Cost of Living

Furnishing your new home in Spain: where to buy furniture, lighting and appliances online

Furnished or not, what to buy first, delivery, 14-day returns, the 3-year guarantee, recycling old items and online shops for your new home in Spain.

Published

43 seconds ago

October 2026

Asvini

Bright newly furnished Mediterranean apartment with sofa, lamp, plants and delivery boxes

Spainholiday – Holiday homes on the Costa del Sol with tourist licence

Spainholiday – Long-term rentals on the Costa del Sol

Get help with your visa and residency in Spain

Kantur Estates – Danish estate agent on the Costa del Sol

Larios Penal – Criminal lawyer in Málaga

M Salón de Caballeros – Men's barber in Málaga

Sinmaletas – send your boxes and luggage when you move

Online pharmacy & parapharmacy
Skincare, vitamins, baby care and more – delivered in SpainShop now

Mauricio’s Gardening Services – palm and tree pruning on the Costa del Sol

Housing · Updated 2026

Furnishing your new home in Spain: where to buy furniture, lighting and appliances online

You have the keys, but the flat is empty or only half furnished. This guide walks newcomers through what to buy first, how buying online works in Spain, your rights on returns and guarantees, how to get rid of old items, and which online shops are worth a look for furniture, lighting and appliances.

Last checked: October 2026

Furnished or unfurnished: know what you are starting with

On the Costa del Sol you will see both “amueblado” (furnished) and “sin amueblar” (unfurnished) listings. What is actually included varies a lot from one property to the next.

Furnished rentals

Usually include basic furniture and often the main kitchen appliances, but the standard ranges from brand new to tired. Ask for an inventory (“inventario”) with photos and attach it to the contract, so you are not blamed later for wear that was already there.

Unfurnished homes

Can mean anything from a fully fitted kitchen to bare walls with no ceiling lights. Before you order, confirm whether the oven, hob, fridge and washing machine are included, and measure doorways, lifts and stairwells.

What most newcomers need first

Prioritise sleep, cooking and comfort in the heat. Everything else can wait until you know how you use the space.

Bed and mattress

The one purchase not to rush. Check the bed size before buying sheets, as standard sizes can differ from what you are used to at home.

Kitchen basics

Fridge, hob and washing machine if missing, then small appliances such as a kettle, coffee maker or air fryer.

Cooling

Summers are hot. Fans and air conditioning matter, and a dehumidifier can help in coastal flats.

Lighting

Many unfurnished flats come with bare bulbs or just wires. Lamps make a big difference to how a home feels.

Buying online vs in store

Online

Wider choice, easy comparison and brands that are hard to find locally, plus the EU right of withdrawal (see below), which you generally do not have in a physical shop. The trade-off is waiting for delivery and not testing before you buy.

In store

You can sit on the sofa and lie on the mattress. Chains such as IKEA, Leroy Merlin, Conforama, El Corte Inglés and MediaMarkt have stores in and around Málaga. Note that shops are not legally required to accept returns of non-faulty items bought in store, so check their own return policy before paying.

Delivery and assembly: questions to ask before you pay

Where exactly is it delivered?

“Delivery” can mean to the street door or to your room. If you live upstairs without a lift, say so when ordering and check whether delivery to the floor costs extra.

Is assembly included?

Flat-pack furniture often needs assembling yourself. Some shops offer assembly or installation as a paid extra, and appliances such as washing machines may need a connection service.

Inspect on arrival

Open the packaging if you can and note visible damage on the delivery note before signing, then photograph it.

Keep the paperwork

Save the order confirmation, invoice and delivery note. You will need them for returns, guarantee claims and old-appliance collection.

Your rights: returns, guarantee and prices

14-day right of withdrawal

For online and other distance purchases from a business, you can generally cancel within 14 calendar days of receiving the goods without giving a reason. If the seller did not inform you properly about this right, the period is extended by up to 12 months. The seller must refund you, including standard delivery charges, within 14 days of being told, but may wait until it has the goods back or proof you sent them. You may have to pay return shipping if the seller told you so in advance, which matters for bulky furniture. Made-to-measure or personalised items are excluded.

Three-year legal guarantee

For new goods bought from a business on or after 1 January 2022, the minimum legal guarantee in Spain is three years (previously two). If a fault appears in the first two years, it is presumed to have existed at delivery unless the seller proves otherwise. A manufacturer’s commercial warranty is extra and does not replace the legal one.

