'The Best Furniture Stores in Germany: Where to Buy Furniture for Your
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In Germany, the easiest way to buy furniture is through major chains, online shops, and local second-hand marketplaces. For a first apartment, people most often look at IKEA, JYSK, Möbel Höffner, Porta, home24, Poco, Roller, and XXXLutz: they differ in price, style, delivery, and how easy it is to collect a purchase without your own car.
In brief: where to go for furniture
If you need a quick overview, start with these options:
| Need | Where to look first |
|---|---|
| Affordable basic furniture for a first apartment | IKEA, JYSK, Poco, Roller |
| A large selection of sofas, kitchens, wardrobes, and sets | Möbel Höffner, Porta, XXXLutz |
| Modern furniture with online ordering | home24, IKEA, specialist online shops |
| Cheap items for the short term | Kleinanzeigen, flea markets, Sozialkaufhaus |
| Furniture you need to see and touch | IKEA, Höffner, Porta, XXXLutz, local Möbelhaus |
IKEA: the clearest starting point for newcomers
IKEA remains the most recognisable option for furnishing a home in Germany. It is chosen for its predictable style, broad range, clear prices, online ordering, Click & Collect, and the ability to buy almost everything for an apartment in one place.
IKEA’s main feature is that a substantial part of its furniture is sold in flat packs and designed for self-assembly. In the store, you view the displays, note the item numbers or scan products in the app, then collect the boxes from the self-service warehouse or arrange delivery.
What is convenient:
- lots of basic furniture for the bedroom, kitchen, living room, and workspace;
- it is easy to buy compatible items later;
- online stock checks are available for a specific store;
- Click & Collect, delivery, and assembly services are available;
- small household items can be bought together with larger furniture.
Points to consider:
- popular items can sell out quickly;
- large stores are busy at weekends;
- without a car, large purchases almost always require delivery, van hire, or help from a carrier;
- the final cost can increase because of delivery, assembly, and accessories.
JYSK: textiles, mattresses, and affordable Scandinavian style
JYSK previously operated in Germany under the name Dänisches Bettenlager. It is now a chain with many small and medium-sized stores, where it is convenient to buy mattresses, bedding, wardrobes, chests of drawers, garden furniture, lighting, and décor.
JYSK is especially useful if you want to cover basic needs quickly after moving: a bed, pillows, duvets, curtains, shelves, small tables, and storage items. The range is usually more compact than in large furniture stores, but branches are often located closer to residential areas.
Möbel Höffner, Porta, and XXXLutz: large furniture stores
If you need more than basic furniture and want a large selection of sofas, kitchens, wardrobes, children’s rooms, and dining sets, it is worth looking at large furniture stores.
Möbel Höffner suits people who want to see many options in person, from budget choices to more expensive sets. Such stores usually offer consultations on kitchens, wardrobe planning, delivery, and assembly.
Porta is similar in format: large stores, a broad range, furniture for different rooms, often with promotions and seasonal discounts. Its coverage depends more heavily on the region, so it is best to check the nearest store in your city.
XXXLutz is known for a wide selection of furniture and home goods. The chain has both large Möbelhaus stores and an online shop; in pricing, it can overlap with both the budget and mid-range segments.
For large furniture stores, it is important to clarify in advance:
- the delivery time for the specific model;
- whether carrying it upstairs is included in delivery;
- how much assembly costs;
- whether old furniture can be removed;
- which return conditions apply to custom kitchens, mattresses, and individual configurations.
home24 and buying furniture online
home24 is convenient if you want to choose furniture online and compare many models without travelling between stores. It is a good option for rugs, tables, chairs, beds, shelves, lighting, and mid-range furniture.
Online shopping saves time, but it has drawbacks: the colour, fabric, mattress firmness, or wood texture may differ from expectations. Before ordering a large or expensive item, it is therefore useful to read the return conditions, delivery times, and reviews for the specific model.
Budget stores: Poco and Roller
Poco and Roller are often chosen when you need to furnish a home cheaply and without a long wait. You can find entry-level kitchens, wardrobes, beds, tables, office chairs, rugs, lighting, and household basics there.
This is a practical option for a temporary apartment, student housing, or the first year after moving. Before buying, look carefully at the materials, dimensions, delivery times, and reviews: a low price may mean simpler fittings, thinner panels, or self-assembly with little margin for durability.
Local furniture stores and regional chains
Germany has many regional Möbelhaus stores that are not always known throughout the country. For example, Schaffrath can be found in the Düsseldorf and Lower Rhine area. Other federal states may have their own strong local chains and family-run stores.
They are worth checking if you are looking for:
- furniture that is not from a mass-market catalogue;
- personal advice;
- discounted display models;
- kitchens or wardrobes with planning services;
- delivery and assembly from a local team.
Buy online or visit a store?
