Household Goods and Furniture in Iceland
Furniture in Iceland is expensive, but knowing where to shop makes a big difference. A guide to new stores, secondhand options, online marketplaces, and practical household tips for setting up your Icelandic home.
Setting up a home in Iceland
Furniture in Iceland is expensive. A basic IKEA sofa starts around 12,000 ISK for a cover set but a mid-range two-seater runs 25,000–30,000 ISK, and Icelandic design stores charge significantly more. If you are moving to Iceland and need to furnish an apartment, knowing where to shop (and what your apartment already includes) will save you thousands of krónúr and a lot of frustration.
This article covers what Icelandic rental apartments typically come with, where to buy new and secondhand furniture, where to find appliances and electronics, and the practical household details that catch newcomers off guard.
Table of contents
What your rental apartment includes
The first thing to figure out before you start shopping is what your apartment already has. Icelandic rental norms are different from what you may be used to, and “unfurnished” does not mean completely empty.
Most unfurnished rentals in Iceland include a stove and oven. Many also include a refrigerator, though this varies by landlord. Beyond that, expect bare rooms. No bed, no sofa, no dining table, no curtains.
Furnished rentals exist but are less common and cost more. They typically include beds, a sofa, a dining set, and full kitchen appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher, microwave). Always confirm the exact inventory before signing a lease. “Furnished” means different things to different landlords.
Washing machines are not standard in every apartment. Some units have one built in, others share a communal laundry room (þóttahús) in the building. Dryers are less common. Most Icelanders dry clothes on racks near radiators, which works well given that Icelandic homes are heated with geothermal hot water and stay consistently warm.
If you are shipping belongings from abroad, read our guide to international shipping to Iceland. For everyone else, the sections below cover where to buy everything you need locally.
Where to buy new furniture
Iceland has a decent selection of furniture stores, from budget chains to high-end Icelandic design. New furniture in Iceland costs more than in mainland Europe across the board, partly due to import costs and partly due to the small market. Budget accordingly.
IKEA
IKEA Iceland is the default starting point for most people furnishing a home. It is the most affordable option for basics. A BILLY bookshelf costs 9,950 ISK, a MALM bed frame runs 27,950 ISK, and a LAGKAPTEN desk is 16,850 ISK (as of March 2026).
IKEA Iceland offers home delivery in the capital region and shipping to rural areas through Dropp pickup points, Pósturinn, and Samskip. Stock availability can be inconsistent on popular items, so check the website before making the trip.
The IKEA store is located in Garðabær, just south of Reykjavík.
Budget and mid-range stores
Rúmfatalagerinn is the Icelandic branch of JYSK, the Danish furniture chain. It sells affordable beds, sofas, shelving, and household basics. Two locations: Skeifan in Reykjavík and Fiskislóð in the harbour area. Website: rumfatalagerinn.is.
Söstrene Grene is a Danish variety store with affordable home décor, kitchenware, storage, and small furniture. Locations in Smáralind and Kringlan shopping centres. Good for filling in the gaps once your big furniture is sorted. Website: sostrenegrene.is.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen sells inexpensive household items, kitchen gadgets, and small décor. The main store is on Laugavegur in central Reykjavík, with another location in Smáralind.
Mid-range to premium stores
Dorma specialises in beds, mattresses, and bedroom furniture. Three locations: Reykjavík, Smáratorg in Kópavogur, and Akureyri. Website: dorma.is.
Svefn og Heilsa is another mattress and sleep specialist, with stores in Reykjavík (Engjateigur 19) and Akureyri. Higher-end than Dorma. Website: svefnogheilsa.is.
Casa carries designer furniture and home accessories, including Italian brands like Calligaris. Locations on Skeifan, in Kringlan, and in Akureyri. Website: casa.is.
Heimahúsið at Ármúli 8 in Reykjavík sells quality furniture, lighting, and home accessories in the mid-to-premium range. Website: heimahusid.is.
Design and high-end
EPAL is one of Iceland’s oldest design retailers (founded 1975), carrying Icelandic and Nordic designers. Five locations including Skeifan, Smáralind, Kringlan, Laugavegur, and Hveragerði. Website: epal.is.
