Most apartments in Canada come unfurnished, which means newcomers land in a country where the bed, the sofa, the dining table, and even the kitchen chairs are your problem from day one. A queen mattress runs CAD $499 to $1,200 new, a basic IKEA bed frame starts at $179, and a Structube sofa lands between $800 and $1,400. The good news is that you do not have to buy any of it new. This guide covers where newcomers buy furniture in Canada in 2026, which retailers are worth your money, the free and low-cost programs that exist for new immigrants and refugees, and a 30-day shopping plan you can actually afford.
Quick Answer: Where Should Newcomers Buy Furniture in Canada?
- Cheapest new: IKEA (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax) and Walmart Canada. A complete bedroom setup starts under $700.
- Mid-range new: Structube (70+ Canadian stores), The Brick, Leon’s, Wayfair Canada. Sofas $800 to $1,800, dining sets $600 to $1,400.
- Best for used: Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji are the two largest used-furniture markets in Canada. Habitat for Humanity ReStore has 100+ Canadian locations selling donated furniture at 50% to 90% off retail.
- Free for newcomers and refugees: Furniture Bank (Toronto/GTA), Matthew House Ottawa, House to Home (Ottawa), Oyate Tipi (Winnipeg), Home Again (Newfoundland), JRCC Furniture Depot (York Region). Most require a referral from a settlement agency.
- Buy new, not used: Mattresses, pillows, and upholstered items if you have allergies or pest concerns.
- Buy used without hesitation: Bed frames, dining tables, dressers, bookshelves, sofas with removable washable covers, lamps, kitchenware.
Why Newcomer Furniture Costs Hit Harder in Canada
Three things make furnishing a first home in Canada more expensive than in many other countries.
Apartments are unfurnished by default. Outside of student housing and short-term corporate rentals, “furnished” is the exception. The average lease in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal is signed on an empty unit. The Canadian Housing Survey from Statistics Canada confirms that fewer than 6% of long-term rental apartments in major cities include any furniture beyond appliances.
Apartment-sized pieces cost more per square inch. Most newcomers land in a 500 to 800 sq ft one-bedroom apartment. The condo-friendly versions of standard furniture (apartment sofas, queen-size beds with under-storage, narrow consoles) carry a 10% to 25% premium over the same brand’s full-size pieces. Structube and IKEA both publish dedicated “small space” lines for this reason.
Delivery and assembly are not included. The sticker price you see in Canadian furniture stores almost never includes shipping or set-up. IKEA charges a flat $59 to $149 delivery fee inside major metro areas, plus an extra $40 to $100 for assembly. The Brick, Leon’s, and Wayfair add a similar tier of fees on top of the listed price, with Wayfair’s free-shipping threshold sitting at orders over $50 (small items only). Build the delivery line into your budget before you swipe the card.
If your rental contract surprised you in any of these ways, our apartment prices guide walks through what is and is not included in a typical Canadian lease, and our utilities in Canada guide covers heat, electricity, and water charges that may also be on you.
The Best Furniture Stores for Newcomers in Canada
Canada’s furniture market is dominated by a small group of national retailers. Knowing which is which saves you weeks of comparison shopping.
IKEA Canada
IKEA runs 14 Canadian stores from Halifax to Richmond, BC, plus full delivery coverage. Prices are the lowest in the new-furniture market and the assembly system is forgiving for first-time renters. A queen MALM bed frame is $349, a KALLAX shelf unit (4-cube) starts at $89, a POÄNG armchair is $129, and a small dining table with two chairs starts under $199. The catch: IKEA stores are almost always located in suburban industrial parks and do not run on transit-friendly schedules. If you do not have a car, plan for delivery ($59 to $149 flat) or rent a Communauto / Zipcar / Turo van for the day.
Structube
Structube is the Canadian-owned mid-range option with 70+ stores across the country. It sits a clear step above IKEA in style and a clear step below The Brick in price. A full sofa runs $800 to $1,400, a coffee table starts around $200, and dining sets land $600 to $1,200. Structube offers free shipping on orders over $300, which makes it one of the only mid-range Canadian retailers that does not punish small-apartment shoppers with delivery fees.
The Brick and Leon’s
The Brick (Edmonton-headquartered) and Leon’s (Toronto-headquartered) compete head-to-head across hundreds of locations. Both run a finance-and-deliver model that resembles a U.S. department store. Watch for two things: their 90-day price-match policy at The Brick can save you 10% to 20% if you buy ahead of a Boxing Day or Family Day sale, and Leon’s runs a “no-payments-for-12-months” credit option that newcomers without a Canadian credit history are usually denied (you typically need 6 to 12 months of Canadian credit data). Mid-range sofas run $1,000 to $2,200, queen mattress sets $799 to $1,899.
