How it appears in listings
You will see it as gestoffeerd, "interieur: gestoffeerd" or, on English-language sites, "upholstered", a literal translation that confuses many readers. It has nothing to do with upholstered furniture: stoffering means the soft finishing of a room, such as carpet, curtains and wallpaper.
A gestoffeerd home usually includes:
- floor covering (laminate, carpet or a finished floor) in the living areas and bedrooms
- curtains, blinds or other window covering
- light fittings, or at least working ceiling points
- often a fitted kitchen with basic appliances, and a finished bathroom
What is not included is furniture: no bed, wardrobe, sofa, table or chairs. Ask the landlord what stays in the home before you sign, because "gestoffeerd" is a convention, not a legal standard.
What it means for you
- You need furniture from day one. Budget for a bed, a table and storage, or look for a gemeubileerd place if you stay less than a year.
- The rent is lower than furnished. On RentHunter, a gestoffeerd home asks a median of €23 per m² in the Netherlands, against €29 per m² for a furnished one.
- You keep the floors and curtains in good shape. They belong to the landlord and are checked when you leave, together with your borg.
Gestoffeerd, kaal or gemeubileerd
| Kaal | Gestoffeerd | Gemeubileerd | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floors | Often not | Yes | Yes |
| Curtains and lights | Often not | Yes | Yes |
| Furniture | No | No | Yes |
| Median asking rent, Netherlands | €1,075 | €1,785 | €2,150 |
The rent levels compare homes (apartments, houses and studios) listed on RentHunter between July and October 2026. Kaal homes look cheaper partly because they are more often social or older housing, so the fair comparison is gestoffeerd against gemeubileerd.
How common it is
Of the listings on RentHunter that state their interior, 39% are gestoffeerd, 47% gemeubileerd and 14% kaal. In Amsterdam the balance tips to furnished (60%), in Groningen to gestoffeerd (56%).
Frequently asked questions
Is gestoffeerd the same as unfurnished?
Almost. Gestoffeerd means unfurnished but finished: floors, curtains and lights are there. "Unfurnished" in English can also mean kaal, where you may have to lay your own floor, so always check the photos.
Does gestoffeerd include a fridge and a washing machine?
A fridge, hob and oven usually come with the kitchen. A washing machine is often not included. The listing or the inventory list (inventarislijst) tells you what stays.
Do I have to remove the floor when I leave a gestoffeerd home?
No. In a gestoffeerd home the floor belongs to the landlord and stays. In a kaal home, where you laid the floor yourself, you may have to remove it or agree a takeover with the next tenant.
