Furnishing Your Short-Term Home in Korea
This guide serves as a comprehensive roadmap for furnishing a temporary residence in Korea, demystifying the process by exploring three primary strategies: the convenience of renting, the economy of buying second-hand, and the fresh start of buying new. It begins by establishing a baseline—understanding what a typical Korean apartment, particularly the common "officetel," already provides—before delving into a detailed analysis of each furnishing path.
Not sure what kind of housing fits your lifestyle in these neighborhoods? Check out our guide to the 6 different types of housing in Korea.
The Foundation: What Your Apartment Already Has (And What It Doesn't)
For many single professionals, students, and expatriates, the most common form of housing encountered is the officetel (오피스텔). A key feature that makes officetels highly attractive to short-term residents is that they are typically offered as "full-option" (풀옵션), meaning they come equipped with major appliances built directly into the unit's structure.
This market standard has developed in direct response to the high turnover rate of its target demographic. By including essential, bulky appliances, landlords make their properties more appealing and reduce the logistical friction for incoming tenants, which in turn minimizes costly vacancy periods.
The standard "full-option" package almost universally includes:
Air Conditioner: Typically a wall-mounted unit, essential for Korea's hot and humid summers.
Washing Machine: A compact, front-loading washer is a standard feature. However, dryers are exceptionally rare in Korean homes.
Refrigerator: A small- to medium-sized refrigerator with a freezer compartment is usually built into the kitchen cabinetry.
Stovetop: An electric induction or gas cooktop with one or two burners is standard.
Built-in Closet: A wardrobe or closet is typically integrated into the wall to save space.
Kitchen Table: Often a small, built-in feature, like a slide-out table, a small kitchen island, or a bar-style counter, rather than a separate, freestanding table.
Microwave (전자레인지): A basic microwave is frequently included, often placed on a dedicated shelf or built directly into the cabinetry to save counter space.
What You'll Always Need to Buy:
Bed and/or Mattress: The most significant missing piece is a place to sleep.
Bedding: This includes pillows, a blanket(ibul, 이불), and sheets.
TV: If you are a TV watcher, you need to buy one yourself.
Work Desk: Unless you're comfortable using the small built-in kitchen table, you'll need to buy a proper desk.(Some units might include work desk)
Tea Table: This is considered personal decor and is not included.
Couch: Sofas are almost never included in a standard rental package.
Chair: A chair is usually not provided. You will need to buy your own for a desk or dining.
Drying Rack: With no dryer provided, a collapsible drying rack is non-negotiable for laundry.
Kitchenware: Pots, pans, dishes, and cutlery are not provided.
Bath Towels: Korean towels are typically the size of hand towels in Western countries; those who prefer larger bath sheets must find one.
Cleaning Supplies & Trash Bags: Basic supplies and district-specific, pre-paid trash bags are the tenant's responsibility.
The Three Paths to a Furnished Home
With a clear understanding of what is needed, a newcomer can choose from three distinct strategies for furnishing their home. Each path offers a different balance of cost, convenience, and commitment, and the optimal choice depends heavily on the individual's length of stay, budget, and tolerance for logistical challenges.
Path 1: Renting Furniture & Electronics
For those prioritizing a seamless transition with minimal hassle, renting furniture and electronics is the most straightforward option. This path is particularly well-suited for corporate expatriates whose relocations are managed by their companies, or for individuals on very short-term contracts (under a year) where the cost of buying and reselling items would be impractical.
The primary advantage of renting is the elimination of logistical burdens. Reputable rental companies handle everything from delivery and professional installation to the final pickup at the end of the lease term. This service effectively solves the "exit problem"—the significant challenge of what to do with acquired items upon departure. When comparing the total cost of ownership, one must factor in the time, effort, and potential financial loss associated with reselling or disposing of purchased goods. For short stays, the higher monthly cost of renting can be offset by the guaranteed, hassle-free removal of all items.
Furniture and Electronics Rental Services In Seoul
CORT Global Network: A prominent international player, CORT specializes in serving corporate expatriates and their families. They offer comprehensive, pre-designed furniture packages (e.g., for students, military personnel, or different home sizes) and provide full-service support in English, coordinating with local partners to manage the entire process from consultation to final pickup. Lease terms are flexible, but pricing is typically determined after a consultation to assess individual needs.