Wayfair Canada
Wayfair is online-only and ships across Canada, including northern territories where physical furniture stores rarely deliver. Free shipping kicks in on orders over $50 for most items but excludes oversized pieces (mattresses, sectionals) where shipping can run $80 to $250. Wayfair is strongest for accent pieces (rugs, lamps, side tables, bedding) and weakest for high-cost items where you cannot test the build quality before purchase.
Walmart and Costco
Walmart Canada carries an under-priced bedroom and living-room range that is genuinely useable for short-term apartments and student housing. A queen platform bed runs $199 to $399, a dining set $249 to $499, and a small sofa $399 to $799. Costco runs a smaller furniture selection but its quality tier is noticeably higher than Walmart’s and members get better return windows.
HomeSense and Winners
HomeSense and Winners (both owned by TJX Canada) run a “treasure hunt” model where furniture inventory rotates weekly. You will not find a matching sofa-and-loveseat set, but accent chairs, throw pillows, lamps, rugs, and small storage pieces frequently sell at 30% to 60% below Wayfair or Structube on identical or near-identical items. Worth a single in-person trip during your first month, then add to a regular rotation.
Free Furniture for Newcomers and Refugees in Canada
The most under-publicized resource for newcomer furniture in Canada is the network of registered charities and furniture banks operating in every major city. Most require a referral from a settlement agency or social-services partner, and most have a wait time of 4 to 8 weeks, so apply on the same day you sign your lease.
Furniture Bank (Toronto and the GTA)
Furniture Bank has been operating in Toronto since 1998 and is the largest furniture-redistribution charity in Canada. Newcomers and refugees are an explicit priority population. The furniture itself is free; there is a flat $300 delivery fee that covers transportation, insurance, and the moving team. Access requires a referral from one of Furniture Bank’s 60+ partner agencies, including the Kababayan Multicultural Centre, COSTI Immigrant Services, and CultureLink. Wait times average 4 to 8 weeks from referral.
Matthew House Ottawa
Matthew House Ottawa runs a parallel furniture-bank program for newcomers, refugee claimants, and low-income families in the Ottawa region. The program was founded in 2008 in response to an influx of Haitian refugees and now serves an average of eight households a day, with 1,800+ family members helped in 2024 alone. Access is by referral through one of Matthew House’s 50+ social-service partners. There is no delivery fee for clients who can pick up; delivery is offered on a sliding scale.
House to Home (Ottawa)
House to Home is a separate Ottawa-based charity focused specifically on refugees arriving through government and private sponsorship channels. They deliver fully furnished homes (beds, sofa, dining table, kitchen basics) using donated and lightly used items. Access is coordinated through your sponsor or settlement agency.
Oyate Tipi (Winnipeg)
Oyate Tipi Cumini Yape is a Winnipeg-based furniture bank that explicitly lists newcomers and new immigrants as eligible recipients. Items are free and the agency works with referring partners across the city.
Home Again (Newfoundland)
Home Again Furniture Bank serves the Northeast Avalon region of Newfoundland, including St. John’s and surrounding communities. The model mirrors Furniture Bank Toronto: free furniture matched to family size, with a small delivery fee and a referral requirement.
JRCC Furniture Depot (York Region)
JRCC Furniture Depot operates across York Region and parts of north Toronto in partnership with 60+ social-service agencies. Vulnerable newcomers are an explicit priority group. The depot offers furniture pickup and a delivery option.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
ReStore is not a free-furniture program but it sits in the same affordability tier. Habitat for Humanity Canada runs 100+ ReStore locations across the country, selling donated new and gently used furniture, appliances, and home goods at 50% to 90% off retail price. ReStore inventory is open to anyone walking in and the proceeds fund Habitat’s affordable-housing builds. There are stores in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Surrey, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, and most mid-size Canadian cities.
Salvation Army Thrift Store and Value Village
Salvation Army (300+ Canadian locations) and Value Village / Savers (150+ Canadian locations) carry rotating used-furniture inventory. Pricing is higher than ReStore but lower than retail. Go in person; their websites do not show furniture inventory in real time.
