When buyers shop for a home, they usually focus on the purchase price, mortgage rate, property taxes, and closing costs. But one expense often gets forgotten:
Furnishing the home once you move in.
Whether you’re upgrading furniture, adding new décor to match your layout, or simply filling more space, the cost can add up quickly — especially in larger Westchester County homes with multiple floors and outdoor living areas.
To help you budget realistically, the clearest way to estimate furniture costs is to look at average cost per square footbased on style and quality level.
Average Cost to Furnish a Home (Per Square Foot)
| Quality Level | Description | Estimated Cost Per Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| Starter / Budget | Mix of IKEA / Target / Wayfair / Overstock. Focus on function. | $10 – $18 per sq ft |
| Mid-Range | Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, CB2, Article. Balanced quality and style. | $20 – $35 per sq ft |
| High-End / Designer | Restoration Hardware, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Serena & Lily, custom made pieces. | $40 – $80+ per sq ft |
Most Westchester buyers fall into the mid-range category.
Sample Budgets for Common Home Sizes
1. Small Home / Condo (1,200 sq ft)
| Budget Level | Estimated Total |
|---|---|
| Starter | $12,000 – $21,600 |
| Mid-Range | $24,000 – $42,000 |
| High-End | $48,000 – $96,000+ |
Typical spaces included: Living room, dining area, 2 bedrooms, basic kitchen accessories, light décor.
2. Mid-Sized Westchester Colonial (2,400 sq ft)
| Budget Level | Estimated Total |
|---|---|
| Starter | $24,000 – $43,200 |
| Mid-Range | $48,000 – $84,000 |
| High-End | $96,000 – $192,000+ |
Common additions: Separate family room, finished basement playroom, guest room, deck/patio seating.
3. Larger Family Home (3,500 sq ft)
| Budget Level | Estimated Total |
|---|---|
| Starter | $35,000 – $63,000 |
| Mid-Range | $70,000 – $122,500 |
| High-End | $140,000 – $280,000+ |
What drives cost up? More bedrooms, more lounge spaces, larger primary suites, outdoor entertaining areas.
4. Luxury / Expanded Home (5,000+ sq ft)
| Budget Level | Estimated Total |
|---|---|
| Starter | $50,000 – $90,000 |
| Mid-Range | $100,000 – $175,000 |
| High-End | $200,000 – $400,000+ |
Often includes:
• Multiple living areas
• Home office
• Home gym
• Media / theater room
• Multiple outdoor seating zones
Where Homebuyers Tend to Under-Budget
Most homebuyers underestimate:
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Window treatments (often $2,500–$12,000 depending on home size)
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Outdoor furniture (quality weather-resistant sets are expensive)
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Area rugs (especially for large rooms — $600 to $3,500 each)
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Lighting & lamps (builder-grade fixtures are often swapped out)
How Westchester Buyers Can Furnish Strategically
Here’s how to stretch your budget without sacrificing style:
✅ Mix splurge + save items
✅ Buy sofas and mattresses higher-quality (comfort matters daily)
✅ Use local consignment and estate sale networks — Westchester has great ones
✅ Furnish in phases — you don’t need to do everything day one
Want a Customized Furnishing Plan?
When I’m helping buyers in Chappaqua, Armonk, Pleasantville, Briarcliff, and across Westchester, I often create:
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Room-by-room furnishing checklists
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Estimated total furnishing budgets
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Suggested stores and design resources
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Referrals to local interior designers and stagers
This helps avoid surprises — and lets you move in with confidence.
Thinking About a Move?
If you're planning to buy or upgrade in Westchester, I’d be happy to walk you through budgets, neighborhood insights, and local resources.
Call / Text: 917-817-8270
Email: [email protected]