IVA is already in the price

Prices shown to consumers in Spain must include taxes, so the price you see includes IVA (VAT), which is 21% on most furniture and appliances.

Where to get help

If a shop will not honour a return or guarantee, submit a written complaint first (“hoja de reclamaciones” in store, or in writing online). In Andalucía, Consumo Responde (900 21 50 80) gives free consumer advice, and the European Consumer Centre helps with disputes involving shops in other EU countries.

Getting rid of old furniture and appliances

Retailer take-back

Under Spanish rules on electrical waste, a shop selling you a new appliance, online included, must accept your old equivalent appliance free of charge on a one-for-one basis. Online sellers must explain on their website how collection works. Large electronics stores also take very small devices (no side longer than 25 cm) without a purchase. Ask about collection when you order.

Punto limpio and bulky collection

Every municipality has access to a “punto limpio”, a recycling point for furniture, appliances, paint and electronics. Many town halls also collect bulky items (“enseres” or “voluminosos”) by appointment. Never leave furniture next to street bins unless your ayuntamiento’s collection service has told you to, as fines can apply.

Costa del Sol tips: heat and humidity

Air conditioning

Many homes have split units with heat pump (“bomba de calor”), useful in winter too. If you rent, ask the landlord before installing anything fixed.

Fans

A ceiling or standing fan is a cheap way to stay comfortable and uses far less power than AC.

Humidity

Coastal flats can get damp in winter. Ventilate daily, keep furniture slightly away from outside walls and consider a dehumidifier.

Outdoor pieces

Terrace furniture needs to handle strong sun. Look for UV-resistant materials and cushions you can store indoors.

Partner shops (ad)

These online shops are affiliate partners of NewInSpain. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Check delivery to your address, return terms and fees on each shop before ordering.

Nordic Nest

Swedish online shop for Scandinavian design: tableware, kitchen items, lighting, rugs and textiles, furniture and outdoor furniture from a large range of Nordic brands.

Visit Nordic Nest (ad) →

El Maestro de la Iluminación

Lighting specialist with modern and classic lamps from more than 100 brands, including Scandinavian names such as Louis Poulsen, &Tradition, GUBI, Fritz Hansen, Ferm Living, Le Klint and Muuto.

Visit El Maestro de la Iluminación (ad) →

MAIASHOP

Spanish shop for artificial and preserved plants, from olive trees and palms to ficus, bamboo and eucalyptus.

Visit MAIASHOP (ad) →

Lifetime

Spanish store for Lifetime products: folding tables and chairs, outdoor storage sheds and chests, and leisure items such as basketball hoops and kayaks.

Visit Lifetime (ad) →

SharkNinja

Official Spanish shop for Shark and Ninja: Shark vacuum cleaners and floor-care products, and Ninja kitchen appliances such as air fryers, blenders and multi-cookers.

Visit SharkNinja (ad) →

Electrotodo

Spanish specialist in spare parts and accessories for household appliances: parts for fridges, washing machines, coffee makers and kitchen robots, plus filters, bags, descalers and kitchenware. Worth checking before you replace an appliance that only needs a part.

Visit Electrotodo (ad) →

Furnishing your home in Spain – FAQ

Can I return furniture I bought online in Spain if I change my mind?

Generally yes. For online purchases from a business you have 14 calendar days from delivery to withdraw without giving a reason. You may have to pay return shipping if the shop told you so beforehand, and made-to-measure or personalised items are excluded.

How long is the guarantee on a new appliance in Spain?

The minimum legal guarantee for new goods bought since 1 January 2022 is three years. Any manufacturer warranty comes on top of this and does not reduce your legal rights against the seller.

Will the shop take away my old washing machine or fridge?

Shops selling you a new appliance, including online shops, must accept your old equivalent appliance free of charge on a one-for-one basis. Ask how collection works when you order. For furniture, use your local punto limpio or the town hall’s bulky item collection.

Do I need to add IVA to prices I see in Spanish shops?

No. Prices shown to consumers must include taxes, so IVA is already included. Delivery, assembly or installation can still be charged on top, so check the total at checkout.

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Consumer rules and shop conditions can change, so always check the current terms with the seller and, if in doubt, with Consumo Responde or a consumer organisation. Links marked “(ad)” are affiliate links: NewInSpain may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.