Moving into a Korean apartment can be surprisingly expensive if every piece of furniture and appliance is purchased new. For foreign residents planning to stay in Korea for several years—or settling here after retirement—the smarter approach is to divide purchases into essential items, items worth buying new, and items that can safely be purchased secondhand.
Korea also has a distinctive furniture-shopping ecosystem. International retailers such as IKEA operate alongside Korean platforms such as Ohouse (오늘의집), while secondhand platforms such as Karrot (당근) make it possible to furnish an entire apartment locally.
The most important point is that the cheapest option is not always the lowest-priced product. Delivery charges, assembly, moving costs, warranty coverage, and the expected length of stay can change the real cost considerably.
1. Start With the Apartment, Not the Shopping List
Before buying anything, measure the actual apartment.
Korean apartments can have compact entrances, narrow elevators, built-in storage, and kitchen cabinets that leave little room for additional furniture.
Check these measurements first:
- Entrance width
- Elevator size
- Doorway width
- Bedroom dimensions
- Living-room dimensions
- Kitchen counter space
- Refrigerator opening
- Washing-machine space
- Balcony or utility-room space
This is particularly important when buying secondhand furniture.
A large sofa may look inexpensive on Karrot, but if it cannot fit through the apartment entrance, it is not a bargain.
For long-term residents, taking photographs and measurements before shopping can prevent expensive mistakes.
2. Decide What Should Be Bought New
Some products are usually worth buying new.
Better choices for new purchases
- Mattress
- Bedding
- Towels
- Basic cookware
- Toilet and cleaning supplies
- Small electrical appliances
- Items requiring a warranty
A mattress, for example, is one area where hygiene and personal comfort usually outweigh the potential savings from buying used.
Other furniture can often be purchased secondhand without much concern if its condition is carefully inspected.
3. IKEA Korea: Best for Standard Furniture
IKEA is one of the easiest options for foreigners because the shopping experience is familiar and product information is relatively visual.
IKEA Korea is particularly useful for:
- Beds
- Desks
- Bookshelves
- Dining tables
- Chairs
- Storage units
- Kitchen accessories
- Lighting
- Curtains
- Small household items
The biggest advantage is predictability.
A product can be researched online, dimensions can be checked in advance, and replacement parts are generally easier to identify than with an unknown secondhand product.
However, IKEA is not automatically the cheapest option.
A low-priced piece of furniture may become significantly more expensive after adding:
Product + delivery + assembly + accessories
For someone staying in Korea for many years, this may still represent good value. For someone staying only six months, secondhand furniture may make more financial sense.
4. Ohouse: Korea’s Home-Furnishing Marketplace
Ohouse, commonly known as 오늘의집, is one of the most useful Korean platforms for furnishing a home.
It combines:
- Furniture shopping
- Interior inspiration
- Home products
- Reviews
- Delivery information
- Interior-related services
The major challenge for foreigners is language.
Product descriptions and customer reviews are predominantly Korean, so translation tools can be useful.
Ohouse is particularly valuable when looking for Korean-style furniture that may be difficult to find through international retailers.
Before ordering, carefully check:
- Product dimensions
- Delivery fee
- Assembly fee
- Estimated delivery date
- Return policy
- Seller information
- Whether installation is included
Do not assume that a product advertised at a low price includes delivery and installation.
5. Karrot: One of the Best Options for Cheap Furniture
Karrot, known in Korea as 당근, is a neighborhood-based secondhand marketplace.
It can be particularly useful for foreign residents who need inexpensive furniture immediately after moving.
Common listings include:
- Sofas
- Tables
- Chairs
- Beds
- Shelves
- Desks
- Lamps
- Rice cookers
- Microwaves
- Small appliances
Prices can be dramatically lower than buying new.
Some items are even offered for free because the seller simply wants someone to collect them.
6. The Catch With Karrot: Transportation
This is where many newcomers underestimate the true cost.
A seller may offer a desk for ₩20,000, but moving it may require:
- A taxi
- Delivery vehicle
- Moving service
- Assistance from another person
The actual cost could therefore become:
₩20,000 furniture + ₩30,000 transportation = ₩50,000
At that point, a new product with delivery included might be the better deal.
Before agreeing to a purchase, ask:
직접 가져가야 하나요?
“Do I need to pick it up myself?”
Or:
배송 가능할까요?
“Is delivery possible?”
7. Useful Korean Words for Secondhand Shopping
A few Korean search terms make Karrot much easier to use.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 무료나눔 | Free giveaway |
| 중고 | Used |
| 새상품 | New product |
| 거의 새것 | Almost new |
| 직거래 | Direct/local transaction |
| 배송 | Delivery |
| 조립 | Assembly |
| 분해 | Disassembly |
| 상태 | Condition |
| 하자 | Defect/problem |
무료나눔 can be particularly useful.
Foreign residents furnishing their first apartment may find perfectly usable chairs, shelves, tables, and household items being given away.
8. How to Buy Used Furniture Safely
Never purchase expensive secondhand furniture without inspecting it carefully.
Check:
Furniture
- Scratches
- Broken hinges
- Water damage
- Mold
- Unusual odors
- Structural instability
Electronics
- Power operation
- Noise
- Display
- Buttons
- Cables
- Model number
- Manufacturing date
For refrigerators and washing machines, ask how old the appliance is and whether it has recently experienced any problems.
For mattresses and upholstered furniture, consider hygiene carefully.
