What should be bought first for a new flat?

Beds and mattresses, a hob and refrigerator, fans, lights, geysers, curtains, a water purifier and a washing machine come first. Fixed wardrobes, the full kitchen and decorative work follow in later phases.

Are the wardrobes and lights in a show flat part of the purchase?

Usually they are staged by the developer and are outside the sale. The specifications in the agreement for sale list what comes with the flat, such as flooring, doors, bathroom fittings and electrical points.

Should defects be reported before interior work starts?

Yes. Section 14 of the RERA Act makes the promoter rectify defects reported within five years of possession, within thirty days and without charge. Report them in writing before carpentry or painting covers them.

What is the GST rate on air conditioners and televisions?

The rate is 18%. The GST Council, at its meeting of 3 September 2025, reduced GST on air conditioners, dishwashers and televisions from 28% to 18%.

Is second-hand furniture a sensible choice for a new home?

Yes, for solid wood tables, chairs and shelves in sound condition. Check joints, drawers and the underside for damage and pests, and budget for polish or new upholstery.

Furnishing a New Flat on a Budget: A Phased Plan

Furnishing is the next large expense after the purchase of a home, and it arrives when savings are at their lowest. This guide sets out a phased way to furnish a new flat in Bangalore without overspending. It covers what the builder hands over, what to buy first, where to save, and the tax, warranty and society rules that affect the work.

Start With What the Builder Hands Over

The first step costs nothing: read the specifications in the agreement for sale. They list the flooring, doors, windows, bathroom fittings, electrical points and any kitchen counter that come with the flat. Everything outside that list is the owner's cost.

A show flat is a poor guide to this list. Its wardrobes, false ceilings, lighting and loose furniture are staged by the developer and are seldom part of the sale. A budget drawn from the show flat will overshoot what most households plan to spend.

Inspect the flat at handover before any carpenter starts work. Under section 14 of the RERA Act, the promoter must rectify defects in workmanship or quality reported within five years of possession. The repair is due within thirty days and without charge, so report damp patches, cracked tiles and faulty fittings in writing first.

Set the Budget Before Buying Anything

A furnishing budget works best as a fixed sum, decided before the first showroom visit. Start from the cash left after the down payment, stamp duty, registration and moving costs. Keep an emergency reserve aside, then treat the balance as the ceiling for the first year.

The home loan matters here too. A household already paying a large EMI has less room for a second loan for interiors. The EMI calculator shows the monthly outgo on the home loan, which helps fix how much is left for furniture each month.

Split the budget into three phases instead of one large order. The first phase makes the flat liveable, the second adds fixed storage, and the third adds comfort and finish. Living in the flat for a few weeks between phases shows what is really needed.

Phase 1: What a Home Needs on Day One

The first phase is limited to the items a family cannot do without in the first week. Most of them are loose pieces that move to any future home.

Beds and mattresses for every bedroom in use
A cooking hob, gas connection, basic kitchen storage and a refrigerator
Fans and lights in every room, and a geyser in each bathroom in use
Curtains or blinds for privacy and heat control
A water purifier and a washing machine
Safety grilles or invisible grilles on balconies where children live in the home

Seating and a dining table follow as funds allow. A small set that fits the room is better than a large one bought to fill space.

Phase 2: Wardrobes and the Kitchen

Fixed storage is the largest single cost in most flats, so it deserves the most care. Wardrobes and kitchen cabinets are built to the room and cannot be taken along on a move. Measure every wall, check where switches and windows fall, and get at least three written quotes on the same drawing.

Compare quotes on the same basis. Each one should state the board or plywood grade, the finish, the hardware and the rate per sq ft of shutter area. A low rate on a thinner board or unbranded hinges is a different product and will age faster.

Build only the storage the household uses today. A guest room or a study works well with a loose cupboard for the first year. Fixed wardrobes for those rooms are easy to add once the need is clear.

Phase 3: Comfort and Finish

The last phase covers what makes the flat pleasant instead of merely usable. It includes air conditioners, a television unit, false ceilings, decorative lighting, wall finishes and extra seating. All of it waits without harm until the first two phases are paid for.

Fresh paint and good lighting change a room more than costly furniture does. A single accent wall, warm lamps and a few plants cost little and are easy to redo later.

Five Ways to Spend Less

A lower bill comes more from choices than from discounts. These five habits cut the cost without making the home look cheap.

Reuse what already works

Solid furniture from the previous home is the cheapest furniture available. A good bed, a dining table or a bookshelf carries over with no cost beyond transport. Familiar pieces also make a new flat feel like home sooner.

Refurbish before replacing

A coat of polish, new upholstery or changed handles renews an old piece at a fraction of the price of a new one. Sofas with a sound frame are worth re-covering. Old wooden furniture often outlasts new board furniture after a repair.

Consider second-hand pieces

Bangalore has a steady supply of used furniture, because many households relocate for work. Solid wood tables, chairs and shelves hold up well and are worth a look. Check joints, drawers and the underside for damage and pests before paying.

Choose furniture with more than one use

Pieces that do two jobs save both money and floor space. A sofa that opens into a bed covers a guest room. A bed with storage below, a foldable dining table or a study desk built into a wardrobe unit does the same in a compact flat.

Skip the matched set

Showrooms sell sofas, beds and dining tables as complete sets, with pieces a home may not need. Buying one piece at a time costs less and gives the rooms more character. A common colour or wood tone keeps mixed pieces looking planned.

Tax, Bills and Warranty

Every large purchase should come with a tax invoice that names the item, model and seller. The invoice is the proof needed for a warranty claim, an insurance claim or a dispute. Cash deals without a bill save little and remove that protection.

GST on some large appliances fell after the GST Council's meeting of 3 September 2025. The rate on air conditioners, dishwashers and televisions was reduced from 28% to 18%. Check that the quoted price reflects the current rate, and ask whether installation is charged separately.

For carpentry, ask for a written warranty on hardware and on the boards. Keep the final part of the payment until the work is checked against the drawing.

Society Rules During Fit-Out

Most apartment associations set rules for interior work, and breaking them delays the job. Typical rules cover working hours, use of the service lift, a refundable deposit and debris removal. Ask the association or the builder's facility office for the rules in writing before work begins.

Keep structural walls, beams and columns untouched. Changes to plumbing lines, balcony enclosures and the outer face of the building usually need permission. Core cutting for air conditioner pipes should follow the points the builder has provided.

Furnishing a New Flat in Bangalore on a Budget: A Phased Plan