Just Moved to Luxembourg? Here's How to Furnish Your Life Without Breaking the Bank
Just Moved to Luxembourg? Here's How to Furnish Your Life Without Breaking the Bank
Reading time: 7 minutes
You've just landed in Luxembourg. The contract is signed, the kids are enrolled in school, and you're standing in an empty apartment wondering how you're going to turn it into a home before the boxes from your old country arrive (if they're even coming).
Take a breath. You're not the first person to do this, and Luxembourg is actually one of the best places in Europe to set up quickly and affordably — if you know where to look.
This guide is for every family that's just arrived and needs the essentials without the retail markup.
Why Buying Second-Hand Makes So Much Sense Here
Luxembourg has something unusual going for it: a constant flow of people arriving and leaving. Expats on 2–3 year contracts furnish entire apartments, live in them briefly, and then need to sell everything when they relocate. The result is a steady supply of high-quality, barely-used items at a fraction of retail prices.
We're not talking about worn-out hand-me-downs. It's common to find a €1,200 sofa for €300, a nearly-new Thermomix for half price, or a complete children's bedroom set — bed, desk, wardrobe — for what you'd pay for just the bed at retail.
The math is simple: a family moving into a 2-bedroom apartment in Luxembourg City might spend €8,000–12,000 furnishing it new from IKEA and Conforama. Buying smart on the second-hand market, you can achieve the same result for €2,000–4,000, often with better quality items.
What You'll Need First (and Where to Find It)
When you're starting from zero, it helps to prioritise. Here's a practical order of operations for your first weeks.
Week 1: The Survival Essentials
Beds and mattresses are your first priority. Children especially need good sleep to adjust to a new country, new school, and new routines. Look for complete bed sets — many sellers include the frame, mattress, and bedding together. IKEA bed frames (MALM, HEMNES) are everywhere on the second-hand market because they're popular, sturdy, and easy to disassemble for transport.
A table and chairs to eat meals and do homework. Doesn't need to be fancy — a simple dining set for €50–80 is common on Olux. You can upgrade later once you're settled.
Basic kitchen equipment: A couple of pots, a pan, plates, cutlery, and glasses. Many departing families sell their entire kitchen kit as a bundle. One purchase can sort you out completely.
A washing machine if your apartment doesn't include one. Check with your landlord first — many Luxembourg rentals come equipped. If not, second-hand machines from brands like Bosch or Miele are widely available and often have years of life left.
Weeks 2–4: Making It Home
Sofas and living room furniture. Take your time here. Measure your space carefully (Luxembourg apartments can be surprisingly compact, especially in the city centre) and check that the sofa can physically fit through your stairwell or elevator. This is the number one issue with furniture purchases in Luxembourg — a beautiful sofa that won't fit through a 70cm-wide door.
Children's items are where the second-hand market really shines. Strollers, car seats (check the expiry date), high chairs, toys, books, and school supplies are always available. Quality brands like Bugaboo, Cybex, Maxi-Cosi, and BabyBjörn hold up well and retain value, so even second-hand they're reliable.
Storage and organisation: Bookshelves, wardrobes, shoe racks. The IKEA KALLAX shelf might be the single most re-sold piece of furniture in Luxembourg. You'll find dozens available at any given time.
Winter gear if you're arriving between September and April. Luxembourg winters are grey, wet, and cold. Good jackets, boots, and warm layers for the whole family are essential. Quality second-hand outdoor clothing is one of the best value purchases you can make.
Month 2 and Beyond: The Nice-to-Haves
Once the basics are covered, you can take your time finding the right desk for your home office, artwork for the walls, a better coffee machine, outdoor furniture if you have a terrace, or bicycles for the family (Luxembourg has excellent cycling infrastructure, especially on weekends).
Where to Buy: Your Options Compared
Here's a quick overview of where to find what you need.
Online Marketplaces
Olux is your best starting point for local second-hand purchases. Everything listed is in Luxembourg, so you can browse by location and often pick up the same day. No shipping fees, no waiting — just message the seller, agree on a time, and go. The platform supports multiple languages, which is a lifesaver when you're still figuring out whether to write in French, English, or Portuguese.
Facebook groups are another option. Search for "Buy & Sell Luxembourg," "Expats in Luxembourg — Marketplace," and community-specific groups in your language. These can be great for finding items quickly, but listings are unstructured and hard to search. Think of them as a complement to Olux, not a replacement.
