Furnishing a Shortlet Apartment in Lagos: Cost Breakdown

TL;DR: As of late 2026, furnishing a shortlet apartment in Lagos costs roughly ₦4–7M for a mainland 2-bed and ₦6–12M in Lekki/VI/Ikoyi. The mattress, power backup and WiFi are the three items guests actually judge you on — spend there first. Everything else should be durable, neutral and replaceable.

The cost of furnishing a shortlet in Lagos is where most new hosts blow their budget — either overspending on aesthetics guests don't notice, or underspending on the three things guests absolutely do. I've walked through dozens of setups with clients. Here's what it really costs in late 2026, and where every naira should go.

Full furnishing cost: 2-bedroom shortlet (₦, late 2026)

Item	Mainland standard	Lekki/VI premium
Beds & quality mattresses (2 rooms)	₦800k – ₦1.2M	₦1.2M – ₦2M
Living room set	₦600k – ₦1M	₦1M – ₦1.8M
Kitchen setup (appliances, cookware)	₦500k – ₦800k	₦800k – ₦1.4M
Inverter + batteries (power backup)	₦800k – ₦1.5M	₦1.2M – ₦2.5M
Air conditioners (3–4 units)	₦600k – ₦900k	₦900k – ₦1.4M
Smart TV + sound	₦300k – ₦500k	₦500k – ₦900k
WiFi setup (router + backup)	₦100k – ₦200k	₦150k – ₦300k
Curtains, blackout blinds	₦200k – ₦350k	₦300k – ₦600k
Linen & towels (3 sets)	₦150k – ₦250k	₦250k – ₦450k
Décor, lighting, finishing touches	₦200k – ₦400k	₦400k – ₦800k
Smart lock & security	₦80k – ₦150k	₦100k – ₦200k
Estimated total	₦4.3M – ₦7.3M	₦7M – ₦12.4M

The three things guests judge

The mattress. It's the single most mentioned item in reviews, positive or negative. A ₦400k mattress in a ₦150k/night flat is the highest-ROI purchase in this entire business. Don't negotiate with yourself here.

Power backup. An inverter system isn't optional at shortlet price points — it's the product. Guests paying ₦150k a night will not accept "up NEPA" explanations. Size it to carry ACs, not just lights and TV, or the reviews will tell the story.

WiFi. Fast, with a backup provider or MiFi for failover. Remote workers are a huge guest segment, and one "WiFi was terrible" review costs you more than a year of dual subscriptions.

What to skip (or cheap out on)

Expensive art, designer throw pillows, and premium tableware — guests don't book or rebook for these. Buy durable and neutral: white towels (bleachable), dark sofas (stain-forgiving), and everything replaceable from one supplier. You will replace items regularly; build the supply chain before you need it.

One more: don't furnish for your taste. Furnish for photographs. The booking decision happens on a phone screen, and bright, clean, uncluttered photos outperform "tasteful" every time.

The pre-opening punch list

Before your first guest, run this list. Sleep one full night in the flat — you'll discover the mattress issue, the noisy AC, and the bathroom with no hot water at 6am. Run every appliance through a full cycle. Test the WiFi from the bedroom, not just the living room. Check water pressure at peak hours. Confirm the inverter carries the full load — ACs included — for at least six hours.

Then photograph everything, including the meter readings and the condition of every room. This is your baseline for damage claims and your defence against the guest who insists the stain was already there. The hosts who skip this step are the hosts writing angry reviews responses at midnight. Preparation is the whole business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to furnish a shortlet apartment in Lagos? Roughly ₦4–7M for a mainland 2-bed and ₦6–12M for Lekki/VI/Ikoyi standard, as of late 2026. Luxury Ikoyi units can exceed ₦15M.

What are the most important items when furnishing a shortlet? Mattress quality, inverter power backup, and fast WiFi with failover — in that order. These three drive reviews more than everything else combined.

Where can I buy furniture for shortlet in Lagos? Local manufacturers in Ladipo and Oshodi markets offer the best value for durable basics; importers and boutiques in Lekki/VI serve the premium tier. Build a relationship with one supplier for replacements.

How often do I need to replace shortlet furnishings? Plan a refresh cycle: linen and towels every 6–12 months, soft furnishings every 18–24 months, mattresses every 2–3 years. Budget ~10% of furnishing cost annually for replacements.

Should I hire an interior designer for my shortlet? For premium units, yes — photography-driven design pays for itself in rates. For standard units, a good eye and the checklist above will do. Either way, design for the camera, not the living room.