How to Furnish an Apartment in Nairobi: A Guide for Expats and Newcomers (2026)

Moving to Nairobi for work, a posting, studies or a long stay? Many apartments here are rented unfurnished, and furnished ones often cost noticeably more each month. Furnishing your own place can pay for itself within a year — if you know where to buy, what to buy first and how to avoid the common mistakes. This guide is written for expats, visitors on longer stays and anyone new to the city.

Written by Bobby Furniture Kenya, a Nairobi furniture shop that furnishes homes for newcomers and the diaspora.

Step 1: Know what’s usually included in an unfurnished apartment

In Nairobi, an “unfurnished” apartment usually includes kitchen cabinets, built-in wardrobes in many newer buildings, and sometimes curtain rails and water heaters. You’ll normally need to buy:

• Living room: sofa or L-seat, coffee table, TV stand
• Bedrooms: bed frames and mattresses, nightstands, extra storage if there are no built-in wardrobes
• Dining: dining table and chairs
• Extras: shoe rack, rugs, curtains, lighting

Step 2: Budget — what it costs to furnish an apartment in Nairobi

Prices vary widely between budget, mid-range and imported furniture. As a guide, locally made, good-quality furniture costs far less than imported pieces of a similar look.

We keep a live price breakdown for a typical studio/1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartment, calculated from the current prices of our most affordable pieces: see how much it costs to furnish an apartment in Nairobi. Then browse our price lists for sofa sets, 5 by 6 beds, dining tables and TV stands.

Budget tips:

• Spend more on what you use daily: the bed and the sofa.
• A good L-seat can replace a sofa set plus armchairs in a small living room.
• Bed prices are usually for the frame only — budget separately for the mattress.
• Ask for delivery and assembly in the quote, so there are no surprises.

Step 3: Know the Nairobi bed sizes

Kenyan beds are measured in feet: 3×6, 4×6, 5×6 and 6×6 (width × length). A 5×6 is the usual choice for couples (similar to a queen); 6×6 is closest to a king. Read our bed sizes guide before buying sheets abroad — they may not fit.

Step 4: Delivery to where you live

Most expats and newcomers live in Westlands, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Lavington, Parklands, Gigiri, Runda, Muthaiga, Karen and Lang’ata. Delivery to these areas from our shop costs between KSh 2,500 and KSh 4,000 on our current list, with some areas quoted on request — see the live fee table. Tell the shop about:

• Building access: gate rules, guard sign-in, lift size and delivery hours.
• Stairs and door widths: measure them; large sofas can be made in sections.

Step 5: Paying safely as a newcomer

Most Kenyan furniture shops are paid by M-Pesa or bank transfer. If you don’t have M-Pesa yet, bank transfer works, including from an overseas account. Always:

• Confirm the product, size, colour, total price, delivery fee and date in writing first.
• Pay only to the shop’s official account. Never share an M-Pesa PIN.
• Keep the confirmation message.

Step 6: Mistakes newcomers make (and how to avoid them)

1. Buying a sofa that doesn’t fit the lift. Measure first.
2. Choosing light velvet for a dusty season. Nairobi dust and strong sun fade and mark fabrics; see our sofa care guide and corduroy vs velvet guide.
3. Paying a stranger on social media. Check reviews, a physical address and a consistent phone number — our safe buying guide explains how.
4. Ordering before you have the keys. Agree the delivery date once you know when you can receive it, or name someone who can.

Furnishing before you arrive

You can order before you land: send the shop your list on WhatsApp, get photos or a video of the real pieces, pay by bank transfer and have a colleague, agent or caretaker receive the delivery. See our guide to buying furniture in Kenya from abroad.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to rent furnished or furnish an apartment myself in Nairobi?

For stays of a year or more, furnishing an unfurnished apartment yourself is often cheaper overall, and you can sell or move the furniture when you leave. For short stays of a few months, a furnished apartment is usually simpler.

How quickly can I furnish an apartment in Nairobi?

Ready-made pieces are usually delivered within 3–7 business days in Nairobi; custom pieces take longer. Order the bed first.

Can I pay in US dollars?

Most local shops price in Kenyan shillings. Pay by bank transfer or M-Pesa in KSh; your bank shows the exchange rate.

Ready to start? See furniture for expats, visitors and the diaspora or WhatsApp +254 708 156 310.