What will it cost to fit out your Italian home? Probably less than in your home country! We grabbed our little wooden pencil and went to investigate.

When buying a home in Italy, fitting it out with furniture, appliances and other household items may not be top of your to do list, or even in the budget. But as the exciting day approaches when you’ll get the keys, you may dream about waking up there for the first time, the sun streaming through the shutters, then enjoying the view from your terrace with your morning coffee. And that’s when you will realise you don’t have a bed, or seating, or even a coffee cup.

Perhaps you’ll take your time getting these things. But then friends and family start asking when they can come and stay? Your head will be full of questions. Do I take things over from home? Or is it cheaper to buy it all in Italy? Will my appliances even work in Italy?

Fitting out your Italian home

Don’t panic! Italy has it all. Beyond the pretty hill top villages, seaside resorts and art cities, there are shopping centres, and industrial zones with big furniture stores and DIY outlets. Here I will try and answer some of the most asked questions.

Can I shop online in Italy?

If you need to fit out your Italian home as quickly and cheaply as possible, the websites of Ikea Italy and Amazon Italy are a good place to start. Even if only to get an idea of prices. Other online stores in Italy, that sell furniture and other items are Leroy Merlin, Tecnomat (DIY), Mondo Convenienza, Deghi, Obi, Kasanova, JYSK and Bricocenter. There are fifty large Leroy Merlin stores across Italy. It is very popular for DIY items, tiles, bathrooms, kitchens and everything for the garden. If you click “select store” you can easily check the availability in your nearest branch.

It’s also worth joining an expat Facebook page covering the area you will be living in. Some of these pages allow people to advertise items for sale. You might come across someone moving home and selling a lot of their furniture and appliances. If there is something you are particularly looking for you could also post a question, and get recommendations from resident expats. Facebook marketplace and Ebay also have items for sales, but the seller is likely to only speak Italian and you will need to be very alert of scammers.

This two bedroom holiday apartment in Tuscany includes fixed furniture. €395,000. (Click the link for more details)

Is it cheaper to buy in Italy?

In many cases, I have found that you can buy new household items cheaper in Italy than in the UK, America or Canada. From the study I did of prices on Ikea and Amazon, 12 out of 21 items, which were identical or nearly the same, could be bought cheaper in Italy. The total Italy bill came to €830 less than in the UK, €689 less than in Canada and almost €2,000 less than in the USA.

Price comparison on furniture

I was amazed how much cheaper some items were in Italy. Especially when I was looking at what appeared to be exactly the same piece of furniture. For example, the table and four chairs were exactly the same, in name, photo, and measurements, but in Italy it cost €369 and in the US it was €432 ($469).

The table and four chairs were exactly the same, but in Italy they cost €369 and in the USA €432

In some cases, the measurements were slightly different. For example, a three-seater Ektorp sofa on Ikea, Italy, looks very much like the Uppland sofa on Ikea US, but the US one is 6cm longer. It was priced at $849, which converted to €780. A big difference from the €399 price tag in Italy.

Large pieces of furniture and electrical appliances, such as cookers, fridge-freezers and dish washers all compared well on pricing in Italy, as did garden furniture for that all-important outdoor seating area. Therefore, when you take into account shipping costs, it can be cheaper to buy in Italy.

How I compared the prices

To get an idea how prices compare between countries, I selected 21 household items you might need to buy for your new home in Italy. (Apologies if I didn’t select your country). To make a fair comparison I looked at two outlets that serve all four countries, and chose items available in each. Such as, a bed, kitchen appliances and outdoor furniture.

Ikea’s store in Rome (Petro Artem / Shutterstock.com)

Firstly, I looked at the price of furniture on the Ikea website for each country. Many property buyers choose Ikea for furniture and kitchens, because it is a name they know, the prices are reasonable, and it is convenient to order online and have items delivered. Anything not available in Ikea I looked for on Amazon. Not all brands are available in all four countries, especially electrical goods. But you can find very similar products. I have included the Italian word for each, so that you know what to ask for when in Italy.

Cost comparison of household goods 

Note: These were the prices and currency conversion on 19th March 2025. prior to the market turmoil following on from the “Trump tariffs”.

Where can I find quality Italian furniture?

Italy is known across the world for exceptional design in both clothing and furniture. The main companies operating in the furniture retail market are Mondo Convenienza, IKEA, Confalone, Poltronesofa and Conforama. However, if you are furnishing a home that you are going to live in year round, you may want to spend more and get quality in design, service and materials.

Quality furniture brands

Italian furniture is renowned for its style and craftsmanship, with many furniture brands having a long family history. Two names to look out for are Poliform, and Giorgetti. Alternatively, if you want a more contemporary piece of furniture B&B Italia, has some interesting styles, and for a really unique designer piece, check out Zanotta.

Artisan furniture makers

Many brands started out as small artisan workshops, such as Natuzzi, in southern Italy. Therefore, its worth asking the locals if there are any furniture makers in the area of your home. You sometimes you’ll find skilled carpenters and metal workers, making furniture, in the back streets. It is good to support the local economy and have a piece of furniture that was made by a local person.

Are beds in Italy a standard size?

The measurements of beds (Letti in Italian) can vary from country to country. Therefore, if you bring your bed base from home, you might not get a ready-made mattress in Italy to fit it. The top brands of mattress in Italy are Dormeo, Magniflex, Permaflex.