If you are within your first month in Canada and need a referral, your local immigrant-serving organization (settlement.org in Ontario, MOSAIC in BC, ISSofBC in Vancouver, IRCOM in Manitoba, Catholic Immigration Centre in Ottawa) can refer you to the closest furniture bank in the same conversation that sets up your other settlement services.
Buying Used Furniture in Canada: Marketplaces and Safety
Canada has a huge secondhand furniture market and prices are typically 30% to 70% below new retail.
Facebook Marketplace is the largest used-furniture market in every major Canadian city. The interface is faster than Kijiji, sellers are tied to a public profile, and most listings are local. Search “moving sale” the last week of any month and you will find heavily discounted full apartment sets from people leaving the country or downsizing.
Kijiji is the older Canadian classifieds platform and remains strong for larger items (sectionals, dining sets, appliances) and in cities outside Toronto and Vancouver. Search radius and price filters work well; communication is slower than Facebook Marketplace.
Buy Nothing groups are hyper-local Facebook groups (and a separate app) where neighbours give and receive items completely for free. Most major Canadian cities have multiple neighbourhood-level Buy Nothing groups (Metro Vancouver alone has 50+). Furniture posts are common, especially during the May 1 (Quebec) and end-of-month (Ontario, BC, Alberta) move cycles.
Karrot is a newer hyper-local marketplace gaining traction in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, with built-in user verification and chat that reduces scam risk.
Craigslist is still active in Vancouver and Toronto for furniture but volume has fallen sharply since 2020.
Marketplace Safety for Newcomers
Online marketplace robberies have been climbing in Canadian cities since 2023, including a flagged increase in personal robberies tied to in-person exchanges by Ottawa Police Service in 2025. Three rules:
- Use a Safe Exchange Zone. Most Canadian police services (Toronto Police, Peel Regional, Calgary Police, Edmonton Police, Ottawa Police, Vancouver Police, RCMP) host designated safe-exchange parking lots at police stations. They are well-lit, video-monitored, and free.
- Never have the seller deliver to your home address as the first contact. If you must pick up at the seller’s home, bring a friend and tell someone your destination. Daylight only.
- Pay cash or e-transfer only after meeting in person. Sellers who insist on payment before viewing are almost always scams.
Inspect every piece in person. Look for water rings on wood (warping), broken slats under mattress platforms, loose joints in dining chairs, and signs of pests under cushions. The two non-negotiables for refusing a used purchase are visible bed bugs (any stage) and active mould.
What to Buy New vs. Used: A Decision Matrix
| Item | Buy New If | Buy Used If | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mattress | Always (or near-always) | Only from a personal contact you trust | Used mattresses carry bed-bug risk; most charities will not accept them. Sleep Country offers a 365-night exchange. |
| Pillows | Always | Never | $30 to $80 new at Walmart, Costco, IKEA. |
| Bed frame | If you want under-bed storage or matching set | Often | Solid wood frames hold value and can be flipped for free or near-free. |
| Sofa | If you have allergies or kids | If covers are removable / washable | Inspect cushions, seams, and underside. Test-sit for 5 minutes. |
| Dining table | Rarely | Almost always | Solid wood tables refinish well; small cosmetic damage is normal. |
| Dining chairs | If matching the table is critical | If structurally sound | Wobbly chairs are dangerous; check joints. |
| Dresser | Rarely | Yes | Solid wood is far cheaper used. Avoid particle board if it is sagging. |
| Bookshelves | If matching is important | Yes | IKEA Billy and Kallax flood the used market in every Canadian city. |
| Coffee / side tables | Rarely | Yes | Easy refinishing target. |
| Lamps | Sometimes | Yes | Test the cord and switch before buying. |
| Rugs | Yes | Only if professionally cleaned | Used rugs often hold pet, smoke, and dust mite residue. |
| Bedding (sheets, duvet) | Always | Never | Hygiene non-negotiable. |
| Kitchenware | Walmart / IKEA basics | ReStore, Value Village | $50 to $150 sets new at Walmart and IKEA cover a starter kitchen. |
| TV stand / media console | Rarely | Yes | Check VESA mount compatibility if you wall-mount. |
A 30-Day Furniture Plan for Newcomers in Canada
The trap most newcomers fall into is buying everything at once in week one. The smarter approach is to phase the purchase over 30 days, lean on free and used sources for the largest pieces, and reserve cash for the new-only items.
Days 1 to 7: Sleep, Eat, Sit
The minimum viable apartment. You need a bed, somewhere to eat, and somewhere to sit. Skip everything else.
