Moving Into Our Lisbon Apartment: Smart Purchases, Cozy Spaces, and Budget-Friendly Solutions

Moving to Lisbon has been one of the most exciting experiences of our lives but also one of the most expensive. Even though our new apartment came fully furnished, we quickly realized that “furnished” doesn’t always mean “fully equipped.” To settle in comfortably without overspending, we created a detailed list of essentials and set out to furnish our space in the smartest and fastest way possible.

Below, I’m sharing exactly what we bought, where we bought it, and why so that anyone moving to Lisbon (or anywhere, really) can use this as a practical guide.

---

Living Room: Minimal Add-Ons Needed

Our living room was the least expensive room to set up. It already had an L-shaped sofa, a TV, curtains, a rug, and wall shelves. That meant we could leave it almost as it was and focus our budget on the rooms that actually needed attention.

Since the sofa is also a sleeper, it will comfortably host 2–3 guests. Combined with another sleeper sofa in the second room, and our inflatable mattress, we can easily host up to 7 people which is perfect because several friends are already eager to visit our new home in Lisbon!

---

Creating a Functional Home Office

Right next to the living room was an empty room that my husband wanted to turn into his office. Since he used to work with a huge desk and three monitors back in our old home, this move was his first step toward a minimalist lifestyle.

To make the space functional, ergonomic, and budget-friendly, we chose:

• A compact L-shaped desk for the corner by the window
  👉 https://amzn.to/4p7KnWD

• A comfortable office chair from Amazon
  👉 https://amzn.to/3LX3lRd

The room already had two small bedside tables left by the landlord, so we didn’t need storage right away. For comfort, we added:

• A foldable sleeper sofa
  👉 https://amzn.to/4iqVBTK

• A pet-friendly, easy-to-clean rug (important for our two dogs)
  👉 https://amzn.to/4prl2GR

This setup made the office cozy without requiring a big budget.

---

The Real Challenge: No Closets

The only downside of this apartment? No built-in wardrobes.
Both our bedroom and the office came with two open clothing racks each. To manage until we settle in permanently in January, I ordered:

• A sturdy standing wardrobe rack
  👉 https://amzn.to/3KdR8qz

It works for now, but we’ll definitely need more permanent storage solutions soon.

---

Our Bedroom: Simple and Comfortable

We kept the bedroom minimal, buying only:

• A soft rug suitable for our furry babies
  👉 https://amzn.to/48jJROc

• The same standing rack above for clothes

It’s simple, functional, and warm.

---

Bathroom Essentials: Battling Lisbon Humidity

If you’re moving to Portugal, you’ll hear one word a lot: humidity.
Older Portuguese homes—like ours—tend to have moisture issues. Thankfully, the apartment already had one dehumidifier, but that wasn’t enough.

So we invested in:

• A second dehumidifier
  👉 https://amzn.to/3K2h3lb

And for freshening up the space:

• Soft, quick-drying towels
  👉 https://amzn.to/3K2h3lb

• Extra towel sets
  👉 https://amzn.to/4act8Pb

Now the bathroom feels much more manageable, even on rainy days.

---

Hallway & Storage Room

We didn’t buy anything for the entryway or the corridor. One of the smaller rooms near the hallway already had built-in shelves, so we’re using it as a storage room for luggage, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, and detergents. It’s not glamorous—but extremely practical.

---

Kitchen: Affordable Replacements & Daily Comfort Items

The kitchen is spacious and bright, with a gas stove, oven, dishwasher, and microwave. The landlord left some dishes and glasses, but we preferred using our own.

So we picked up:

• Affordable plates and bowls
  👉 https://amzn.to/4act8Pb

• Glass set
  👉 https://amzn.to/4oZTrwN

Since we’re a coffee-and-tea-loving family, these were absolutely necessary:

• Coffee maker
  👉 https://amzn.to/49D8ZSe

• Electric kettle
  👉 https://amzn.to/4o7vjXD

There are still many things we’ll eventually buy for the kitchen, but there’s no rush. Lisbon is teaching us to slow down and enjoy the process.

---

Dining Room: Simple but Charming

The dining room already came with a dining table, four chairs, and a standing lamp. Combined with the kitchen’s warm atmosphere, it gives the whole apartment a homey, lived-in feel.

---

Final Thoughts: Our First Lisbon Home

Writing all this out makes it sound like the apartment is huge—but in reality, it’s a cozy 87 m² space. Still, it has everything we need for a warm start to our new life in Portugal.

This apartment may be small, but it’s ours. And we’re excited for the new memories, new friends, and new routines it will bring. Lisbon has already started to feel like home.