Furnishing a flat abroad

dwsjarcmcd

We are currently in the process of buying an apartment in the South of France, and our thoughts are turning to how we will furnish it. There are obviously several options, one of which is to buy a furniture pack, which effectively is hassle free. There are disadvantages (bit more expensive, don't really get to see the stuff etc) but would be interested to know from anyone
- Done this, if so what were their experiences?
- Who did you use? (there are loads of companies in Spain, Portugal but far less for South of France, when you google)
- Views on the various other options - shipping from the UK, getting there and buying yourself, hire a shopper etc

Thanks, David

Doozergirl

My parents in law have furnished their flat themselves with trips to Ikea in Portugal and bizarrely, ramming suitcases full of English Ikea stuff and taking it with them.

How they even manage to carry it, I don't know. Every time they go, the MIL asks me what the baggage restrictions are!

seven-day-weekend

We brought a load of flat-pack stuff from IKEA in Wenesbury in our people carrier (with all but the two front seats out) and a trailer. It took two journeys. The only mahor item we bought in Spain was a double bed/mattress. (Mainly because we can't stand Spanish furniture and it is expensive).

However, if there is an IKEA near you in France, things would be considerably easier.

We bought white goods locally in Spain.

We have done the same as Dozergirl's PIL - we have taken suitcases full of power tools, toasters, cutlery, - we have also taken a portable TV as hand luggage! (only to find it didn't work once we got it to Spain!). I have taken a duvet as hand luggage too (they are few and far between in rural Spain - they are still into bedspreads!).

My husband took his telescope in its box as hand luggage once, and on the x-ray machine the remote control and its curly wire looked like a detonator for a bomb! Luckily, once unpacked the telescope inside the box looked just the same as the picture on the outside of the box. Phew!

Have fun!

dwsjarcmcd

I guess the 1 thing I am trying to avoid is buying it here and delivering it myself, my cars too small, but I guess we could look at taking small items on the plan, as you suggest

seven-day-weekend

Here in Spain, the furniture shops will deliver to you. I don't know if it costs anything.

pinkshoes

You can easily hire a van in france then go to the nearest Ikea. Also, there's shops like Casa which will do funky house hold items at reasonable prices.

If you speak good french, then ask around the locals to find out where they have fleamarkets etc... where you can get some amazing stuff. If you make a good effort to speak french, they'll be very helpful, and speak nice and slowly for you. If you don't speak french, they'll be uncooporative!! (i speak from experience here!!).