Nanjing

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Furnishing and Appliances

Sections

1. Furniture

Types of Furniture

  • Basic Furniture: Beds, sofas, tables, chairs, wardrobes, and shelves.
  • Custom Furniture: Many stores and workshops in Nanjing offer custom-made furniture to fit your space and style preferences.
  • Traditional Chinese Furniture: If youโ€™re interested in incorporating local culture, you can find traditional Chinese wooden furniture made from materials like rosewood or elm.

Where to Buy

  1. IKEA (ๅฎœๅฎถๅฎถๅฑ…)

    • Location: IKEA Nanjing is located in the Xianlin area (Qixia District).
    • What to Expect: A wide range of affordable, modern furniture and home essentials. IKEA is popular among expats for its international style and self-service model.
    • Price Range:
      • Sofas: ยฅ1,000โ€“ยฅ5,000
      • Beds: ยฅ800โ€“ยฅ3,000
      • Dining tables: ยฅ500โ€“ยฅ2,000
    • Delivery: IKEA offers delivery and assembly services for an additional fee (usually ยฅ100โ€“ยฅ300 depending on the distance and size of the order).

  2. Red Star Macalline (็บขๆ˜Ÿ็พŽๅ‡ฏ้พ™)

    • Location: Multiple branches across Nanjing, including in Jiangning and Gulou districts.
    • What to Expect: A large shopping mall specializing in mid-range to high-end furniture and home dรฉcor. Youโ€™ll find both Chinese and international brands.
    • Price Range:
      • Sofas: ยฅ3,000โ€“ยฅ20,000
      • Beds: ยฅ2,000โ€“ยฅ10,000
      • Dining tables: ยฅ1,500โ€“ยฅ8,000
    • Delivery: Most stores offer free or low-cost delivery and assembly for purchases over a certain amount.

  3. Local Furniture Markets

    • Examples: Nanjing South Railway Station Furniture Market (ๅ—ไบฌๅ—็ซ™ๅฎถๅ…ทๅธ‚ๅœบ).
    • What to Expect: Affordable, locally made furniture with room for negotiation. Quality can vary, so inspect items carefully.
    • Price Range:
      • Sofas: ยฅ800โ€“ยฅ3,000
      • Beds: ยฅ500โ€“ยฅ2,000
      • Dining tables: ยฅ300โ€“ยฅ1,500
    • Delivery: Delivery is often included or negotiable, but assembly may require an extra fee.

  4. Online Platforms

    • Taobao (ๆท˜ๅฎ) and JD.com (ไบฌไธœ): These platforms offer a vast selection of furniture at competitive prices. However, descriptions are in Chinese, so you may need translation tools.
    • Price Range: Similar to local markets, with frequent discounts.
    • Delivery: Delivery is usually free for larger items, but assembly may require hiring a local handyman.

2. Kitchen Appliances

Essential Appliances

  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Rice cooker
  • Induction stove or gas stove
  • Electric kettle
  • Washing machine (often placed in the kitchen or bathroom)

Where to Buy

  1. Suning (่‹ๅฎๆ˜“่ดญ)

    • Location: Multiple branches across Nanjing, including Xinjiekou and Jiangning.
    • What to Expect: A trusted electronics retailer offering a wide range of kitchen and home appliances.
    • Price Range:
      • Refrigerators: ยฅ1,500โ€“ยฅ5,000
      • Microwaves: ยฅ300โ€“ยฅ1,000
      • Rice cookers: ยฅ200โ€“ยฅ800
    • Delivery: Free delivery for most items, with installation services available for larger appliances.

  2. Gome (ๅ›ฝ็พŽ็”ตๅ™จ)

    • Location: Similar to Suning, Gome has multiple branches in Nanjing.
    • What to Expect: Competitive prices on appliances, with frequent promotions.
    • Price Range: Similar to Suning.
    • Delivery: Free delivery and installation for most items.

  3. Online Platforms

    • JD.com (ไบฌไธœ): Known for fast delivery and reliable service.
    • Tmall (ๅคฉ็Œซ): Offers a wide selection of branded appliances.
    • Price Range: Often cheaper than physical stores, with frequent discounts.
    • Delivery: Same-day or next-day delivery is common for items in stock.

3. Home Essentials

Categories

  • Bedding: Sheets, pillows, duvets, and mattress toppers.
  • Cleaning Supplies: Mops, brooms, vacuum cleaners, and detergents.
  • Lighting: Lamps, LED bulbs, and decorative lighting.
  • Storage Solutions: Plastic bins, organizers, and hooks.

Where to Buy

  1. IKEA

    • Offers a wide range of home essentials, including bedding, storage solutions, and kitchenware.
    • Price Range:
      • Bedding sets: ยฅ200โ€“ยฅ800
      • Storage boxes: ยฅ50โ€“ยฅ200

  2. Local Supermarkets

    • Examples: Carrefour (ๅฎถไน็ฆ), Walmart (ๆฒƒๅฐ”็Ž›), and RT-Mart (ๅคงๆถฆๅ‘).
    • What to Expect: Affordable home essentials, including cleaning supplies and basic kitchenware.
    • Price Range:
      • Cleaning supplies: ยฅ10โ€“ยฅ50 per item
      • Kitchenware: ยฅ20โ€“ยฅ200

  3. Online Platforms

    • Taobao and Pinduoduo (ๆ‹ผๅคšๅคš): Great for budget-friendly options, but quality can vary.
    • JD.com: Reliable for higher-quality items.
    • Price Range: Often cheaper than physical stores.

4. Delivery and Assembly

  • Delivery Services: Most large retailers and online platforms offer free or low-cost delivery for purchases over a certain amount. Delivery times range from same-day to 3โ€“5 days, depending on the store and item availability.
  • Assembly Services: IKEA and other major retailers offer assembly services for a fee. For items purchased online or from local markets, you can hire a handyman through apps like 58.com (58ๅŒๅŸŽ) or Dianping (ๅคงไผ—็‚น่ฏ„). Assembly fees typically range from ยฅ50โ€“ยฅ200 per item.

5. Cultural and Logistical Considerations

  1. Apartment Sizes: Apartments in Nanjing can be smaller than what you may be used to, so measure your space carefully before purchasing large furniture or appliances.
  2. Negotiation: Bargaining is common in local furniture markets but not in chain stores like IKEA or Suning.
  3. Voltage and Plugs: Appliances in China use 220V with Type I plugs. If youโ€™re bringing appliances from abroad, check compatibility or purchase adapters.
  4. Recycling and Disposal: When replacing old appliances, some stores offer trade-in discounts or free disposal services.
  5. Language Barrier: Many store staff may not speak English, so itโ€™s helpful to bring a Chinese-speaking friend or use a translation app.

6. Budget Summary

| Category | Low-End (ยฅ) | Mid-Range (ยฅ) | High-End (ยฅ) | |-----------------------|-----------------|-------------------|------------------| | Furniture (per item) | 300โ€“800 | 1,000โ€“5,000 | 5,000+ | | Kitchen Appliances | 200โ€“1,000 | 1,000โ€“3,000 | 3,000+ | | Home Essentials | 10โ€“200 | 200โ€“800 | 800+ |

By following this guide, youโ€™ll be well-equipped to furnish and set up your home in Nanjing efficiently and within your budget. If you need further assistance, feel free to ask!