Furnishing your new home or apartment in Portugal is part of the relocation adventure—especially if you’re starting from scratch. Whether you’re seeking custom craftsmanship, affordable basics, or everything in between, Portugal offers a wide range of options to suit your style and budget.
Here’s where to look, what to expect, and how to make the most of your furnishing journey.
Paços de Ferreira: Portugal’s Capital of Furniture
If you’re serious about quality and value, make time for a trip to Paços de Ferreira in northern Portugal. Known as the “Capital do Móvel” (Capital of Furniture), this thriving city near Porto is home to dozens of family-run factories and showrooms. It’s the heart of Portugal’s furniture industry and a top destination for custom or semi-custom pieces made with care and durability.
Here, you’ll find everything from contemporary dining sets to solid wood beds and armoires. Many vendors speak English and offer delivery throughout the country. For those with a bit of time and flexibility, Paços de Ferreira delivers exceptional craftsmanship—often at prices well below similar quality in the U.S. or Canada. And, they make to order, too. And, look for local workshops around the country too - where you can order excellent custom pieces.
IKEA Portugal: Convenience and Modern Style
For convenience, speed, and Scandinavian design, IKEA is the go-to choice for many expats. With locations in Lisbon, Braga, Algarve and Matosinhos, IKEA offers affordable furniture, kitchen setups, and all the household extras—from bedsheets to bookshelves.
They also provide delivery and assembly services (including through TaskRabbit), and their Portuguese website (www.ikea.com/pt) makes ordering simple. Some IKEA furniture may not be built for Portugal’s humid climate, so double-check materials for longevity—but for basic needs, it’s a reliable one-stop shop.
Did you know: IKEA operates a major factory in Paços de Ferreira, where many of their products sold across Europe are made.
Feira dos Sofás: Affordable Sofas and Beds Across Portugal
With 40+ locations nationwide, Feira dos Sofás is a popular Portuguese chain offering sofas, beds, mattresses, and dining furniture at mid-range prices. Their showrooms feature both traditional and modern designs, and their selection of upholstered furniture is especially strong. Most stores provide home delivery and offer seasonal promotions and financing options. For many newcomers, Feira dos Sofás is a reliable option to furnish a new space quickly without breaking the bank. You can browse collections and locate stores at www.feiradossofas.pt.
Continente: Unexpected Deals and Fast Solutions
While known as a supermarket chain, Continente also offers a surprisingly broad selection of furniture and home goods—especially online at www.continente.pt. You can find beds, shelving, small tables, mattresses and patio sets, often at competitive prices. While the quality can vary (as with any discount chain), Continente is a great option for fast, affordable solutions—especially for renters, students, or those furnishing temporary homes.
Their online store allows for easy browsing and direct delivery to most areas of the country, making it a good choice for basics and everyday items.
Mattresses in Portugal: High Quality, Locally Made
One of the pleasant surprises for many newcomers is that Portuguese-made mattresses are both excellent and affordable. Brands like Colmol, Lusocolhão, Molaflex, and Mindol produce high-quality memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses, often at a fraction of the price of similar international models.
Mattresses are available at major chains, local specialty shops, and independent retailers throughout the country.
It’s worth noting that Portuguese mattress sizes differ slightly from U.S. and Canadian standards, so if you’re bringing linens or a bed frame with you, check dimensions carefully:
Single (Solteiro): 90 x 190 cm
Double (Casal): 135 x 190 cm
Queen (Queen/Casal XL): 150 x 200 cm
King (King): 180 x 200 cm
Bedding and mattress sizes can vary slightly by brand, so it’s always wise to purchase both together or verify measurements when replacing one or the other.
One of Portugal’s best-kept secrets is its network of local furniture makers—particularly in the north—who can build custom pieces for a fraction of the cost you'd pay in North America. In towns like Paços de Ferreira and Lordelo, small family-run ateliers produce everything from solid wood dining tables to fully upholstered headboards, often handcrafted and built to last. Unlike mass-market imports, these pieces can be tailored to your dimensions, style preferences, and materials, including native Portuguese woods like pine and oak. Many workshops work directly with customers or through regional showrooms, and delivery across the country is often included. For those willing to venture slightly off the beaten path, working with a local craftsman can mean better quality, full customization, and significant savings—all while supporting Portugal’s rich tradition of skilled woodworking.