Local Rental Services: Beyond the international networks, Korea has a vibrant domestic market for rental services that cater directly to consumers. Companies like Billiego (빌리고), Rental Friend (렌탈프랜드), Rentre (렌트리), and The Rental (더렌탈) operate extensive online platforms. They offer a vast range of individual items, from large electronics like TVs and air purifiers to furniture such as beds, couches, and desks.
Path 2: Buying Second-Hand
For the budget-conscious resident willing to invest time and effort, the second-hand market offers an incredibly economical way to furnish a home. In recent years, the perception of used goods in Korea has shifted dramatically from a lingering stigma to a form of smart, eco-friendly "value shopping". Best places to buy second-hand furniture and electronics for expats is Karrot (당근마켓).
A Foreigner's Guide to Karrot (당근마켓)
Karrot, or Danggeun Market, is a hyper-local, community-based marketplace app that has fundamentally reshaped how people in Korea trade used goods. With nearly 20 million monthly active users, it operates on a principle of trust, verifying users' locations to ensure they are trading with actual neighbors.
Step 1: Setup and Verification: The first step is to download the app and create an account. The app's core function relies on verifying one's physical neighborhood via GPS.
Step 2: Searching for Items: While the app's interface is intuitive, searching requires basic Korean keywords. Using a translation tool is essential. Key search terms include:
Bed: 침대 (chim-dae)
Desk: 책상 (chaek-sang)
Chair: 의자 (ui-ja)
Sofa: 소파 (sopa)
*Listings often use shorthand to describe an item's condition, such as A급 ("Grade A, like new") or B급 ("minor scratches").
Step 3: Communicating and Negotiating: All communication happens via the app's built-in chat. It is crucial to use polite, formal language. Translation apps should be set to the honorific mode to avoid coming across as rude, which can cause sellers to end the deal. To inquire about an item, a simple "올리신 물건 구매 가능 한가요?" (Is this item still available?) is a good start. Polite negotiation is common; one can ask, "조금만 네고 될까요?" (Could you do a small discount?).
Step 4: Payment: Payment is typically handled via Karrot Pay (the app's integrated payment system), a direct bank transfer (gye-jwa i-che, 계좌이체), or cash in person. Foreign credit cards are generally not an option.
Step 5: Arranging Delivery (용달): This is often the most challenging step for foreigners. Sellers are not responsible for delivery. For large items like a bed or sofa, the buyer must arrange for a yong-dal (용달), a small pickup truck delivery service. The cost for a local yong-dal is typically between 30,000 and 70,000 KRW.
Path 3: Buying New
For those with a larger budget or a longer-term stay in mind, buying new furniture and electronics offers the benefits of pristine condition, manufacturer warranties, and a wide selection of modern styles. However, it is the most expensive option upfront and comes with the significant responsibility of having to sell or dispose of everything upon departure.
There are many online shopping malls for furniture and electronics:
Ohouse (오늘의집): This platform is less a simple store and more a "lifestyle superapp" that seamlessly integrates social media-style home tours with e-commerce. Users can browse beautifully curated photos of real homes, and if they see a piece of furniture they like, they can tap on a tag to purchase it directly.
Coupang (쿠팡): Often called the "Amazon of Korea," Coupang is the go-to platform for speed and convenience. Its signature "Rocket Delivery" service promises next-day delivery for millions of items, including furniture and electronics.
IKEA (이케아): The Swedish furniture giant offers a familiar and budget-friendly option for many expatriates. With several large physical stores in the Seoul metropolitan area and a full-featured online store, IKEA is a reliable source for basic, modern furniture.
Furnishing a temporary home in South Korea presents a choice between distinct trade-offs in cost, convenience, and commitment. The optimal strategy is highly dependent on the duration of the stay. In the next post, we will talk about The Exit Strategy: Planning Your Departure.
Not sure which strategy is right for you? Book a free consultation with our experts—we’ll help you decide.
