Furnishing a new apartment in Egypt: what to buy and when

In what order should I buy furniture for a new apartment?

Buy the biggest and longest-lead pieces first: the sofa and the bed, then the dining table, then the smaller things such as coffee table, chairs and the TV unit. The big pieces decide the layout, and the small ones are chosen to fit them.

A sensible order is: sofa and bed, dining table, TV unit, coffee table, chairs, and last the lamps, rugs and decoration. Start the made-to-order pieces while the finishing is still going on, because they take weeks to build and you can only place them once the apartment is ready. Smaller things can wait until you live there and know how you use each room.

When should I measure?

Measure after the finishing is done, not from the plans. Floors, tiles, skirting, wall cladding and built-in wardrobes can each change a wall by a few centimetres, and the sizes on a plan are often not the sizes in the room.

If you cannot wait, measure when the plastering and flooring are done and the doors are fitted, and re-check the one or two walls that matter most before you confirm the order. The size slider goes to the centimetre, so a measurement you trust is worth more than a quick one.

How long does made-to-order furniture take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks from your deposit, depending on the piece: sofas 6 to 8 weeks, beds 5 to 7 weeks, dining tables 5 to 7 weeks, TV units 4 to 6 weeks, chairs and coffee tables 4 to 6 weeks.

Work back from your move-in date. If the keys arrive in three months, order the sofa and the bed at least two months before, and keep a few weeks of margin for the delivery day, because you cannot place a sofa in a flat that is still being painted.

How do I plan delivery to an upper floor or through a lift?

Check the route first: the entrance, the lift (door and inside size), the stairs and every door, and write down the narrowest point. A sofa carried on its end passes through much narrower openings than one carried flat.

Our team carries the piece to your room and places it. Please clear the route (lift, stairs, doorways) and tell us about any restriction in the order notes, and keep the lift free for the time the team needs.

If your building has no lift, check the stairs before you choose the size: the width, the headroom and the landing at each turn. A sofa has to turn on those landings, so its depth matters more than its length. Send us the measurements of the stairwell and we tell you whether the piece can go up, or suggest another size or layout.

How much does delivery cost, and where do you deliver?

Enzo delivers across Egypt from the factory in Damietta. The fee depends on the area: Greater Cairo free; Delta & Canal EGP 1,500; Upper Egypt & Coast EGP 3,500.

The team calls to agree a delivery window once the piece is ready. If you are furnishing a home abroad, we also ship worldwide on request.

What if I need to move in quickly?

If you must be in by a fixed date, order the bed and the sofa first and live with the rest for a few weeks. A bed and somewhere to sit are what you need on day one, while a dining table or a TV unit can follow.

Tell the designer your move-in date when you order so that it can be planned against the lead time.

• Week 0: measure, choose and pay the deposit for the sofa and the bed
• Weeks 1 to 4: finish painting and floors
• The last weeks: confirm the delivery day and clear the route
• After the move-in: add the smaller pieces

What should I do before the delivery day?

Have the room empty, the floor protected and the lift or stairs clear. Inspect the piece on arrival, and if anything is damaged or not as ordered, tell the delivery team and message us within 48 hours with photos.

Keep your order confirmation with the sizes and fabric you chose, for the next time you buy a matching piece.