Your First 30 Days in Dubai: What to Furnish First

7 days ago

4 min read

Quick answer: In your first 30 days in Dubai, sort out sleep first (beds and mattresses), then somewhere to sit and eat, then storage. Order anything made to order, such as sofas, dining tables and fitted wardrobes, in your first week, because custom furniture typically takes 4 to 6 weeks and fitted wardrobes 3 to 4 weeks. Leave rugs, art and decorative pieces until your shipment arrives and you've lived in the space for a while.

Wingback bed in a new Dubai bedroom – furnishing a new home in Dubai — Beds come first: a good night's sleep makes the rest of the move easier.

Before you land

Get the floor plan and key measurements of your new home, including the lift and door sizes (see will your furniture fit).
Decide what's coming in your shipment and what you'll buy here (see shipping furniture to Dubai or buying new).
Send photos of pieces you're unsure about. We'll tell you whether reupholstery is worth it.
If you'll need fitted joinery, ask us for a site visit as soon as you have access to the property.

Days 1–7: sleep, sit and eat

Start with beds and mattresses in UAE sizes, then somewhere to sit and a table to eat at. This is also the week to order anything made to order, so it arrives soon after you've settled. Bedside tables are easy to forget and make a big difference. The Holland Park Bedside Table is a round design with a drawer, and our bedside table guide has more options.

Holland Park round bedside table with drawer, made in Dubai — The Holland Park Bedside Table, made in our Al Quoz workshop.

Week 2: storage and the big pieces

Once you've spent a few nights in the home, you'll know where storage is short. Book a site visit for fitted wardrobes or a walk-in wardrobe. Confirm your sofa size now you've seen the room. See our sofa guide and corner sofa guide. If you're replacing your dining table, measure the room with chairs pulled out before you choose a size.

Curved sofa made to order for a Dubai living room — Order your sofa once you've lived in the room for a week or two.

Weeks 3–4: when your shipment arrives

Sea freight timings vary, so plan to live without your shipment for a while. When it arrives:

Unpack promptly and check every piece for transit damage before signing off with your mover.
Let solid wood settle in the air conditioning for a few weeks (see furniture and the Dubai climate).
Book reupholstery or loose covers for sofas and chairs that need a refresh. Turnaround is typically 2 to 3 weeks (see reupholstering furniture after moving to Dubai).
Decide what doesn't suit the new home, and sell or replace it.

After 30 days: finishing the home

Now add the layers: rugs, art, custom cushions, an end-of-bed bench, and outdoor furniture for the cooler months. If you have a terrace or garden, an indoor-outdoor table such as the Pietra Dining Table with a sintered stone top and solid teak legs is made for Dubai's outdoor season.

Pietra indoor-outdoor dining table on a Dubai terrace — The Pietra Dining Table works indoors and outdoors.

Your first-30-days furniture checklist

Days 1–7: beds and mattresses, bedside tables, somewhere to sit, a dining table, and order any custom pieces.
Week 2: wardrobe site visit, confirm sofa and dining table sizes, plan outdoor space.
Weeks 3–4: shipment arrives, check for damage, book reupholstery or restoration, let wood settle.
After 30 days: rugs, art, cushions, benches and outdoor furniture.

Upholstered storage bench at the end of a bed in Dubai — Finishing touches such as an end-of-bed bench can wait until you've settled in.

Moving soon? Talk to us before you ship

Send us photos and rough measurements of your furniture on WhatsApp at 052 981 3180 before your shipment is packed. We'll tell you honestly what's worth bringing, what can be reupholstered or restored once it arrives, and what we can make for your new home in our Al Quoz workshop. You can also call the workshop on +971 4 529 9742.

Frequently asked questions

What furniture should I buy first when moving to Dubai?

Beds and mattresses first, then somewhere to sit and eat, then storage. Order anything made to order in your first week so it arrives soon after you settle.

How long does custom furniture take in Dubai?

At Adams Furniture, made-to-order furniture typically takes 4 to 6 weeks and fitted wardrobes 3 to 4 weeks, so order in your first week or before you arrive.

Should I wait for my shipment before buying furniture in Dubai?

Buy the essentials you need straight away, such as beds and somewhere to sit, but wait for your shipment and some time in the space before buying rugs, art and decorative pieces.

How long does a fitted wardrobe take in Dubai?

A single fitted wardrobe typically takes 3 to 4 weeks from design approval to installation at Adams Furniture, after a free site visit.

Can my shipped furniture be refurbished when it arrives in Dubai?

Yes. Adams Furniture reupholsters sofas and chairs, makes loose covers and restores teak, with a typical turnaround of 2 to 3 weeks and collection and delivery in Dubai included for reupholstery.

Does Adams Furniture deliver across Dubai and the UAE?

Yes. Adams Furniture makes furniture in its Al Quoz workshop in Dubai and serves residential and commercial clients across the UAE.

Adams Furniture