Cost guide
How much does FF&E cost?
A mid-range two-bedroom apartment runs CHF 80,000–150,000 in full FF&E; a top-tier four-bedroom villa CHF 250,000–800,000+. Trade pricing sits 30–50% below retail. Here is what moves the number.
Indicative figures
Two-bedroom apartment
Mid-range Italian brands
Flexform, Molteni&C, Foscarini
CHF 80,000 – 150,000
Full FF&E
Four-bedroom villa
Top-tier brands
Minotti, B&B Italia, Boffi, Flos
CHF 250,000 – 800,000+
Full FF&E
Single statement sofa
Minotti Seymour, fabric dependent
Retail $12,000 – 35,000
$8,000 – 25,000
Trade pricing
Designer kitchen
Boffi, per linear metre
Retail CHF 8,000 – 15,000/m
CHF 5,000 – 10,000/m
Trade pricing
Figures are indicative full-FF&E ranges and move with room count, brand tier and customisation. Every project is quoted individually after a specification review.
Listino, trade and volume
Italian manufacturers set a list price (the listino). Trade partners receive 30–40% off list; volume projects above CHF 200,000 reach 40–50%. A designer ordering one Cassina table gets the standard 35%; the same table inside a large multi-brand order gets 42–45%.
Even after a procurement fee and shipping, the total typically lands 20–35% below a retail showroom — where the same pieces sell at full list or a modest 10–15% courtesy discount. At Via della Seta the fee is built into the quote, not added on top.
See indicative trade vs retail by brand →Four things that move the budget
Brand tier
The single biggest lever. A mid-range Italian living room and a top-tier one can differ 3–4× for the same room count. Choosing tier by room — not for the whole project — is where good budget planning happens.
Customisation
Standard configurations ship at list; bespoke sizes, finishes and fabrics add both cost and lead time. A custom Poliform wardrobe sits at the long, expensive end; a stock Flos lamp at the short, cheap one.
Quantity & access
Volume earns deeper trade discounts, but large-format pieces add delivery cost and access risk. A villa with stair-only access can carry meaningful white-glove logistics on top of product.
Destination
EU delivery is straightforward. The US, UK and Middle East add customs documentation, duties and 2–4 weeks shipping. Duties are passed through at cost — never marked up — but they belong in the budget.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to furnish an apartment with Italian furniture?
As a guide, a two-bedroom apartment furnished with mid-range Italian brands (Flexform, Molteni&C, Foscarini) typically runs CHF 80,000–150,000 in full FF&E. A four-bedroom villa with top-tier brands (Minotti, B&B Italia, Boffi, Flos) ranges from CHF 250,000 to CHF 800,000 and above. The figure scales with room count, brand tier and customisation.
How big is the trade discount on Italian furniture?
Standard trade discounts run 30–40% below retail list price. On larger multi-brand projects, volume discounts reach 40–50%. The exact figure depends on brand, product category and total order value: a single Cassina table earns the standard 35%, while the same table inside a CHF 200,000 multi-brand order earns 42–45%.
Is there a minimum project value?
CHF 20,000 for new clients. There is no minimum for design professionals with an ongoing relationship. Below CHF 20,000, buying directly through local authorised dealers usually makes more sense — though we are happy to advise on brand and product selection at any budget.
How should I structure an FF&E budget?
Allocate by where the money earns its keep — invest the top tier in the pieces that define each room and use mid-range lines where they will not be noticed. Hold a 10–15% contingency for transit damage, discontinued models and fabric batch variation. And separate product cost from logistics and duties so cross-border charges do not surprise you late.
Are shipping and customs included in the price?
At Via della Seta the procurement fee is built into the quoted price, and a single quote covers factory price, trade discount, shipping and customs as line items — no charges added after approval. Customs duties for non-EU destinations are passed through at cost.
Get a real number for your project
Send your specification or moodboard and we will return a consolidated quote — product, discount, shipping and customs as line items.