Furnishing a new Prague flat: where to buy, what to check, what to skip

You get the keys on a Friday. The flat has a fitted kitchen, a bathroom, a radiator under every window and, in the living room, a single bulb hanging from a cable. Nobody told you that lamps are not included. Welcome to Prague.

Furnishing a flat here is mostly an exercise in sequencing. Some things you need on day one (a bed, a kettle, light). Some can wait a month. And a few are already yours, if you read the inventory properly.

Start with the inventory, not the shop

Whether you rent or buy, find out exactly what stays. In Czech listings, vybaveno means furnished and nevybaveno unfurnished, but there is a wide middle ground that listings call částečně vybaveno (partly furnished). A partly furnished flat might include the kitchen units and hob but not the fridge. If you are renting, the handover protocol (předávací protokol) should list every item and its condition. Photograph all of it on the day.

Walk through with a tape measure. Czech flats, especially in older tenement buildings, have high ceilings but narrow stairwells and small lifts, and a wardrobe that fits the room may not fit the door. Measure the lift and the turn on the staircase before you order anything large.

For renters, a quick word on who owns what: anything the landlord provided stays theirs, and anything you buy leaves with you. If you are weighing renting against buying, the buy or rent calculator on Hypoteky.com lets you model the long-run costs, and unfurnished listings are one of the things that nudges the maths, since a furnished flat is usually let on different terms. You can browse rental listings on Novostavby.com (in Czech) to see how listings describe what is included.

New: where to buy

For basics, the big furniture chains with flat-pack ranges are the usual route, and IKEA has stores on the edge of Prague that offer home delivery and assembly services. Check the current delivery options on the store's own site, since terms change. Czech furniture shops sell sofas, beds and kitchens, and are worth a visit for mattresses, which you want to lie on before you buy.

For appliances, electronics retailers such as Alza and Datart are well known and sell online as well as in branches. They carry washing machines, fridges, hobs and small appliances, and they usually list the energy rating. Under EU rules appliances carry an energy label graded from A to G, which helps when you are choosing between two similar machines. A more efficient model costs more up front and less to run, so compare with your utility bills in mind. Our guide to utility bills in a Prague flat explains what to expect.

Second hand: the sensible Prague habit

Second-hand furniture is a normal, unembarrassed part of life here. Czech classified sites such as Bazoš and Sbazar, the auction site Aukro and Facebook groups all list wardrobes, desks and complete kitchens. Prices are negotiated, so offer less and be ready to collect.

Be clear about what you are buying. Between private individuals there is no consumer warranty, so test the appliance before you pay. Plug in the washing machine, run a short cycle, open the door seal, and look for rust or mould at the back. Agree the collection time and who carries what, and bring a friend or hire a van with a driver for anything large.

Second-hand shops (bazar) are in between. Many are happy to deliver, and a short written receipt is worth asking for.

Delivery, assembly and the old appliance

Large items arrive with a delivery window, and in an old building the carriers will tell you the lift is too small only when they are at the door. Ask for a carry-up to your floor (donáška až do bytu) in writing and confirm whether assembly is extra.

When you buy a new appliance, the seller is obliged to take the old equivalent back for recycling, so mention it when you order. If you handle disposal yourself, Prague has municipal recycling yards (sběrné dvory) where residents can leave bulky items. Some districts also put out large containers on set dates. The city's information pages list both.

Mistakes people make

Buying a sofa before measuring the stairs is the classic. Buying a full set of kitchen gadgets before you know the oven size is the second. A third is skipping the lamps: many Czech flats, especially rentals, arrive with bare sockets and no ceiling fixtures at all.

Watch the voltage and plugs. The country uses 230 V and the standard two-pin plug, so appliances from the UK need adapters and appliances from North America may not work at all. Our plugs and sockets guide explains it.

One more habit pays off: keep receipts and the warranty paperwork in one folder. If a delivered item is damaged, photograph it before signing for it.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Czech flat usually come with a fridge and washing machine?

It varies. A fitted kitchen often includes the hob and sometimes the fridge, but a washing machine is frequently not included. Check the listing and handover protocol.

Can I return furniture I bought online?

Consumers can generally withdraw from a distance purchase within 14 days. Made-to-order items are an exception, so check before you order.

What do I do with my old appliance?

When you buy a new one, the seller must take the old one back. Otherwise use a municipal recycling yard.

Is second-hand furniture safe to buy?

Mostly, if you inspect it. Test appliances before paying, and check upholstery and mattresses for damp and smell.

Start with a tape measure and a list of what the flat actually includes. The rest follows.