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Dubai
Shopping
Lifestyle

by Sophie She

Making a Home Out Of a Rental In Dubai

11 Sept 2025

Photo: Karolina Grabowska

Being young and thriving in Dubai means also being a part of the biggest decision every year — furnished or unfurnished. Furnished means tranquility and a bigger deposit. But unfurnished is a tempting reality of a personal home with character.

Well, this article is a small list of favourite tips and shops of someone who was seduced by the prospect of a house with their personality. Inspired by the upcoming Dubai Design Week, welcome to my ‘furnishing the unfurnished’ journey.

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Before...

Tips on how to make a great home from a regular person with lots of bad experiences

  1. Don’t panic! After the excitement washes off — don’t panic. We have a lot to do, but the good thing is that the hardest part is already there — kitchen, bathrooms and all other technical apparel is already installed.
  2. Measure everything. So, there is such a thing as ‘professional measuring by a surveying/snagging company’. This is a funny experience, when someone comes in and creates a very detailed plan of your apartment. But the best thing is — now you have information about every single corner and you can easily shop online, knowing all the Ls, Ds and Ws.
  3. Create an apartment brand book. This will be your bible to avoid catastrophe. First — compile all the images of the interiors you like on Pinterest. Then see which ones are major and try to track what is the main colour palette there (or use a service like Coolors). And don’t forget to take into account your wall and embedded furniture colours. Now you have your main colours (2–3 base + 1–2 accents) and vibe — use it in situations like ‘oh I love this greek-looking vase, will it go with my scandi apartment?’. Also, a pro-tip: once you know what the style you like is called (like wabi-sabi or midcentury modern, for example), watch a couple of videos by designers on Instagram/YouTube — they usually mention the most important aspects and nuances to ensure the vibe is there.
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...and after!

Pitfalls

Some pitfalls I came across, when moving houses in Dubai that I wish I knew about:

  • Get all the approvals for moving about 1-2 weeks prior to all your couch deliveries. Meaning — if you have a new place from, say, October 1, then immediately apply for the move-in approval and notify the building service company. Then, plan all your deliveries for one day and schedule them for October 14. Otherwise, you might be turned down by your own building.
  • Don't buy outside your chosen ‘brand book’. Even when travelling. When you are in Hawaii the masks look cool. But please for the sky’s sake, please leave them there — they most definitely won't look cool in your loft-style apartment.
  • Don't minimise online shopping. Online you have lots of welcome codes in every furniture store — offline you pay a full price tag, so shop smart and collect all those Aura points!
  • Furnishing is dirty, so it is better to clean after you are done with all the installations. Save your money and sweat until after your bed frame meets the mattress.
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Sweet details

Now we have a plan — let’s go to shops!

Where to shop (if it isn’t IKEA)

  • FORMA. Amazing furniture shop for almost any trendy vibe. I have several things at home and they all are impeccable quality. The team will arrange, come, and set up everything themselves.ACIER STUDIO. This summer all home design geeks are celebrating, because the brilliant Danish Acier Studio has launched their delivery to the UAE. I mean, just look at these timeless, hygienic, minimalistic creatures — aren’t they perfect?
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Instagram: @formaspace_

  • ACIER STUDIO. This summer all home design geeks are celebrating, because the brilliant Danish Acier Studio has launched their delivery to the UAE. I mean, just look at these timeless, hygienic, minimalistic creatures — aren’t they perfect?
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Instagram: @acierstudio_

  • Loom Collection. Gentle and absolute clean girl energy things live here. Scandi feels needed? Loom collection is your saviour and vibe curator. My perfect work-non-work table was found exactly here and it is ideal.
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Instagram: @the_loom_collection

  • MODU. Okay, here we can be a bit biased, because the brand is by our dear friend — Omar Al Gurg, the owner of the prettiest house in Dubai (if you want to battle for this name — DM us!). They make truly great and unique things that will spice up any apartment.
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Instagram: @modumethod

  • La Brocante. This is the biggest pre-loved designer furniture store in Dubai and it is very very cool! They do weekend sales sometimes and it is like a true cool garage sale in movies! I found really cool accent things and the ideal wooden night table.
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Instagram: @labrocantedxb

All in all, Dubai has a lot to offer outside regular IKEA (even though they have just launched the collab of the century with Gustav Westman!).

You got this and remember — this is a nice process (even if you get way more gray hair when you are done…).