How Much to Budget to Furnish a Flat in Dakar

Moving into a new flat in Dakar, whether for a first move-in or a return from the diaspora, quickly raises the question of budget: furniture, bedding, appliances, curtains, kitchen utensils, the list grows fast. Rather than buying everything at once, here is how to prioritise and spread out spending without running into trouble.

Start with the essentials: a bed and a basic kitchen

The first nights in a new home mostly call for a decent bed and the bare minimum to cook with: a mattress, sheets, a few pots, basic dishes and a small fridge if the budget allows from the start. Everything else, a living-room sofa, decoration, smaller furniture, can wait without disrupting daily life. This gradual approach avoids draining the budget all at once and makes it easier to judge actual needs once settled in.

New or secondhand: a choice to make item by item

For some purchases, new remains preferable, especially for a mattress or small appliances where wear matters a lot for hygiene and safety. For others, like a table, a wardrobe or chairs, secondhand often saves a significant part of the budget without losing quality, provided the condition is checked before buying. Mixing both approaches depending on each spending category remains the most sensible strategy for a tight budget.

Appliances: a category to spread over time

Fridge, stove, washing machine, air conditioner: fully equipping a kitchen and a home with appliances all at once is often the heaviest expense. Many families in Dakar spread these purchases over several months, starting with the fridge and the stove, then adding an air conditioner or a washing machine once the first months of settling in have passed. Delivery offered by most shops makes transporting these bulky appliances easier.

Curtains, bedding and everyday small items

Curtains play an important role against heat and light, especially in rooms facing direct afternoon sun. For bedding, keeping at least two sets of sheets allows rotating them during laundry. For kitchen utensils, it is better to start with the strict basics, pots, a pan, basic cutlery, rather than buying a full set that mostly goes unused in the first months.

Settling in gradually rather than doing it all at once

Spreading purchases over several weeks or months, based on actual daily priorities, remains the approach best suited to a reasonable budget. It also allows taking advantage of promotion periods at certain shops for the costliest purchases, rather than buying in a rush right at move-in. Price ranges vary enormously depending on the range chosen at each step, from basic furniture to higher-end models; it is best to compare several shops before each major purchase rather than rely on a general estimate.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

• DIGITAL STORES POINT E: Dakar
• Bernabé: Dakar
• ORCA: Plateau
• CHINA MALL: Dakar
• OLA DECO: Dakar

To compare more shops, see all addresses in this category or explore the Dakar directory.

Useful tools

• To convert a budget into another currency: the FCFA converter.
• To plan a round of shops: the route planner.
• For everyday practical information in Dakar: the SeneFinder practical guide.

Also worth reading: our guide to furniture shops in Dakar and our guide to settling in Dakar from the diaspora.

Frequently asked questions

What should come first when moving in on a limited budget?

It is best to start with the essentials, a decent bed and the bare minimum to cook with, then gradually add the rest of the furniture and appliances based on actual priorities.

Is it better to buy new or secondhand furniture?

It depends on the item: new is preferable for a mattress or small appliances, while secondhand works well for a table, a wardrobe or chairs, provided the condition is checked before buying.

How can appliance purchases be spread out without overspending?

Many families start with the fridge and the stove, then add an air conditioner or washing machine later, taking advantage of promotion periods for the costliest purchases.