/Buying Indonesian Furniture for Expats

Buying Indonesian Furniture for Expats

Indonesia offers a unique opportunity to explore its rich cultural heritage through its local furniture market. Whether settling in Jakarta or another city in Indonesia, furnishing your new home with Indonesian furniture will beautify your living space and connect you to local arts and traditions.

Indonesian furniture is renowned for its quality and distinctive style, especially made from indigenous materials such as teak. Indonesian teak furniture is highly sought-after for its durability, elegant grain, and resistance to pests and weather, making it perfect for indoor and outdoor spaces. When choosing furniture such as sofas, dining chairs, and coffee tables, consider the sturdiness of teak to ensure you’re investing in furniture that will last.

Indonesian craftsmen also use other materials such as rattan and bamboo, woven into stunning designs for side tables and ornaments. This flexibility offers expats a variety of options, from traditional to modern, to suit any style of home decor. There are also a few materials to consider when choosing solid wood furniture, for example, mahogany, suar wood, acacia wood, Sungkai wood, and mango wood. In addition, some furniture is made from high-pressure laminate (HPL), a synthetic wood, so it is not the same as solid wood.

Where to Shop for Indonesian Furniture
Knowing where to find quality furniture in Indonesia is important. Jakarta, the country’s capital, has various furniture stores ranging from high-end boutiques to local markets. High-end stores generally offer a selection of well-crafted Indonesian furniture including plush sofas and luxurious dining tables that can be the centerpiece of any home. Some places to shop for furniture are in Kemang, South Jakarta, at the Jakarta Design Center, or the Indonesia Design District in PIK, Tangerang.

On the other hand, local markets can be a treasure trove of unique pieces at more affordable prices. Here, you can find handmade antique side tables and coffee tables that feel charming for your living room.

When buying furniture in Indonesia, expats need to consider several logistical aspects. Firstly, the size of the furniture should fit the living space, especially for the compact expat accommodation. Furthermore, delivery options should be discussed as many stores offer delivery services, especially in big cities like Jakarta. For example, some stores offer free delivery.

Another factor is the maintenance of the furniture. Indonesia’s climate can be humid, which affects different materials in different ways. For example, teak wood furniture is very resistant to humidity, but other materials may require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. Please ask the store for care instructions for the furniture you choose.

–sh