For anyone moving into a newly built home, investment property or first apartment, one question quickly arises.

How much will it cost to furnish the entire house?

While prices vary depending on individual taste and product selection, IKEA has demonstrated that it is possible to furnish an entire three-bedroom home using a coordinated range of furniture, storage, lighting and accessories.

The result may not be luxury living, but it can provide a practical, attractive and functional home at a predictable cost.

Starting with a plan

One advantage of shopping at IKEA is that the process can begin before a single item is purchased.

Showrooms display complete rooms while online planning tools allow buyers to measure spaces, compare layouts and develop a shopping list.

This approach reduces the risk of buying furniture that does not suit the room or work well with other pieces.

Living room

The living room typically represents one of the largest expenses.

A typical package might include:

• Sofa
• Coffee table
• Television unit
• Bookshelves or storage
• Rug
• Lamps
• Curtains
• Decorative cushions and artwork

By choosing products from the same design family, the room develops a coordinated appearance without requiring professional design advice.

Dining area

A dining package generally includes:

• Dining table
• Four to eight dining chairs
• Sideboard or buffet
• Lighting
• Table accessories

Expandable tables can also provide flexibility for households that entertain guests.

Bedrooms

Three bedrooms might include:

• Bed frames
• Mattresses
• Bedside tables
• Wardrobes or storage systems
• Chest of drawers
• Desk for a study or children's room
• Lamps and soft furnishings

Storage is often integrated into the furniture, helping maximise available space.

Kitchen and laundry

Although major appliances are often supplied separately, IKEA offers many of the finishing touches that make a house functional.

These include:

• Kitchen storage
• Cookware
• Crockery and cutlery
• Glassware
• Food containers
• Laundry baskets
• Drying racks
• Organisation systems

Many buyers appreciate being able to purchase these items during the same visit.

Bathroom

Bathrooms can be completed with coordinated accessories including:

• Mirrors
• Shelving
• Vanity storage
• Towels
• Bath mats
• Toilet accessories

Small additions such as these help create a finished appearance throughout the home.

Outdoor living

Where space permits, outdoor furniture, lighting and planters can extend the coordinated design into patios, balconies and gardens.

For many Australians, outdoor entertaining is an important part of family life.

What might it cost?

The final figure depends entirely on the products selected.

A carefully planned IKEA fit-out can often cost significantly less than purchasing similar items individually from multiple retailers, particularly when furnishing an entire home at once.

At the premium end, buyers can select higher-quality ranges and customised storage solutions.

At the budget end, a practical and attractive home can still be achieved by focusing on essential furniture first and adding decorative items over time.

Beyond the furniture

Perhaps IKEA's greatest contribution is confidence.

Instead of wondering whether different pieces will suit one another, customers are presented with complete room concepts that can be adapted to their own homes.

For first-home buyers, renters and investors furnishing a property for the first time, this can simplify what might otherwise be an overwhelming task.

The Times View

Furnishing an entire home can seem daunting, particularly when starting with empty rooms and an unlimited number of choices.

IKEA has succeeded by offering more than furniture. It provides a complete design system that allows households to build room by room, knowing the finished home will feel consistent, practical and welcoming.

The lesson extends beyond one retailer. Good interior design is often less about buying the most expensive furniture and more about choosing pieces that work together. For many Australians, that may be the most valuable product IKEA sells.