Húsgagnahöllin at Bíldshöfði 20 sells premium international furniture brands. This is the high end of the Icelandic market. Website: husgagnahollin.is.
AGUSTAV is a husband-and-wife workshop making handcrafted wood furniture in minimalist Nordic style. Not a walk-in store, but worth knowing about if you want something locally made and distinctive. Website: agustav.com.
Where to buy secondhand
Buying used is the smartest way to get affordable furniture in Iceland. The expat community turns over constantly, which means good pieces appear on the secondhand market regularly. Prices are a fraction of new.
Online marketplaces
Bland.is is Iceland’s equivalent of Craigslist. The “Heimilið” (Home) section has subcategories for living room (stofa), bedroom (svefnherbergi), kitchen and bathroom (eldhús og baðherbergi), lighting (lýsing), office (skrifstofan), and outdoor (garður og utandyra). It is the single best place to find used furniture in Iceland. No account required to browse, but you need to register to post or message sellers.
Facebook Marketplace is widely used in Iceland for furniture sales. Search by location in the Reykjavík area.
Several Facebook groups also deal specifically in used goods. “Gefins, allt gefins!” has over 160,000 members and is dedicated to giving things away for free. People post furniture, appliances, baby gear, and household items regularly. “Sell & Buy in Reykjavik & Iceland” is an active buy/sell group in English, which is useful if your Icelandic is still developing.
Secondhand shops
Góði Hirðirinn is a charity thrift store operated by Sorpa, Reykjavík’s municipal waste company. Profits go to charitable causes. The store is located at Köllunarklettsvegur 1, a large warehouse space in the 104 district. They sell furniture, kitchenware, electronics, books, and household items. Open Monday to Friday 12:00–18:00 and Saturday 12:00–16:00. Website: godihirdirinn.is.
Rauði Krossinn (Red Cross) runs several thrift stores in Reykjavík. Primarily clothing and textiles, but they also carry household items. Locations on Laugavegur 12, Laugavegur 116 (Hlemmur), and inside Kringlan and Mjóddin shopping centres.
Hertex is the Salvation Army’s secondhand chain. The main location at Garðastræti 6 has a large basement section with more stock than the small street-level entrance suggests. Affordable prices across the board.
Samhjálp at Ármúli 11 is a non-profit supporting rehabilitation services. Mostly clothing, but occasionally has small household items and furniture at very low prices.
The flea market
Kolaportið is Reykjavík’s covered flea market, located at Tryggvagata 19 by the Old Harbour. Open on weekends only (Saturday and Sunday, 11:00–17:00). Vendors sell everything from vintage clothing and old books to kitchenware and small furniture. It is also one of the few places to buy traditional Icelandic food products like dried fish and fermented shark. Worth a visit even if you are not looking for furniture specifically.
Appliances and electronics
Beyond furniture in Iceland, you will likely need appliances. If you need to buy a washing machine, refrigerator, or other major appliance, you have two main options.
Elko is part of the Elkjøp Nordic chain and is Iceland’s largest electronics retailer. They sell washing machines, dryers, fridges, dishwashers, TVs, computers, and small kitchen appliances. Multiple locations in the capital region and Akureyri.
Ormsson (ormsson.is) has been operating since 1922 and sells home appliances and electronics. Stores in Reykjavík and Akureyri. They carry brands like Samsung, Dyson, and other major manufacturers.
For smaller kitchen appliances, tools, and home improvement supplies, the main hardware and home improvement stores are BYKO (byko.is, six locations including a flagship in Kópavogur), Húsasmiðjan (husa.is, 14 stores across Iceland including rural towns), Múrbúðin (murbudin.is), and Bauhaus (bauhaus.is). All four carry paint, lighting, bathroom fixtures, and general DIY supplies alongside some kitchen and household electronics.
Electrical compatibility
Iceland uses the European standard: 230V, 50Hz, with Type F (Schuko) sockets. Type C (Europlug) also fits.
If you are coming from mainland Europe, your appliances will work with no issues. Plugs fit directly or with a simple Type C to Type F adapter.
