How to Furnish a Two-Bedroom Apartment in Ruaka for Under KES 150,000
A practical, room-by-room guide to furnishing a two-bedroom apartment in Ruaka for between KES 110,000 and KES 150,000. Covers the master bedroom, second b
> TL;DR: A two-bedroom apartment in Ruaka can be comfortably furnished for between KES 110,000 and KES 150,000. Ruaka's location between Westlands and Kiambu Road gives residents access to both Ngong Road artisan workshops and Westlands showrooms. The key is sourcing bedroom furniture from Ngong Road workshops, the living room from mid-range retailers, and finishing touches from Maasai Market and online platforms like Jiji.
How to Furnish a Two-Bedroom Apartment in Ruaka for Under KES 150,000
Ruaka has become one of Nairobi's most sought-after residential areas for young professionals and growing families. Sitting at the junction of Limuru Road and the Northern Bypass, it offers relatively affordable rents compared to Westlands and Parklands while remaining close to major employment hubs in Westlands, Gigiri, and the CBD. The result is a large population of residents who want their homes to feel considered and comfortable without spending a fortune on furniture.
This guide is written specifically for Ruaka residents and anyone moving into the area. The shopping recommendations, price ranges, and design strategies are all calibrated for the typical two-bedroom apartment in Ruaka, which tends to run between 700 and 1,000 square feet with an open-plan living and dining area, two bedrooms of similar size, and one or two bathrooms.
Understanding the Ruaka Apartment Layout
Most two-bedroom apartments in Ruaka follow a similar layout. The living and dining area is open plan, typically 200 to 280 square feet. The master bedroom is slightly larger than the second bedroom, usually 130 to 160 square feet. Both bedrooms have built-in wardrobes in newer developments, which frees up a significant portion of your furniture budget. If your apartment has built-in wardrobes, you can redirect KES 20,000 to 30,000 toward better quality sofas or a mattress upgrade.
The ceilings in most Ruaka apartments are standard height at around 2.4 metres. This means tall furniture like bookcases and display units work well and help the space feel more substantial. The windows are generally generous, so light-coloured furniture and sheer curtains will make the most of the natural light without blocking it.
Your Budget Breakdown
| Area | Budget Range (KES) | Priority |
| Master bedroom | 40,000 to 55,000 | High |
| Second bedroom | 20,000 to 30,000 | Medium |
| Living room | 40,000 to 55,000 | High |
| Dining area | 12,000 to 18,000 | Medium |
| Finishing touches | 8,000 to 15,000 | Low |
| **Total** | **120,000 to 173,000** |
The Master Bedroom
Bed frame: A solid hardwood 5x6 or 6x6 bed frame from Ngong Road workshops costs between KES 15,000 and 25,000. Furniture Palace at The Hub Karen (a 15-minute drive from Ruaka) carries upholstered bed frames in the KES 35,000 to 65,000 range.
Mattress: A Simba Mattress pocket spring mattress in the 5x6 size costs between KES 25,000 and 40,000 at their Westlands showroom. Slumberland and Restonic are also reliable brands available at furniture shops along Ngong Road and Mombasa Road.
Bedside tables: Two matching bedside tables from Ngong Road workshops cost between KES 3,000 and 6,000 each.
Bedding: Woolworths at The Hub Karen carries quality duvet sets from KES 8,000 to 15,000. Bedding shops along Ngong Road and in Westlands carry decent quality sets from KES 3,500.
Master bedroom estimated total: KES 40,000 to 55,000
The Second Bedroom
For a guest room, a 4x6 bed frame (KES 10,000 to 15,000) and a foam mattress (KES 6,000 to 10,000) are sufficient. Add a small wardrobe if there are no built-ins (KES 10,000 to 14,000) and a bedside table (KES 2,500 to 4,000).
For a home office, a solid wood desk from Ngong Road workshops costs KES 8,000 to 14,000. A decent office chair from Westlands stationery shops or Jiji costs KES 5,000 to 12,000.
Second bedroom estimated total: KES 20,000 to 30,000
The Living Room
Sofa: Furniture Palace at The Hub Karen (KES 35,000 to 65,000), Mango Furniture on Valley Road (KES 28,000 to 50,000), or a custom piece from Ngong Road workshops (KES 20,000 to 35,000).
Coffee table: Ngong Road workshops (KES 6,000 to 12,000) or a glass-top table from Westlands furniture shops (KES 8,000 to 15,000).
TV unit: Wall-mounted from Ngong Road workshops (KES 8,000 to 14,000).
Rug: Maasai Market at Village Market (a 10-minute drive from Ruaka) has kilim and woven rugs from KES 4,000 to 12,000.
Living room estimated total: KES 40,000 to 55,000
The Dining Area
A solid wood four-seater dining table and chairs from Ngong Road workshops costs KES 14,000 to 20,000. Furniture Palace at The Hub Karen carries mid-range dining sets from KES 22,000 to 45,000.
Dining area estimated total: KES 12,000 to 18,000
Finishing Touches
Curtains: Biashara Street tailors in the CBD charge KES 3,000 to 6,000 per room including fabric and labour.
Lighting: A pendant light over the dining table (KES 3,000 to 6,000 from lighting shops in Westlands or Eastleigh) and a floor lamp (KES 2,500 to 5,000) transforms the evening ambiance significantly.
Plants: Ngong Road plant vendors sell indoor plants from KES 300 to 2,000. A snake plant, a pothos, and a peace lily are low-maintenance options that thrive in Nairobi apartments.
Finishing touches estimated total: KES 8,000 to 15,000
Shopping From Ruaka: Your Nearest Options
| Destination | Distance from Ruaka | Best For |
| Westlands (Odds and Ends, Inzu, Doğtaş) | 20 minutes | Premium and mid-range furniture |
| The Hub Karen (Furniture Palace, Woolworths) | 15 minutes | Mid-range furniture and bedding |
| Ngong Road workshops | 25 minutes | Custom and budget furniture |
| Village Market (Maasai Market) | 10 minutes | Rugs, decor, and wall art |
| Eastleigh | 30 minutes | Lighting and fabric |
| Gikomba | 35 minutes | Second-hand and budget finds |
The Phased Approach
Phase one covers the master bedroom and living room sofa (approximately KES 60,000 to 80,000). Phase two adds the dining set, second bedroom, and TV unit (approximately KES 35,000 to 50,000). Phase three covers finishing touches, curtains, lighting, and plants (approximately KES 15,000 to 25,000).
Let NyumbaAI Help You Plan Your Ruaka Apartment
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See our guide to furnishing a one-bedroom apartment in Nairobi for under KES 150,000 or our complete guide to the best furniture shops in Nairobi.