hybrid floor planks – estimate | 24 sq metres | $88 supply & install approx per sq/m | $2112 |
| New standard wall paint (3 coats) to 3 walls | 11 lt approx | $214 /15lt | $214 |
| New artisan wall paint & base coat (3 coats) to 1 wall – estimate | 6 lt approx | $126/2lt artisan paint $126/2lt artisan base $126/2lt undercoat | $378 |
| New wallpaper to both sides of central wall | 4 rolls | $69 per roll | $276 |
| New ceiling paint (3 coats) | 6lt approx | $130/10 lt | $130 |
| Paint 3 doors, window & trims (3 coats) | 5lt approx | $92.90/4lt | $185.80 |
| Cost of painter | 2 days | $400 per day | $800 |
| Cost to install wallpaper – estimate | 2 walls | $250 per wall | $500 |
| DIY Drapes – estimate (does not include installation) | 6 panels | $189 per panel $199 per rod | $1333 |
| DIY Plantation shutters – estimate (does not include installation) | 3 panels | $1581 | |
| Power outlets for bedside tables – estimate | 2 | $180 each | $360 |
| Wall lights – bedside (incl install) – estimate | 2 | $250 each | $500 |
| Pendant lights – small (incl install) – estimate | 2 | $250 each | $500 |
| Pendant light – large (incl install) – estimate | 1 | $600 | |
| Mattress & base – queen size | 1 | $2667 | |
| Bed head – queen size | 1 | $599 | |
| Bedside table | 2 | $299 each | $598 |
| Tallboy dresser | 2 | $2159 each | $4318 |
| Custom Wardrobe – estimate | 1 | $5197 | |
| Floor rug – large | 1 | $1199 | |
| Armchair | 2 | $1549 each | $3098 |
| Wall art set of 3 | 1 set | $464 | |
| Wall art | 2 | $65 each | $130 |
| Mirror – large | 1 | $499 | |
| Luxury high loft quilt – king size | 1 | $299.99 | |
| Duvet cover – king size | 1 | $219.99 | |
| Luxury high loft european pillow | 2 | $79.99 each | $159.98 |
| European pillow case | 2 | $39.99 | $79.98 |
| Luxury high loft standard pillow | 4 | $69.99 | $279.96 |
| Washed linen standard pillow cover | 2 sets | $99.99 per set | $199.98 |
| Washed linen white fitted sheet – queen size | 1 | $179.99 | |
| Washed linen valance – queen size | 1 | $129.99 | |
| Linen throw | 1 | $119.99 | |
| Blanket | 1 | $149.99 | |
| Lamb hide throw | 1 | $240 | |
| Accent cushion for bed | 1 | $79.95 | |
| Lumber cushion for armchair | 2 | $99.95 each | $199.90 |
| Trinket tray – metal | 1 | $21.95 | |
| Trinket tray – leather with personalised initials | 1 | $77 | |
| Jewellery box | 1 | $149.95 | |
| Watch box | 1 | $269 | |
| Accessory – palm tree | 1 | $89.95 | |
| Vase | 1 | $69.95 | |
| TOTAL | $30989.44 |
This is a big investment for anyone, but it can be made more achievable by having a clear plan that you can implement over a year or two. One of the services I provide are Virtual DIY Room Design Packages, and I generally have a project of this nature on the go all the time. We love working with our clients, and we’re now booking into 2021. Get in touch here if you’re ready to create the perfect space for your home or workplace!
Kew Residence
(please pin the below graphic to your pinterest board for reference)
Let’s make something beautiful together, book an appointment to explore your dream project.
Image: Omar Rodriguez @ormphotography
Lisa Elliott Interior Design 