Furnishing an Apartment in China: Furniture, Appliances, Delivery, and Returns

Keep in mind
Rules and procedures can change. Check the linked official sources before acting on time-sensitive information.

Quick answer

What you need to know

Foreign residents furnishing an apartment in China should measure first, prioritize daily-use items, confirm elevator and delivery access, keep receipts, check return rules, and photograph furniture and appliances during handover.

Measure rooms, doorways, elevators, and delivery access before buying large furniture.
Prioritize mattress, desk, chair, storage, lighting, kitchen basics, and laundry setup.
Confirm delivery time, installation, old-item removal, and return rules before paying.
Keep receipts, screenshots, warranty cards, and appliance model numbers.
Document landlord-owned furniture separately from items you buy yourself.

Furnishing an apartment in China can be fast, but mistakes are common when residents buy before measuring, forget elevator limits, or miss return rules.

This guide helps foreign residents set up a practical home without turning move-in week into a delivery problem.

1. Measure before buying

Measure rooms, doorways, elevators, stairwells, hallway turns, and the wall space where furniture will sit. Large items can fail at the building entrance even when they fit the room.

If you are moving soon, review Moving Apartments in China for handover and logistics checks.

Illustrated furniture and delivery checklist in a China apartment

2. Prioritize daily-use items

Buy essentials first: mattress, desk, chair, lighting, storage, bedding, kitchen basics, cleaning tools, laundry rack, and bathroom items.

Decorative pieces can wait until you understand the apartment’s light, storage, and daily movement.

3. Confirm delivery and installation

Before paying, confirm delivery date, delivery floor, elevator access, installation fee, old-item removal, packaging removal, and what happens if the item arrives damaged.

For delivery communication, use Packages and Food Delivery in China.

4. Keep receipts and warranties

Save order screenshots, receipts, warranty cards, model numbers, seller chats, and photos of the item on arrival. This helps with repairs, returns, and later resale.

5. Separate landlord-owned items

If the apartment came furnished, keep landlord-owned furniture separate in your records. Photograph its condition at move-in and avoid replacing or discarding anything without written permission.

6. Think ahead to move-out

Heavy furniture can become expensive to move or dispose of. If your stay is short, consider secondhand items, foldable furniture, or pieces that can be resold easily.

Practical checklist

I measured rooms, doors, and elevators.
I prioritized sleep, work, storage, laundry, and lighting.
I confirmed delivery, installation, and return rules.
I kept receipts, screenshots, and warranty records.
I documented landlord-owned furniture separately.
I considered resale or move-out cost before buying heavy items.

Official sources

Frequently asked questions

Common questions

Can foreigners buy furniture easily in China?

Yes. Foreign residents can buy furniture through stores, online platforms, secondhand groups, and local markets. Delivery and installation details matter more than the purchase itself.

What should I buy first for a China apartment?

Prioritize sleep, work, cooking, cleaning, laundry, storage, lighting, and basic comfort before decorative items.

What should I check before ordering large furniture?

Measure doorways, elevators, stairs, room dimensions, wall space, delivery vehicle access, and whether property management requires advance notice.

How do returns work for furniture in China?

Return rules vary by seller and item. Confirm packaging, installation, damage checks, pickup fees, refund timing, and whether custom items are returnable before paying.

Should I photograph furniture after delivery?

Yes. Photograph packaging, item condition, model numbers, scratches, and installation results before confirming completion.