What It's Really Like to Move into a Villa in Bali: Furnished vs. Unfurnished

April 1, 2025

Furnished, Semi-Furnished, or Empty? The Reality of Moving into a Villa in Bali 🏡✨ When people think of moving to Bali, they picture dreamy villas, infinity pools, and tropical gardens. What they don’t always think about is what actually comes inside those villas—or what doesn’t. Villas here come in three main options: 🔹 Fully furnished – Walk in, drop your bags, and you’re set. 🔹 Semi-furnished – A few key pieces, maybe a bed and a fridge, but you’ll need to add more. 🔹 Unfurnished – A completely blank slate, meaning you bring everything in. When we first moved into a villa last year, it was fully furnished—couches, beds, kitchen stocked with cutlery, even towels. We didn’t have to think about much beyond making it feel like home. But this time? We moved into a villa that was almost empty. Besides a couple of bed frames and some random furniture pieces, we were starting from scratch. That meant sourcing everything—a washing machine, linen, plates, cutlery, kitchen supplies, a sofa, mattresses, even the little things like toilet brushes and a toolbox. And let me tell you, buying a house worth of essentials in a foreign country is an adventure in itself! Some things were easier than expected—Bali has great secondhand marketplaces and local furniture makers who can create custom pieces at amazing prices. Other things? Not so simple. Ever tried to hunt down quality kitchen knives or a decent broom in a place where homewares shopping is a sport? 😅 But honestly, there’s something really special about building a home from scratch. Slowly, piece by piece, making it ours. The process hasn’t been quick, and we still have things on the list, but every little addition makes life here easier and more comfortable. And now, when we sit on the couch we chose, cook in the kitchen we stocked, or climb into a bed we put together, it feels like a home we truly built. Would we do it again? Ask us in a few months. 😆 But for now, we’re just grateful for every bit of progress—and for the little things, like a good cup of coffee in a home we love. ☕💛 What was the first thing you bought? #BaliVillaLife #BaliExpatLife #HomeSweetHome #MovingToBali

When you dream about moving to Bali, the vision usually includes lush rice fields, stunning sunsets, and a villa with a pool—but what you might not realize is that the villa's interior can make or break those first few weeks. In Bali, villas are typically rented in three ways: fully furnished, semi-furnished, or unfurnished. Fully furnished means turn-key ready. You’ll find couches, beds, kitchenware, towels—just unpack your suitcase and you're home. Semi-furnished might give you a bedframe, fridge, and a sofa, but not much else. Unfurnished? Get ready to build your life literally from the floor up. We’ve experienced both ends of the spectrum. Our first place was fully furnished—it was like walking into an Airbnb. Easy and effortless. But our latest villa? Nearly empty. A couple of random chairs and that was it. From shopping for a washing machine to searching for basic tools, we dived into the unexpected world of equipping a home overseas. Here’s the good news: Bali has a vibrant secondhand market, and local artisans can craft custom furniture—often affordably and beautifully. Downsides? Finding reliable appliances or quality cookware can be quirky at best, frustrating at worst. But there’s something fulfilling about slow living and building your space with intention. Piece by piece, our house has become a home. Now, when we sip morning coffee by our own handpicked table or tuck in under linens we chose, it feels special. So, if you're planning a family move to Bali, think about how much effort you're ready to put into setting up. Fully furnished saves time, but starting from scratch? It might just create a home that’s uniquely yours. Ready to make the leap? Just don’t forget to budget for brooms—and maybe a few strong cups of coffee. ☕✨ #BaliVillaLife #MovingToBali #ExpatFamilyAdventures

#BaliVillaLife#BaliExpatLife#HomeSweetHome#MovingToBali