Physical Stores (New and Second-Hand)
IKEA (Arlon, Belgium) is just across the border, about 20 minutes from Luxembourg City. It's where many families go for affordable basics. Note that delivery fees can be steep — borrowing or renting a van is often cheaper.
Conforama and BUT in nearby French or Belgian border towns offer budget furniture and appliances.
Brocki.lu is Luxembourg's largest second-hand shop chain, with locations around the country. Great for browsing if you prefer seeing items in person before buying.
Action, HEMA, and Tedi for inexpensive household basics like cleaning supplies, towels, kitchen utensils, and storage containers. Multiple locations across Luxembourg.
Don't Overlook
Neighbourhood WhatsApp groups and building notice boards. Many apartment buildings in Luxembourg have active community channels where residents post items for sale before listing them publicly. Ask your neighbours or building management if one exists.
Company relocation groups. If you or your partner work for a large employer (EU institutions, Big Four firms, banks), there are often internal mailing lists or intranet boards where departing colleagues sell their belongings. These tend to be excellent quality at fair prices.
Charity shops and donation centres like the Croix-Rouge boutiques offer clothing, books, and household items at very low prices. Worth a visit, especially for children's clothing.
Practical Tips for Buying Smart
A few things Luxembourg newcomers learn the hard way — so you don't have to.
Measure everything twice. Your apartment, your doorways, your elevator, and the item itself. Luxembourg has a mix of older buildings with narrow staircases and modern ones with freight elevators. Know what you're working with before you commit to that corner sofa.
Bring cash for pickups. While Payconiq (Luxembourg's mobile payment app) is increasingly popular, many second-hand sellers prefer cash. ATMs are everywhere — Bancomat machines accept all major cards.
Set up Payconiq early. It's Luxembourg's Venmo equivalent, linked to your local bank account. Once you have a Luxembourg bank account (which you'll need anyway for rent and utilities), Payconiq makes payments to sellers instant and hassle-free.
Don't rush the big purchases. It's tempting to buy the first sofa you see because you're sleeping on an air mattress. But new listings appear daily on Olux, and waiting a week often means finding something better, closer, or cheaper. Buy the essentials immediately, but give yourself time for the bigger items.
Ask sellers about delivery. Some sellers are happy to drop off larger items if you're nearby, especially if it saves them the trouble of waiting for pickup. It never hurts to ask, and offering a small extra amount for delivery can be worth the convenience.
Check electrical compatibility. Luxembourg uses Type F (Schuko) plugs at 230V. If you're coming from the UK, you'll need adapters. If you're coming from outside Europe, check that your electronics support 220–240V before plugging them in. Most modern devices (laptops, phone chargers) are dual voltage, but older appliances may not be.
Making Connections Along the Way
Here's something nobody tells you about buying second-hand in a small country: it's one of the fastest ways to meet people. The seller who delivers that bookshelf might mention a great school nearby. The parent selling baby clothes might invite you to a playgroup. Luxembourg is small enough that these connections matter, and the second-hand community is full of people who've been exactly where you are now.
Don't be afraid to ask questions beyond the transaction. "We just arrived — any tips for the area?" will get you more useful local knowledge than any guidebook.
Your First-Week Shopping List
Here's a condensed version of what most arriving families search for. Use it as a starting point when browsing Olux:
- Beds + mattresses (adult and children's)
- Dining table + chairs
- Kitchen starter set (pots, pans, plates, cutlery)
- Washing machine (if not included in rental)
- Sofa or seating
- Wardrobe/storage
- Children's gear (stroller, car seat, high chair)
- Winter jackets and boots (if arriving Sept–April)
- Desk + chair (for home office or schoolwork)
- Bicycle(s)
Welcome to Luxembourg
Moving to a new country is overwhelming, and furnishing a home from scratch doesn't make it easier. But Luxembourg's active second-hand market means you don't have to choose between quality and affordability. With a bit of patience and the right platform, you can have a fully functional, comfortable home within weeks — and keep thousands of euros in your pocket for actually enjoying your new life here.
Welcome. You're going to like it.
Olux is Luxembourg's local marketplace. Browse thousands of listings from your neighbours, message sellers directly, and pick up the same day. Explore what's available near you →