What furniture do you actually need for your first apartment in Germany?

German apartments come empty. Not "missing a few things" empty — truly bare: no light fixtures, sometimes no kitchen, occasionally no floor covering. If you're arriving from abroad and signing your first lease here, that can feel overwhelming fast. This list cuts through the noise and tells you what to prioritize, room by room, before you spend a cent on anything decorative.

The bedroom

Sleep is non-negotiable, so sort this first. A bed frame and mattress are the obvious starting point, but the mattress matters more than the frame — a cheap one will wreck your back and your mood within a week. German mattresses are typically sold separately from bed frames and come in standard sizes: 90×200 cm (single) or 140×200 cm (double). Check which fits your room before you order anything. Beyond the bed: • Wardrobe — most German bedrooms have no built-in closet, so this is essential, not optional • Bedside table — one at minimum; somewhere to put your phone and a glass of water • Lamp — remember, most rooms have no ceiling light fitting when you move in • Curtains or blackout blind — German summers are bright well past 9 pm

The living room

You don't need to furnish this space to magazine standards. What you actually need is somewhere to sit and a surface to eat or work from, especially in the first weeks when the apartment doubles as your office and dining room. • Sofa or armchair — a two-seater is enough to start; it doesn't have to be large • Coffee table or side table — surfaces get used constantly • Desk and chair — if you're working from home, this should rank as high as the bed • Floor lamp — again, no ceiling light means no light without it A TV and TV unit can come later. A rug is worth having if you have laminate or tile floors — it makes a room feel liveable surprisingly quickly and cuts the echo.

The kitchen

This is where Germany surprises most newcomers. A fitted kitchen — what Germans call an Einbauküche — is often not included in the rental. Sometimes the previous tenant takes it when they leave. Before moving in, confirm with your landlord exactly what stays: cooker, fridge, dishwasher, sink unit. Don't assume. If the kitchen is unfurnished, your priority order is: fridge, cooker or induction hob, microwave (as a short-term substitute if needed), then a small table and chairs if the kitchen is large enough to eat in. For day-one kitchen supplies, keep it minimal: • One good pan and one pot • A knife, chopping board, and basic utensils • Plates, bowls, mugs, and cutlery for the number of people actually living there • A kettle — considered essential in most of Europe

The bathroom and the stuff people forget

Bathrooms in Germany are usually fitted, so you're not sourcing a toilet or shower. What you do need are the small things that add up fast if you buy them individually without thinking. • Shower curtain and rail — many bathrooms have a tub with no screen • Bath mat • Towel rail or hooks • Toilet brush — Germans consider this non-optional • Mirror — not always present even in the bathroom Outside the bathroom, two things people consistently underestimate: a drying rack ( Wäscheständer ), because most German apartments have no tumble dryer, and an ironing board. Small, but you'll want them in week one.

A note on how to get all this

Buying everything outright — especially if you're here for a year or two — means you'll eventually have to sell it all, donate it, or pay to dispose of it. Germany has strict rules around bulky waste disposal, and selling furniture on Kleinanzeigen takes time you probably don't have when you're also starting a new job or semester. Renting your furniture and home essentials as a package, with delivery and setup included, sidesteps all of that. When your stay ends, it gets collected. No marketplace listings, no disposal fees, no van hire. If you're based in Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt, that's exactly what UniRents offers — everything on this list, delivered before you arrive if you need it. Start with what you need to sleep, work, cook, and wash. Everything else is details.