Even companies that sell around the world, will vary their measurements to suit the local market. For example, the bed I selected from Ikea (Brimnes) is listed as a King, however in Italy it measures 160x200cm, in the UK it measures 156x234cm, in America and Canada it measures 199x208cm. That said, if you want to ship your favourite bed over and buy a mattress in Italy, you can always have one custom made. Simply search for “Materassi su misura”.

Will Italian bedding fit my bed?

When you go out to buy bedding, take the measurements of your mattress and duvet with you, and check them against those in the shop. As some bedding is imported, the sizes may vary.  I find fitted sheets particularly frustrating, so I now only buy flat sheets. If you are used to dealing with inches, you should also be aware that in Italy beds are measured in centimetres.

You can find bedding on Amazon.it that is made in the UK, which is particularly useful when looking for duvet covers. In fact, I prefer to use an empty duvet cover as a top sheet during hot Italian summers, as they don’t hang too long down the sides of the bed. You should also check the pillow cases, as in some countries they are square, rather than rectangular. Popular Italian bedding brands are Gabel, Bassetti, and Frette.

Will the house seller take the kitchen?

When buying a property in Italy always ask what the seller is going to take and leave. Many Italians do like to take the whole kitchen with them. This can actually be a good thing, as it gives you a clear area to put in the kitchen of your choice, and you don’t need to dispose of the old one. At kitchen showrooms you can get help in planning your new kitchen. Kitchen companies that are known for good service are Lady Cucine, Veneta Cucine, Scavolini, LUBE Cucine, and Ricci Casa.

Can I buy a cheap kitchen?

The Ikea kitchen in the price comparison was a corner kitchen including cupboards, drawers and sink. It was priced at just €449.00. In Italy, you can even buy a complete kitchen package that includes appliances. This option can be particularly convenient when fitting out an apartment. In Conforama, you can buy a kitchen with wall and base units, sink, fridge, oven and hob, for €2,999.00 (width 308cm).

You will even see people selling their old kitchens online. If you want a farmhouse style solid wood kitchen, second hand kitchens are worth considering, even if you just want to use the wooden doors. If like us, you buy a stone house with walls that aren’t square, a corner fireplace and vaulted ceilings that come down the corner of the room, you might find you can’t attach top cupboards. This is one reason why you see kitchens with free standing wall cabinets and cookers. Kitchen’s using cheap modern materials, can look flimsy in a room with stone floors and walls. However, it does help if you buy a more solid worktop in wood or marble. We started off with marble, then changed it for a wooden work top from Leroy Merlin. A 250cm length costs €199.00

Will my electrical appliances work in Italy?

Appliances from the UK, most of Europe, and Australia, should work fine in Italy as they have a similar voltage and frequency. Italy operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Electrical appliances from some countries might need adjustments due to differences in voltage, frequency, and plug types. For example, appliances from North America, which typically run on 120V and 60Hz, will not work unless they are dual voltage or are used with a voltage converter.

Many modern electronics, including laptops, phones, and tablets, have built-in power adapters that support 100-240V and 50/60Hz. However, high-wattage appliances such as hairdryers and kettles may require a more powerful voltage converter. These can be expensive, so it is often cheaper to buy these appliances in Italy.

Will my appliances cause the electric to trip?

The standard voltage supply to homes in Italy is 3kw, which is generally enough. However, if you use two appliances that use a lot of electricity at the same time, it might trip the electricity off. Appliances that can cause an overload include, hairdryers, curling tongs, irons, fridges, vacuum cleaners, several fans on at once, microwaves, air-cons, and washing machines.

However, manufacturers have made big improvements to the energy ratings on these appliances. Therefore, replacing old appliances with new ones could use less energy and save you money. Alternatively, if you feel 3kw isn’t enough for your requirements, you can request an upgrade from your electricity supplier. The cost of doing this varies, depending on the provider.

Will I need to change the plugs?

If the plug on your appliance doesn’t fit an Italian socket, you can simply use an adapter or change the plug. You will see two types of electric plug in Italy. The most commonly used is the European Plug type C which has two round pins. The second is plug type L which has three round pins in a line.

What are the best electronics stores in Italy?

Unieuro is a popular Italian store, selling household appliances. It has over 500 shops across Italy. Other top electronics stores in Italy are Euronics, Mediaworld, Trony, Comet, and Expert. They sell popular brands such as Dyson and Smeg.

Can I easily find small household items?

Smaller items, such as cutlery, plates, towels, etc. can be found easily. Large supermarkets and kitchen shops will have a good range. There are also plenty of stores dotted around that sell really cheap things for the home, that you didn’t realise you needed until you step into their shop. In addition, things like towels, cushions, and items for the kitchen can sometimes be found at the weekly market.

Where can I find antiques?

As well as Antique shops, there are some wonderful Antique markets across the country. In big towns and cities they might be held weekly or once a month. There are also a few places that sell second hand furniture. Often these are in units out of town.

When you buy an old property once lived in by the sellers elderly relative, you sometimes find furniture left behind. Most of it is often junk, but if you are lucky you might find some nice pieces. Old barrels, big green demijohns, old tables etc. can add historic character to your Italian home.

Will my furniture fit in my Italian home?

I recommend not relying on estate agents’ measurements. Take a tape measure to a second viewing and check the measurements of spaces where you are likely to put furniture. If your property is in a hill top village with narrow lanes, you will also need to think carefully about the size and weight of anything you buy or transport there. You may need a man with a van and trolley, rather than a giant removals lorry. Also think about whether the furniture will fit through doorways and up a steep staircase.

Part of the fun of buying an Italian property is looking around, antique markets, pottery shops and furniture stores, to find those typical Italian pieces that will transform your property into a comfortable Italian home.