Cost guide
How much does FF&E cost?
A mid-range scheme and a top-tier one can differ several times over for the same room count. Trade pricing sits 30–50% below retail. Here is what moves the number — and how to get a real figure for your project.
Where projects sit
City apartment
One to two bedrooms, mid-range Italian brands
Flexform, Molteni&C, Foscarini
Mid-range tier
Full FF&E
Family villa
Four-plus bedrooms, top-tier brands
Minotti, B&B Italia, Boffi, Flos
Top tier
Full FF&E
Statement sofa
e.g. Minotti Seymour, fabric-dependent
Single hero piece
Trade pricing
Per item
Designer kitchen
Boffi, per linear meter
Built-in fixture
Trade pricing
Per project
These tiers are indicative only — every project moves with room count, brand tier and customization, and 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; larger multi-brand projects 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 our procurement fee, 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 several times over for the same room count. Choosing tier by room — not for the whole project — is where good budget planning happens.
Customization
Standard configurations ship at list; made-to-order 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 and 2–4 weeks of freight. Freight and duties are not included in the furniture price — they are billed separately at cost, and duties are set by the destination country, so they cannot be fixed in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to furnish an apartment with Italian furniture?
It scales with room count, brand tier and customization — a top-tier scheme can run several times a mid-range one for the same space. Rather than quote a figure that rarely survives a real specification, we return a consolidated number once we have your room list and brand direction.
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 large multi-brand order earns 42–45%.
Is there a minimum project value?
We set a minimum project scope for new clients, which we confirm when we scope your project. There is no minimum for design professionals with an ongoing relationship. Below that threshold, buying directly through local authorized 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 keep product cost separate from freight and duties: both are billed separately at cost, and duties cannot be fixed in advance.
Are shipping and customs included in the price?
No. Our quote covers the furniture — factory price, trade discount and our procurement fee — with no charges added after approval. Freight and customs are not included: freight is billed separately at cost, and customs duties are set by the destination country and paid on import, so they cannot be quoted in advance. We prepare the documentation, but the final duty is the authorities’ to set.
Get a real number for your project
Send your specification or moodboard and we will return a consolidated quote — product and trade discount as line items, with freight and customs shown separately at cost.