- Core cost: a mid-range queen bed frame runs about ¥1,500 – ¥3,500.
- Delivery: IKEA van delivery starts at ¥69 for Nanjing orders under 50 kg.
- Pro tip: use Xianyu (闲鱼) to buy whole-house second-hand furniture from departing expats at just 20–30% of original price.
Step one: the right order to furnish
- Measure the entryways. Before buying anything, measure the building lift and your front door. Nanjing corridors are often narrower than Western standard, and a large American-style sofa may simply not fit.
- Test for formaldehyde. If you move into a newly renovated flat, book a professional test immediately. A standard two-bedroom test usually costs ¥300 – ¥600.
- Install the local service apps. Get Xianyu (闲鱼) for second-hand furniture and Wanshifu (万师傅), the standard local app for booking a technician to assemble furniture or repair appliances.
- Check government subsidies. If you are replacing old appliances, look at the "trade-in" green subsidies on the Suning (苏宁) or JD.com (京东) apps — these typically give 10–15% off new high-efficiency models.
Where expats buy furniture in Nanjing
Nanjing offers a mix of international chains and large domestic furniture malls.
- IKEA Nanjing (卡子门店) — No. 100 Mingshi Road, Qinhuai District. The most English-friendly option. The store remains open, and IKEA also opened an official flagship store on JD.com in 2025 for integrated logistics.
- Costco (开市客) — expanding across east China; check costco.com.cn for the current Nanjing location. Annual membership is ¥299.
- Red Star Macalline (红星美凯龙) — No. 699 Pukou Avenue, Jiangbei New Area. A large mall focused on premium domestic and imported furniture.
- Jinsheng International Home (金盛国际家居) — No. 2 Jiangdong Middle Road. Another large-scale furniture and building-materials hub.
Where to buy appliances
The local appliance market is dominated by a few giants, and the power standard is strictly 220V, 50Hz. You need appliances with a Chinese three-pin plug (similar to Type I) or a two-pin flat plug (compatible with Type A). European round-pin plugs (Type C) will not fit Chinese sockets directly.
- Suning.com Plaza (苏宁易购广场) — Suning is Nanjing’s dominant physical electronics retailer, with a smart-retail flagship experience centre in the Xinjiekou shopping district.
- JD.com (京东) and Taobao (淘宝) — still the first choice for large appliances. Standard parcel delivery starts at ¥9.9; bulky van delivery starts at ¥69 – ¥119 depending on weight.
Bringing imported appliances: voltage converters
If you bring 110V appliances from North America or Japan, never plug them straight into a Nanjing 220V socket. You need a high-power step-down transformer (变压器). When buying one on JD.com or Taobao, make sure its maximum rating comfortably exceeds the appliance’s draw — especially for high-power items such as stand mixers or hair tools.
What does furniture cost in Nanjing?
Prices vary hugely depending on whether you buy second-hand on Xianyu, mid-range from IKEA or Suning, or premium from Red Star Macalline.
| Item | Budget / second-hand (¥) | Mid-range (¥) | High-end (¥) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofa (3-seater) | 600 – 1,200 | 2,500 – 6,000 | 12,000+ |
| Bed frame (queen) | 400 – 800 | 1,500 – 3,500 | 8,000+ |
| Refrigerator | 800 (small) | 2,200 – 4,500 | 10,000+ |
| Washing machine | 700 (top-loader) | 1,800 – 3,500 | 6,000+ |
| Dining set (4 chairs) | 300 – 600 | 1,000 – 2,500 | 5,000+ |
Nanjing vs. Shanghai: setup costs
| Metric | Nanjing | Shanghai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living | Index 47.7 | Index 55.9 | Nanjing ~17–30% cheaper |
| Rent (furnished 1-bedroom) | ¥3,500 – ¥5,500 | ¥7,500 – ¥12,000 | Nanjing ~50% lower |
| Assembly / labour | ¥50 – ¥80 / hour | ¥80 – ¥120 / hour | Nanjing ~35% lower |
Common mistakes
- Falling into the formaldehyde trap. New furniture in China often carries higher formaldehyde levels. Avoid "串串房" (Chuan Chuan) — flats refurbished cheaply and quickly with toxic materials purely for fast letting. Prefer second-hand furniture, or insist on an air-quality test.
- Assuming shops have English service. Apart from IKEA, no local furniture mall or appliance store guarantees English-speaking staff. Have a translation app ready to negotiate prices or confirm delivery details.
- Overpaying for simple assembly. Do not wrestle with complex flat-pack furniture alone. Via the 万师傅 (Wanshifu) app, local technicians charge only ¥50 – ¥150 per item.
- Ignoring overweight delivery fees. Online shopping is cheap, but large furniture delivery is charged by weight — always verify the final bulky-logistics fee at checkout.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to buy furniture in Foshan and ship it to Nanjing? No. That strategy only saves money on a full luxury renovation. For an ordinary apartment, long-haul freight costs wipe out any price difference.
Where can I find English-speaking furniture stores in Nanjing? IKEA (卡子门店) is the only large retailer where newcomers can communicate smoothly. For local malls such as Jinsheng International Home or Red Star Macalline you will rely heavily on translation apps.
Can I use my US 110V appliances in Nanjing? No. China uses 220V, 50Hz, and plugging a 110V appliance directly into a Chinese socket will burn it out. You must use a high-power step-down transformer for any imported 110V electronics.
How long does formaldehyde off-gas from a new flat? Depending on the materials, months or even years — which is why a professional air-quality test is strongly recommended before moving into a newly renovated home.
What is usually included in a furnished Nanjing rental? Most furnished rentals include the major appliances (fridge, washing machine, air-conditioning) plus a bed frame, sofa and dining set. Always specify the exact inventory in writing before signing.
Essential contacts
- IKEA Nanjing (卡子门店): 400-800-2345 · ikea.cn
- Costco (开市客): costco.com.cn
- Suning (苏宁): 4008-365-365 · suning.com
- Repair & assembly app: 万师傅 (Wanshifu) · wanshifu.com
- Second-hand app: 闲鱼 (Xianyu) · xianyu.com
- Inspiration & contractors: 小红书 (Xiaohongshu) · xiaohongshu.com
- Formaldehyde testing: search "南京CMA甲醛检测" on JD.com or Taobao to book a locally certified service