How Much Does It Cost to Furnish a Home in Antigua Guatemala?

Furnishing a home in Antigua Guatemala costs between $3,000 and $6,000 for a basic two-bedroom setup, $8,000 to $15,000 for a comfortable mid-range home, and $20,000 to $40,000 or more if you want custom colonial-style pieces and imported furniture. A three-bedroom colonial home typically lands in the $10,000 to $18,000 range when furnished from scratch with a mix of local and custom pieces.

If you have just bought a property here — or are about to — one of the first questions is how much it takes to make the house feel like home. The good news is that Antigua has a deep pool of local craftsmen, competitive furniture markets, and prices well below what you would pay in North America or Europe. Here is what it actually costs, room by room, plus where to buy and how to save.

Furnishing Cost by Budget Level

The numbers below reflect typical prices in Antigua Guatemala as of September 2026, based on a two- to three-bedroom home.

Budget level	What you get	Total cost (USD)
Starter	Local ready-made furniture, basic appliances, IKEA-style imports	$3,000 – $6,000
Mid-range	Solid wood local furniture, quality appliances, custom closets	$8,000 – $15,000
Premium	Custom colonial pieces, imported brands, designer textiles	$20,000 – $40,000+

A starter budget gets a home functional and livable. A mid-range budget gets a home comfortable and stylish. A premium budget gets a fully custom, magazine-ready colonial interior.

Room-by-Room Cost Breakdown

These are the items most buyers purchase when furnishing from empty. Prices are for mid-range quality.

Room	Typical items	Cost (USD)
Living room	Sofa, coffee table, TV unit, rug	$1,200 – $3,000
Dining room	Table, 6 chairs, sideboard	$700 – $2,000
Primary bedroom	Queen bed, mattress, nightstands, wardrobe	$900 – $2,500
Second bedroom	Bed, mattress, dresser	$500 – $1,400
Kitchen	Refrigerator, stove, microwave, small appliances	$1,000 – $2,500
Laundry	Washer, dryer	$600 – $1,400
Outdoor/courtyard	Patio set, plants, lighting, fountain accents	$400 – $1,500

A full mid-range furnish of a two-bedroom home lands around $8,000 to $12,000. Add custom built-in closets and a furnished courtyard and you move toward the $15,000 mark.

Where to Buy Furniture in Antigua Guatemala

Local Furniture Stores

Antigua and nearby Jocotenango have several furniture stores selling solid wood and colonial-style pieces. Prices are reasonable, and delivery is usually included within the Antigua area. This is the fastest way to furnish a home — most stores carry stock and can deliver within a week.

Custom Work from Local Carpenters

Antigua has skilled carpinterías (carpentry workshops) that build custom beds, tables, wardrobes, and doors. Custom work typically costs 30% to 50% less than imported equivalents and lets you match the style of your home. A custom solid-wood wardrobe runs $400 to $900; a custom dining table $300 to $700. Lead times are two to six weeks. This is the single biggest way to save money while getting better quality than flat-pack imports.

Guatemala City Stores

For appliances and modern furniture, most people make the 45-minute trip to Guatemala City. Stores like Cemaco, EPA, Novex, and the big-box chains offer wide selection and delivery to Antigua. Buying appliances in the city is often cheaper than in Antigua itself.

Importing and Shipping

You can ship furniture from the US, but a 20-foot container typically costs $3,000 to $6,000 plus customs clearance — which only makes sense if you are moving a full household. If you hold Guatemalan residency, the one-time menaje de casa exemption allows you to import your household goods duty-free. Read our guide on importing household goods into Guatemala for the full process.

Furnishing a Colonial Home: What Matters

Colonial homes in Antigua have thick walls, high ceilings, and interior courtyards — features that change how you furnish them.

Scale matters. High ceilings and large rooms swallow small furniture. Choose larger pieces than you would in a modern apartment.
Wood and natural materials work best. Solid wood, wrought iron, and natural textiles suit colonial architecture far better than sleek modern pieces.
The courtyard is a room. Most colonial homes have an interior courtyard that deserves a seating area, plants, and lighting. Budget $400 to $1,500 for this space — it is where you will spend the most time.
Custom doors and windows. If your home needs them, having them made locally is far cheaper than importing and ensures they match the heritage style required in Antigua’s protected zone.

If you are still choosing a property, our guide to colonial homes in Antigua Guatemala covers what to look for before you buy.

Practical Tips to Furnish on a Budget

Buy the essentials first, style later. Beds, appliances, and a sofa come first. Decorative pieces can accumulate over months.
Use local markets for textiles. The artisan markets sell rugs, cushions, and throws at a fraction of retail prices, and they add instant character.
Commission custom pieces. For beds, tables, and wardrobes, a local carpenter beats retail on both price and quality.
Buy appliances in Guatemala City. Wider selection and lower prices than Antigua’s limited retail.
Consider partially furnished rentals first. If you are still deciding where to live, long-term rentals let you settle in before committing to a permanent furnishing budget.

How Long Does It Take to Furnish a Home?

A functional home can be furnished in one to two weeks if you buy from local stock. A fully custom home — with made-to-order furniture and imported appliances — takes one to three months. Plan for a phased approach: essentials first, custom pieces as they are completed.

Planning Your Move to Antigua?

Whether you are buying a colonial home, a condo, or a rental investment, our team helps foreign buyers find the right property and settle in smoothly. Browse our current property listings, explore our services for buyers and owners, or contact us to talk through your plans. For a complete pre-move checklist, see our relocation guide.