9. Don’t Forget Korean Electrical Standards
Foreign residents should pay attention to voltage and plugs.
Korea uses approximately 220V / 60Hz electricity and the common plug type has two round pins.
A device from another country may require a voltage converter or compatible adapter.
Do not connect a 110V-only appliance directly to a Korean outlet.
For expensive appliances, purchasing a Korean-compatible model is usually safer than relying on converters.
10. Korean Appliances Can Be Easier to Buy Locally
For major appliances, Korean brands and local retailers may offer better practical support.
Consider buying locally:
- Refrigerator
- Washing machine
- Air conditioner
- Microwave
- Rice cooker
- Dehumidifier
- Air purifier
Local products generally come with Korean-compatible plugs, voltage specifications, manuals, and domestic warranty service.
For retirees planning long-term residence, reliable after-sales service can be more valuable than saving a small amount at the time of purchase.
11. Build the Apartment in Stages
There is no need to furnish an entire apartment on the first day.
A practical sequence is:
Stage 1 — First Week
Buy:
- Mattress or bed
- Bedding
- Basic cookware
- Towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Curtains or temporary window coverings
- Basic table and chair
Stage 2 — First Month
Add:
- Sofa
- Dining table
- Storage furniture
- Lighting
- Small appliances
Stage 3 — After Settling In
Only then consider:
- Decorative furniture
- Larger shelving
- Additional appliances
- Hobby equipment
- Interior accessories
This prevents spending money on furniture that later turns out to be unnecessary.
12. A Simple Budget Strategy
For a long-term foreign resident, a reasonable approach is to divide purchases into three groups.
| Category | Recommended Strategy |
|---|---|
| Mattress & bedding | Buy new |
| Major appliances | Compare new + used |
| Sofa/table/chairs | Consider secondhand |
| Storage | IKEA/Ohouse/secondhand |
| Kitchen supplies | Mostly new |
| Decorative items | Secondhand/low-cost |
| Electronics | New if warranty matters |
The goal is not to make everything as cheap as possible.
The goal is to spend money where reliability and hygiene matter, while saving money where used products provide almost the same practical value.
13. Watch Out for Delivery and Installation Fees
Korean online shopping often separates the product price from additional services.
A furniture listing might have:
Furniture: ₩150,000
but the final cost could include:
- Delivery
- Upstairs delivery
- Assembly
- Installation
- Disposal of old furniture
Always look for:
배송비
(delivery fee)
and
설치비
(installation fee).
For large furniture, these additional costs can significantly change the final price.
14. Consider the Length of Your Stay
The ideal shopping strategy depends heavily on how long you intend to remain in Korea.
Short stay: Under 1 year
Prioritize:
- Used furniture
- Free items
- Minimal purchases
- Easy-to-move products
Medium stay: 1–3 years
Mix:
- New essentials
- IKEA
- Ohouse
- Secondhand furniture
Long-term or retirement
Invest in:
- Comfortable mattress
- Quality sofa
- Reliable appliances
- Durable storage
- Ergonomic desk/chair
- Energy-efficient appliances
For retirement, comfort becomes increasingly important. Saving ₩50,000 on a chair that causes discomfort every day is rarely a good long-term decision.
15. What to Do When Moving Out
Another issue foreigners sometimes overlook is furniture disposal.
If a large item cannot be taken to the next home, it cannot simply be left outside the apartment.
Large furniture generally requires bulky-waste disposal procedures through the local municipality.
Alternatively, it may be possible to sell or give the item away through Karrot.
This is another reason secondhand furniture can be attractive: it may be easier to transfer to another resident when the time comes to move.
A Practical Furnishing Formula for Foreign Residents
For many long-term residents, the most efficient combination is:
IKEA → predictable basic furniture
Ohouse → Korean-style furniture and home products
Karrot → inexpensive secondhand items
Local retailers → major appliances and warranty-sensitive products
Free giveaways → temporary or low-priority items
This approach can substantially reduce the cost of establishing a comfortable home without sacrificing essential quality.
Final Checklist Before Buying
Before paying for anything, ask:
- Does it fit the apartment?
- Does it fit through the entrance?
- Is delivery included?
- Is assembly included?
- Is the product compatible with Korean electricity?
- Does it have a warranty?
- Is the used item free of mold and serious damage?
- Will it still be useful if the living situation changes?
- Can it be resold or given away later?
These questions are particularly valuable for foreigners who are unfamiliar with Korean apartment layouts and local shopping practices.
and personal touches.
Final Thoughts
Furnishing an apartment in Korea does not have to require a large initial budget.
The most effective strategy is not to choose one store and buy everything there. Instead, combine different channels according to what each does best.
Use IKEA when predictable design, dimensions, and straightforward shopping matter. Use Ohouse when looking for Korean home products and interior ideas. Use Karrot when the priority is saving money on furniture and appliances. For expensive appliances, consider local retailers where warranty and after-sales service are easier to manage.
For foreign retirees and long-term residents, the best home is not necessarily the most expensive one. It is the home that is comfortable, practical, easy to maintain, and appropriate for the length of the stay.
A little planning before shopping can save considerably more money than simply choosing the cheapest item on the shelf.
Next Guide:
Banking Apps in Korea Explained
The next guide will explain how foreign residents can use major Korean banking apps, including mobile banking, transfers, authentication, QR payments, security features, and practical ways to manage a Korean bank account without fluent Korean.
Leave a Reply