For small items, online ordering is often more convenient: décor, lighting, small tables, office accessories, and textiles are easier to compare by price and order to your home. For sofas, mattresses, dining chairs, kitchens, and wardrobes, it is best to see similar models in person at least once.
An in-store visit helps you check:
- the firmness of a mattress or sofa;
- the height of a chair and table;
- the actual shade of fabric or wood;
- the quality of fittings;
- how easily drawers and doors open;
- the size of furniture relative to the room.
Online shopping is better if you know the exact model, found a good price, or are buying an item with clear specifications.
Delivery, assembly, and collection
Delivery conditions in Germany vary greatly by store, distance, furniture size, and selected services. Small items are often delivered by DHL, Hermes, or another parcel service. Large furniture is usually delivered by a Spedition, meaning a freight company that agrees a day and time window in advance.
Before paying, check:
- whether delivery is to the building entrance or the apartment;
- whether carrying it upstairs is included;
- whether the furniture will be brought into the required room;
- whether assembly is included or charged separately;
- whether old furniture can be collected;
- what happens if the box does not fit in the lift or stairwell.
If you collect furniture yourself, some stores let you hire a van. It can sometimes be cheaper to rent a Transporter from a standard rental company, such as Europcar, Sixt, or a local Autovermietung. In that case, check the insurance, deposit, mileage limits, and whether your licence entitles you to drive such a vehicle beforehand.
If you do not have a valid German driving licence or do not want to drive a van yourself, you can look for a Möbeltaxi or a small Umzugsfirma. For heavy wardrobes, sofas, and carrying items upstairs without a lift, this is often less stressful than asking friends.
Where to buy second-hand furniture
Second-hand furniture in Germany can save you a lot of money, especially in the first few months after moving. The most popular options are:
- Kleinanzeigen—formerly eBay Kleinanzeigen, the largest private classifieds marketplace;
- local Facebook groups and neighbourhood chats;
- Flohmarkt and Haushaltsauflösung;
- Sozialkaufhaus and charity shops;
- antique shops and vintage stores.
When buying from private sellers, check the furniture’s condition, dimensions, odours, signs of moisture, structural stability, and whether the item can be disassembled for transport. Be especially careful with upholstered furniture and mattresses: the savings are not always worth the risk.
How to choose a store for your situation
If you have just moved
Buy the basics first: a mattress or bed, table, chair, lighting, storage, and kitchen essentials. IKEA, JYSK, Poco, Roller, and Kleinanzeigen are well suited for this. It is better to choose expensive wardrobes, a sofa, and a kitchen once you fully understand the apartment layout and how long you will live there.
If you will stay in the apartment for a long time
Compare several large furniture stores and check the materials and delivery conditions. For a kitchen, large wardrobe, or sofa, it makes sense to plan a consultation, take measurements, and not rush the order.
If your budget is limited
Combine new and second-hand items: it is better to buy a mattress and soft furnishings new, while a table, shelves, chest of drawers, chairs, and lamps can be found on Kleinanzeigen or at a Flohmarkt.
If you do not have a car
Count delivery as part of the budget from the outset. A cheap wardrobe from a distant store can become uneconomical if delivery, carrying it upstairs, and assembly cost almost as much as the item itself.
Common mistakes when buying furniture in Germany
- buying large furniture before taking exact measurements of the room, doors, lift, and stairs;
- looking only at the item’s price, not delivery and assembly;
- not checking the delivery time before signing an order;
- forgetting that kitchens and individual configurations often have special return conditions;
- buying second-hand furniture without knowing who will transport it and how;
- buying too many temporary items that are hard to sell or move later.
FAQ
Which furniture store in Germany is the most versatile?
For most newcomers, IKEA is the most versatile starting point: it is easy to buy basic furniture, storage, textiles, tableware, and small household items there. But for sofas, kitchens, and wardrobes, it is also worth comparing Höffner, Porta, XXXLutz, and local furniture stores.
Where can you buy furniture for a first apartment more cheaply?
The most budget-friendly set is often put together from IKEA, JYSK, Poco, Roller, and second-hand items from Kleinanzeigen. The cheapest option is not always the best: check durability, delivery, and whether the furniture can be disassembled for your next move.
Is it worth buying furniture online?
Yes, if you understand the dimensions, material, and return conditions. For mattresses, sofas, and chairs, it is better to test similar models in a store first or choose a seller with a clear return policy.
Can you negotiate in German furniture stores?
Sometimes, especially for a display model, the last item in stock, a furniture set, or an expensive order. A discount is not guaranteed, but in large furniture stores it is perfectly normal to politely ask about the price, a promotion, or free delivery.
Conclusion
There is no single best furniture store in Germany for everyone. IKEA and JYSK are convenient for a quick start; Höffner, Porta, and XXXLutz for a wide selection; Poco, Roller, and Kleinanzeigen for affordable furnishing; and home24 and the chains’ own websites for online purchases. The key is to consider not only the furniture price, but also delivery, assembly, lead times, returns, and transport to your apartment.
