German Names of the 50 Most Common Furniture Terms

🏠 Introduction

If you're moving to Germany, decorating your home, or simply interested in learning practical German vocabulary, mastering the names of common furniture items is essential. Whether you're furnishing an apartment, visiting a furniture store (Möbelgeschäft), or browsing online, this guide will help you navigate everyday conversations with ease.

In this comprehensive post, you’ll learn:

• The most common German furniture terms

• Categories of furniture for different rooms

• Useful phrases for shopping and discussing furniture

• Tips for understanding German furniture culture

By the end, you’ll be equipped to describe any room in German and confidently navigate furniture shopping experiences.

Furniture names in German

🏡 1. Essential Furniture Vocabulary by Category

A) Living Room Furniture (Wohnzimmermöbel)

English	German
Sofa	das Sofa
Armchair	der Sessel
Coffee table	der Couchtisch
Side table	der Beistelltisch
Bookshelf	das Bücherregal
TV stand	das Fernsehregal
Cabinet	der Schrank
Display cabinet	die Vitrine
Rug	der Teppich
Floor lamp	die Stehlampe

B) Bedroom Furniture (Schlafzimmermöbel)

English	German
Bed	das Bett
Headboard	das Kopfteil
Wardrobe	der Kleiderschrank
Nightstand	der Nachttisch
Dresser	die Kommode
Mirror	der Spiegel
Blanket	die Decke
Pillow	das Kissen
Mattress	die Matratze
Chest of drawers	die Schubladenkommode

C) Dining Room Furniture (Esszimmermöbel)

English	German
Dining table	der Esstisch
Dining chair	der Esszimmerstuhl
Sideboard	das Sideboard
Buffet cabinet	die Anrichte
Serving trolley	der Servierwagen
China cabinet	die Kredenz
Bar stool	der Barhocker
Tablecloth	die Tischdecke
Napkin holder	der Serviettenhalter
Chandelier	der Kronleuchter

D) Kitchen Furniture (Küchenmöbel)

English	German
Kitchen unit	die Küchenzeile
Countertop	die Arbeitsplatte
Kitchen island	die Kücheninsel
Cupboard	der Küchenschrank
Pantry	die Speisekammer
Dish rack	das Geschirrregal
Bar counter	die Bartheke
Kitchen shelf	das Küchenregal
Breakfast nook	die Frühstücksecke
Sink	das Spülbecken

E) Office Furniture (Büromöbel)

English	German
Desk	der Schreibtisch
Office chair	der Bürostuhl
Filing cabinet	der Aktenschrank
Bookshelf	das Bücherregal
Computer desk	der Computertisch
Conference table	der Konferenztisch
Office lamp	die Bürolampe
Whiteboard	das Whiteboard
Drawer unit	der Rollcontainer
Printer stand	der Druckertisch

F) Bathroom Furniture (Badezimmermöbel)

English	German
Bathroom cabinet	der Badezimmerschrank
Vanity	der Waschtisch
Mirror cabinet	der Spiegelschrank
Laundry basket	der Wäschekorb
Towel rack	der Handtuchhalter
Bathroom shelf	das Badezimmerregal
Shower screen	die Duschabtrennung
Bathtub	die Badewanne
Shower cabin	die Duschkabine
Bath mat	die Badematte

🗨️ 2. Useful Phrases for Talking About Furniture in German

A) Describing Furniture

English	German
I like this sofa.	Mir gefällt dieses Sofa.
This table is too big.	Dieser Tisch ist zu groß.
I need a new bed.	Ich brauche ein neues Bett.
The bookshelf is made of wood.	Das Bücherregal ist aus Holz.
The armchair is very comfortable.	Der Sessel ist sehr bequem.

B) Shopping for Furniture

English	German
How much does this cost?	Wie viel kostet das?
Do you offer delivery?	Bieten Sie eine Lieferung an?
Can I get a discount?	Kann ich einen Rabatt bekommen?
Is this available in another color?	Gibt es das in einer anderen Farbe?
How long is the delivery time?	Wie lange ist die Lieferzeit?

C) Asking for Measurements

English	German
What are the dimensions of this bed?	Was sind die Maße dieses Bettes?
How wide is this wardrobe?	Wie breit ist dieser Kleiderschrank?
How tall is the bookshelf?	Wie hoch ist das Bücherregal?
Does the sofa fit through the door?	Passt das Sofa durch die Tür?
Can this table be extended?	Kann dieser Tisch verlängert werden?

🏡 3. German Furniture Culture: What You Should Know

1. DIY Furniture Assembly: Many Germans enjoy building furniture themselves, especially when purchasing from stores like IKEA or local equivalents.

2. Minimalist Design: German homes often reflect minimalist, functional, and practical design principles.

3. Second-Hand Furniture: It’s common to buy used furniture through platforms like eBay Kleinanzeigen or flea markets (Flohmärkte).

4. Energy Efficiency: Many modern German appliances and furniture focus on energy-saving features and sustainability.

5. Built-in Kitchens: In rental apartments, kitchens (Einbauküche) are often not included, meaning tenants need to purchase and install their own.

✅ 4. Practice Exercises

Try practising these sentences in German:

1. I would like to buy a dining table and six chairs.

2. How much does this wardrobe cost?

3. The sofa is too small for my living room.

4. Can I have this bed delivered next week?

5. I need a desk for my office.

Answers:

1. Ich möchte einen Esstisch und sechs Stühle kaufen.

2. Wie viel kostet dieser Kleiderschrank?

3. Das Sofa ist zu klein für mein Wohnzimmer.

4. Kann ich dieses Bett nächste Woche geliefert bekommen?

5. Ich brauche einen Schreibtisch für mein Büro.

Read our related post, German for home buyers, to learn more useful words.

🎓 5. Conclusion

Learning the German names for common furniture terms is not only practical but also essential for anyone living in or travelling to Germany. Whether you're furnishing your apartment, navigating an online marketplace, or chatting with friends about interior design, this vocabulary will help you feel more confident and connected to German culture.

Next time you go furniture shopping or redecorate your space, use these terms and phrases to enhance your experience. Viel Erfolg beim Einrichten! (Good luck with your decorating!)