If you are coming from the US, Canada, or Japan (110–120V countries), check every appliance label before plugging it in. Devices labelled “100–240V, 50/60Hz” (most laptop chargers, phone chargers, and modern electronics) need only a plug adapter. Single-voltage devices (many hair dryers, kitchen appliances, and older electronics) need a voltage converter, or they will burn out. It is often cheaper to buy new appliances in Iceland than to ship heavy converters.
If you are coming from the UK, your appliances run on the same voltage (230V) but use Type G plugs. You need a plug adapter but not a voltage converter.
Practical household tips
A few things about Icelandic homes that are different from what most newcomers expect.
Tap water
Iceland’s tap water is some of the cleanest in the world. It comes from natural springs and glacial sources, is tested to EU standards, and is completely safe to drink straight from the tap. Do not waste money on bottled water or a filter.
One thing to know: the hot tap water smells faintly of sulphur (hydrogen sulphide) because it comes directly from geothermal sources. This is harmless. For drinking, always use the cold tap. If it smells slightly sulphuric on first use, let it run for a few seconds and it clears.
Heating
Over 90% of Icelandic homes are heated by geothermal district heating. Hot water is piped from geothermal plants into radiators throughout the building. This makes heating remarkably cheap by European standards.
Whether heating is included in your rent depends on the lease. Always check. When it is billed separately, expect it to be a relatively small expense compared to what you are used to. Electricity (used for lighting, appliances, and cooking) is also inexpensive in Iceland since nearly all of it comes from renewable hydroelectric and geothermal sources.
Drying clothes
Most Icelanders air-dry their laundry on drying racks placed near radiators. Because homes are heated year-round by geothermal water, the air indoors is warm and dry, and clothes dry quickly. If your building has a shared laundry room (þóttahús), it may have a dryer available, but do not count on it.
What to bring versus what to buy
For most people moving from Europe, it is simpler and cheaper to buy household goods in Iceland rather than ship them. The cost of a half-container from Western Europe (around $3,800–$5,500 for sea freight, as covered in our shipping guide) often exceeds the replacement cost of basic furniture bought secondhand in Reykjavík.
Items worth bringing: sentimental pieces, speciality cookware, and electronics that work on 230V. Items not worth shipping: cheap furniture you can replace at IKEA, heavy appliances, anything that runs on 110V.
For a full breakdown of costs, timelines, and customs rules for shipping belongings to Iceland, see International Shipping to Iceland.
Frequently asked questions
Does IKEA deliver across Iceland?
IKEA offers home delivery in the greater Reykjavík area and ships to other parts of Iceland through partner services including Dropp pickup points, Pósturinn (the national postal service), and Samskip. Check ikea.is for current delivery options and fees.
What is the cheapest way to buy furniture in Iceland?
Buy secondhand. Check Bland.is daily for furniture listings, join the Facebook group “Gefins, allt gefins!” for free items, and visit Góði Hirðirinn for affordable used furniture and kitchenware. Many people furnish an entire apartment for under 200,000 ISK this way.
Do I need a voltage converter for my appliances?
If you are moving from Europe (230V countries), no. Your appliances will work with at most a plug adapter. If you are moving from the US, Canada, or Japan (110–120V), you need a converter for single-voltage appliances. Multi-voltage devices (check the label for “100–240V”) only need a plug adapter.
Is tap water safe to drink in Iceland?
Yes. Iceland’s tap water comes from natural springs and groundwater, meets EU quality standards, and is safe to drink directly from the cold tap without filtering. The hot water may have a faint sulphur smell from geothermal heating, which is harmless.
Do Icelandic apartments come with a washing machine?
Not always. Some apartments have an in-unit washing machine, others have access to a shared laundry room (þóttahús) in the building, and some have neither. Always ask before signing a lease.
Where can I buy a mattress in Iceland?
Dorma and Svefn og Heilsa are the two main mattress specialists, with stores in Reykjavík and Akureyri. IKEA and JYSK also sell mattresses at lower price points.
Last updated: March 2026
Helping you navigate your move and settling in the land of fire and ice.
