Furnishing a Home in Hungary: How I Ended Up at IKEA

Furnishing a home in Hungary sounds like a dream—until you realise the dream often arrives flat-packed with hex keys. After completing our countryside renovation near Lake Balaton, I had grand plans. The living room was ready. We’d restored the walls, added smart lighting, and created the kind of space that felt like a warm invitation. But when it came time to furnish it? That’s when the real challenge began.

This was supposed to be my local shopping moment. I wanted Hungarian-made pieces, unique finds, a curated vibe. I told myself: “No shortcuts. No imports. No IKEA.”

Fast-forward to me, sipping tea in pyjamas, clicking “add to cart” on a FÄRLÖV sofa from IKEA Hungary’s website. Again.

My IKEA Origin Story

Let me take you back. I was 19 the first time I entered an IKEA. It was a full sensory experience: the cinnamon bun smell, the curated showrooms, the thrilling idea that I could furnish my entire flat with one trolley and a half-baked plan. I left that day with a bookshelf, a frying pan, and a new identity: independent adult.

At 30, when I moved into my first condo, I swore I was done. I had outgrown Allen keys and wobbly side tables. I proudly sourced furniture elsewhere, basking in the freedom of not needing IKEA. That was going to be a turning point.

And yet, here we are again. Different country, different life, same predictable detour through the land of meatballs and Malms.

Why Local Shopping Didn’t Work This Time

Don’t get me wrong—Hungary has amazing craftsmen. I’ve bought curtains sewn in Tapolca, and found vintage treasures in Veszprém.

But furnishing a whole room? That’s a different story. When you’re furnishing a home in Hungary, especially in a countryside location, you face three common issues:

1. Scale – Most imported furniture is too large for traditional Hungarian homes. Local options often skew the other way.
2. Availability – That gorgeous sofa you saw in a boutique showroom? Six-month wait. And that’s if they answer your email.
3. Delivery – “We can deliver sometime next month. Maybe. If Józsi is back from fishing.”

After several unsuccessful trips and one disappointing furniture fair, Andrew and I sat down, looked at each other, and admitted what we both knew. We needed IKEA.

The Comeback: IKEA Hungary, But Make It Online

This time, I didn’t brave the Budaörs store. I took the smarter route: IKEA Hungary’s website. It’s surprisingly functional. You can browse, check measurements, see what’s in stock, and have it delivered to your door—even in rural areas.

We chose pieces that worked with our layout, didn’t overpower the space, and could survive both guests and dogs. The process was, dare I say it, seamless.

IKEA’s delivery service in Hungary is efficient, affordable, and didn’t involve any mysterious pickup points. And yes, everything arrived on time.

So What Did We Buy?

The living room now features a carefully curated (read: panic-clicked at 11pm) blend of IKEA basics and a few surprisingly stylish standouts:

• Several pieces from the PLATSA system, which we love for its modular flexibility and actual storage space that doesn’t feel like a plastic bin in disguise.

• A NISSEDAL mirror, which somehow makes the room feel twice as big and distracts from the electrical socket installed high up the wall.

• The classic LAGKAPTEN table top paired with underframe drawers — our unofficial “command centre” for puzzle nights.

• A simple VIHALS table that fits the space beautifully, works as a desk or casual dining area, and, crucially, doesn’t wobble.

• Plus a few impulse extras: linen cushion covers, LED bulbs, and drawer organisers we now can’t imagine living without.

Nothing fancy. But it all fits. It all works. And it all arrived on time  – which, if you’ve ever tried coordinating rural deliveries in Hungary, feels like winning the logistics lottery.

IKEA as Expat Equaliser

One unexpected bonus of furnishing a home in Hungary this way? Familiarity. When so much about life here involves learning systems, translating instructions, and adapting to new norms, IKEA is a little slice of consistency. The same blue bags. The same flat-pack logic. Even the same clunky drawer runners.

If you’re a foreigner here, there’s a kind of weird comfort in that. I knew what I was getting, and that was a relief.

My Advice? Embrace the Hybrid Life

If you’re embarking on furnishing your Hungarian home, here’s what I’d recommend:

• Start local: You’ll find wonderful makers and shops, especially for one-off pieces.

• Check measurements: Traditional homes = unusual layouts. IKEA lists precise sizes, which is useful.

• Don’t wait too long: If you’re expecting guests next month, that artisanal sofa with a 90-day lead time may not be realistic.

• Don’t feel guilty: Choosing IKEA isn’t a sellout. It’s just smart.

And yes, IKEA delivers across Hungary. So you can shop from the comfort of your winehouse, farmhouse, or Pest flat.

Resource Roundup

If you’re still navigating the process of furnishing a home in Hungary, my ebook HOW TO HUNGARY: Budapest and Beyond has over 100 verified shopping links—including furniture makers, appliance stores, and yes, IKEA workarounds.

🔗 Download it here if you want to skip the search and get straight to the goods.