Moving & furnishing
your home
Once the paperwork is done, there's still the practical side of moving in - getting your belongings there and making the place feel like home. Whether you're bringing furniture from abroad or starting fresh, there are a few things worth knowing.
This guide explains how to arrange your move and where to find furniture in West Flanders.
Overview
Moving day looks different for everyone, depending on whether you're relocating from nearby or from abroad, and whether you already own furniture or are starting from scratch. Planning ahead for both the move itself and furnishing your new home will save you time and stress in your first weeks.
Arranging your move
If you're moving within Belgium or from a nearby country, you can hire a moving company (verhuisfirma) to transport your belongings, or rent a van and do it yourself. For international moves, most people work with a removal company that specialises in cross-border relocation.
When arranging your move, consider:
- Getting quotes from a few moving companies, since prices can vary significantly
- Whether the company offers packing services, which can save time but adds to the cost
- Insurance for your belongings during transport, especially for long-distance or international moves
- Access at both your old and new address, such as parking for the moving truck or lift availability
Buying furniture
If you need to furnish your new home, West Flanders has plenty of options, from large retail chains to second-hand shops:
- Large furniture retailers — chains such as IKEA, Casa, and Leen Bakker are widely available and offer affordable, ready-to-assemble furniture.
- Second-hand shops and platforms — buying second-hand is common in Belgium and a budget-friendly way to furnish your home quickly. Popular options include local thrift shops (kringwinkel, also called kringloopwinkel), the online second-hand portal 2dehands.be, and Facebook Marketplace.
- Local furniture stores — smaller, independent shops are common in most towns and can be a good option if you're looking for something more specific or higher quality.
Good to know: kringwinkel shops are second-hand stores run by social economy organisations and subsidised by the government, which keeps prices very low. You'll find one in almost every city, and buying there also supports local employment and reuse initiatives.
Sources
- Province of West Flanders — west-vlaanderen.be
- Moving to Flanders — vlaanderen.be
- Second-hand marketplace — 2dehands.be
- Find a kringloopwinkel near you — dekringwinkel.be