- Mattress: new from IKEA, Sleep Country, or Walmart. $299 to $799 for a queen.
- Bed frame: IKEA NEIDEN single ($79) or MALM queen ($349), or used from Facebook Marketplace ($60 to $150).
- Bedding starter set: Walmart or IKEA. $80 to $150.
- Folding table and two chairs: IKEA, Walmart, or Canadian Tire. $80 to $200.
- Sofa or futon: used from Facebook Marketplace or Buy Nothing group ($0 to $300), or new IKEA POÄNG armchair ($129) as a stopgap.
Total week-1 spend: $500 to $900 for a single, $800 to $1,500 for a couple.
Days 8 to 21: Apply for Free Resources, Hunt Used
In parallel with week one, contact a settlement agency for a furniture-bank referral. Wait times of 4 to 8 weeks mean you cannot rely on Furniture Bank, Matthew House, or Oyate Tipi for week-one needs, but a referral applied for now will deliver storage, dining, and living-room pieces by week six.
While waiting:
- Set Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji alerts for “dresser,” “bookshelf,” “coffee table,” “dining set” with a 5 km radius.
- Visit your nearest Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Inventory rotates weekly.
- Walk the Salvation Army and Value Village closest to your apartment.
- Join two or three local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook.
Days 22 to 30: Fill In and Upgrade
By week four you will know which used pieces you actually use and which week-one purchases you regret. Now is the time to:
- Replace the folding table with a real dining set (used or Structube / IKEA new).
- Add storage (Kallax shelves, dresser, console).
- Upgrade soft items (rugs, curtains, throw pillows) at HomeSense.
- If your furniture-bank referral comes through, accept the delivery and decide what to keep.
A Realistic Budget by Household Size
| Household | New-Heavy Budget | Mixed (recommended) | Used + Free Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, studio / 1BR | $2,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $2,000 | $400 to $900 |
| Couple, 1BR | $3,500 to $5,000 | $2,000 to $3,200 | $700 to $1,500 |
| Family, 2BR | $5,500 to $8,000 | $3,200 to $5,000 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Family, 3BR | $7,500 to $11,000 | $4,500 to $7,000 | $1,800 to $3,500 |
These ranges assume mattresses purchased new, with most other items mixed between mid-range retailers and used sources. If you are a refugee, government-assisted resettlement client, or low-income newcomer, the “Used + Free Heavy” column drops further once a furniture-bank referral comes through.
For broader settlement budgeting, see our guide to managing your finances as a newcomer in Canada and our roundup of the best Canadian banks for students and newcomers.
Bedding for Canadian Winters: What Newcomers Get Wrong
If you are arriving from a tropical or subtropical climate, the single biggest bedding mistake is under-buying duvet weight. Most Canadian apartments are well-heated in winter, but basement units, older buildings, and units with windows on multiple exterior walls run cold even in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. In Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Quebec City the indoor temperature gap between a heated unit and an outside wall can be 6°C to 8°C.
Aim for:
- Duvet: 10.5 tog or higher for most apartments. 13.5 tog (all-season) if you are in a basement, on a top floor, or anywhere on the Prairies. IKEA, Costco, and The Bay carry both.
- Mattress topper: A 5 cm memory-foam or wool topper makes used or budget mattresses noticeably warmer in winter. Costco runs the best price-per-thickness ratio.
- Sheets: Cotton flannel for November to March, percale or sateen for April to October.
- Pillows: Two per sleeper; replace every 18 to 24 months for hygiene.
Apartment Building Logistics: Delivery, Elevators, Walk-Ups
Most Canadian condo and apartment buildings require advance booking of the service elevator for any furniture delivery. Skipping this step is the most common newcomer mistake.
- Book the elevator with the building manager 3 to 7 days before delivery. Many buildings require a refundable damage deposit of $200 to $500.
- Confirm the delivery window matches the elevator booking. IKEA and The Brick offer 4-hour delivery windows; Wayfair gives “estimated week” windows that are harder to align with elevator bookings.
- Walk-up surcharges apply at most retailers if you are above the second floor with no elevator. The Brick and Leon’s charge $25 to $75 per flight; IKEA charges a flat $40 for stairs delivery.
- Measure twice. Take the width of your front door, the width of every interior doorway the piece must pass through, and the dimensions of the elevator (depth, height, door clearance). A queen box spring that does not split into a half-queen is the classic Canadian apartment failure mode; ask whether the model you are buying is “split foundation” before you buy.
Furniture for International Students in Canada
If you are a newcomer student rather than a permanent resident or skilled worker, the calculus shifts. Most students are in 8- to 12-month leases, often in shared housing, and will move at least once before settling. The advice:
- Lean used-heavy. End-of-semester Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji listings (April in undergraduate cities, August in research-program cities) are the cheapest used-furniture market in Canada.
- Use student-housing furniture banks where they exist. Several universities (UBC, University of Toronto, McGill, McMaster, University of Calgary) maintain student-run furniture exchanges run through the international students’ office.
- Avoid buying mattresses. Furnished student housing is far easier to find than furnished general housing. Our accommodation guide for international students covers furnished options in depth.
Check Out How We Got Free Furniture | NEW IMMIGRANTS IN CANADA| Storytime
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to furnish a 1-bedroom apartment in Canada?
A new-heavy budget for a 1-bedroom apartment in Canada runs CAD $2,500 to $3,500 for a single occupant or $3,500 to $5,000 for a couple. A mixed approach using IKEA, Structube, and used-marketplace pieces brings the same setup down to $1,200 to $3,200. A used-and-free-heavy plan, including a furniture-bank referral, lands as low as $400 to $1,500.
Can newcomers get free furniture in Canada?
Yes. Furniture Bank in Toronto, Matthew House Ottawa, House to Home Ottawa, Oyate Tipi in Winnipeg, Home Again in Newfoundland, and JRCC Furniture Depot in York Region all provide free furniture to newcomers and refugees. Most require a referral from a settlement agency and have a wait of 4 to 8 weeks. Habitat for Humanity ReStore offers heavily discounted (not free) furniture at 100+ Canadian locations.
Is IKEA cheaper than Structube in Canada?
Yes, on every comparable category. A queen IKEA bed frame starts at $179 to $349; a comparable Structube bed runs $499 to $899. An IKEA sofa runs $399 to $899; a comparable Structube sofa runs $800 to $1,400. Structube prices the gap as a quality and design upgrade, which is real but not always worth the spread for a first apartment.
Should I buy a used mattress?
No, in almost every case. Used mattresses carry bed-bug, bedbug-egg, and dust-mite risk. Most Canadian furniture banks, charity thrift stores, and resale platforms refuse to accept used mattresses for this reason. New entry-level queen mattresses start at $299 at Walmart and IKEA and $399 at Sleep Country, which is the cheapest hygienic option available.
What is the safest way to buy used furniture in Canada?
Use Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji with a Safe Trade Zone exchange at a local police station, bring a friend, pay only after meeting in person, and inspect for bed bugs and structural damage before paying. For higher-value items (sofas, dressers), arrange viewing at the seller’s home in daylight with someone who knows where you are.
Do furniture banks in Canada deliver?
Some do, others require pickup. Furniture Bank Toronto charges a flat $300 delivery fee which covers transportation and the moving team; Matthew House Ottawa offers sliding-scale delivery; Oyate Tipi and Home Again charge small delivery fees that vary by distance. ReStore locations vary; many partner with local moving services for a fee.
How long does furniture delivery take in Canada?
IKEA and Structube deliver within 3 to 10 business days in major metros. The Brick, Leon’s, and Wayfair deliver in 5 to 21 business days depending on stock. Custom or imported pieces (Article, EQ3, Crate & Barrel) commonly take 6 to 14 weeks. Furniture-bank wait times after a successful referral run 4 to 8 weeks.
Where can I buy newcomer furniture in cities outside Toronto and Vancouver?
In Calgary and Edmonton, IKEA, The Brick (Edmonton-headquartered), and Habitat for Humanity ReStore cover most needs; Oyate Tipi is the closest free option (in Winnipeg, a flight or 13-hour drive from Calgary). In Ottawa, Matthew House and House to Home are the standout free options alongside IKEA and the local ReStore. In Halifax, the IKEA Dartmouth store opened in 2017 and remains the cheapest new-furniture source; Habitat ReStore Halifax handles most used inventory. In Quebec City and Montreal, Structube (Quebec-based) and IKEA Boucherville are the local anchors, with Renaissance and Le Chaînon running comparable thrift programs.
If you are still finalizing where you will live in Canada, our Toronto, Edmonton, and Brampton city guides cover neighbourhood-level rent, transit, and settlement details. If you are still moving belongings into the country, our guide to shipping to Canada walks through customs, duty, and timing for the items already worth bringing rather than rebuying.