Decorating Your Home

Everything you need to know about furnishing, personalising, and styling your new home — from curtains and wallpaper to flooring, lighting, and where to shop.

Quick Summary: Indonesia — and Jakarta in particular — offers expats an extraordinary range of home decorating options, from custom-made curtains and hand-carved furniture to vibrant traditional textiles and imported wallpaper. Labor costs are low, craftsmanship is high, and the variety of materials is exceptional. This guide covers every aspect of setting up and decorating your Indonesian home.

1. Getting Started: Allowances and Planning

Once you have chosen a house or apartment to live in during your stay in Indonesia, one of the first things you will want to do is furnish and personalise it. Personalising your home through furniture, upholstery, and soft furnishings can give even second-hand or company-provided pieces a completely fresh look.

Many expats receive a relocation or redecoration allowance from their sponsoring company. If furniture is already provided — or the family is shipping their own — this allowance is typically used to purchase curtains, carpets, rugs, and any reupholstery work. Before spending a single rupiah, it pays to:

• Walk through every room and note window sizes, wall conditions, and flooring type.
• Decide on a broad colour palette or decorating theme (tropical, minimalist, eclectic, traditional Indonesian, etc.).
• Research three to five interior decorating companies and get written quotes.
• Set a realistic budget that separates “essential” items from “nice-to-have” ones.

Tip: Many interior decorators in Indonesia offer free in-home consultations. Use these visits to gather multiple quotes and ideas before committing to any supplier.

2. Curtains for Your Tropical Home

Curtains are often the most prominent decorative feature in an Indonesian home. Most houses are designed with large windows to catch natural breezes, which means curtains have a big impact on the feel of a room. Rarely are curtains included with a rental property, so this is almost always a first purchase for new arrivals.

Choosing a Fabric

Indonesia produces a wide variety of quality fabrics used not only for the garment industry but also for the home furnishing market. Locally made fabrics are significantly more affordable than imported ones from Britain, Italy, or elsewhere — and labor costs are minimal, making up only a small fraction of the total bill.

When selecting curtain fabric, consider:

• Light control: Full blackout linings are ideal for bedrooms; sheer or voile panels work well in living rooms to diffuse harsh tropical light.
• Heat management: Heavier fabrics and thermal linings help reduce heat gain from direct sunlight.
• Ease of cleaning: Jakarta’s pollution levels mean curtains need to come down for dry cleaning or laundering more often than in most cities. Choose fabrics and hanging systems that make removal easy.
• Natural materials: Linen, cotton, and jute are widely available and suit tropical climates well. They also complement the natural textures popular in Indonesian décor.

Curtain Rods and Hanging Systems

You have a choice between wrought iron rods (heavier, more decorative) and plastic or aluminium imitations (lighter and more affordable). If you plan to ship curtains and rods back to your home country at the end of your posting, the lighter weight option is worth considering. Eyelet, tab-top, pencil pleat, and rod-pocket styles are all available from most suppliers.

Getting Curtains Made

If you opt for custom-made curtains, ask the interior decorator to visit your home, take precise measurements, and provide a written cost estimate. Most reputable companies provide this service free of charge in the hope of winning your business. Always show the decorator a photograph or sketch of what you want — do not assume that verbal descriptions will be enough to avoid misunderstandings.

Custom curtains typically take one to three weeks to complete, depending on complexity and the decorator’s workload. Tassels, tiebacks, fringing, and valances can all be added; natural materials such as coconut shell, jute, and seashell are widely available and give a distinctly tropical finish.

Tip: Ask for an extra half-metre of fabric when ordering, in case you need to patch or repair curtains later. Keep it stored away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

3. Wallpaper

Wallpaper is a growing trend in Indonesia, where most homes traditionally feature plain painted cement walls. For expats used to more decorated interiors, wallpaper is an effective way to introduce warmth, pattern, and texture without undertaking major renovations.

What Is Available

Brands from Britain, the United States, and Italy are all available. Some stores carry ready stock, while others work from sample books and place orders to order once a customer has selected a pattern. Minimum order quantities (usually per roll) apply if the paper needs to be imported.

Installation

It is unusual for homeowners to hang their own wallpaper in Indonesia. Professional installation is extremely affordable and is typically built into the per-roll price quoted by the store. Workers will remove old wallpaper at no extra charge in most cases — confirm this in advance as it affects the job timeline. Because not all paper is pre-pasted, professional installation also avoids the mess and difficulty of applying paste yourself.

Practical Advice

• Count rolls carefully. Before work starts, count how many rolls the installers bring. When the job is finished, count the used labels and leftover rolls to verify you are billed only for what was used.
• Keep a spare roll. If you plan to stay in the property for an extended period, keep at least one roll in reserve. Earthquakes and furniture movement can tear wallpaper from floor to ceiling.
• Choose washable types. Homes in Indonesia gather dust and grime quickly. Washable wallpaper allows you to wipe surfaces clean without damaging the paper.
• Install skirting boards first. Without skirting boards, the daily mopping of tiled floors will rapidly stain and damage the bottom edge of the wallpaper.
• Humidity and corners. High humidity can cause corners to peel. Negotiate a service agreement with your installer so they will return to re-glue any lifting sections.

4. Flooring

Most Indonesian homes — particularly in the mid-to-upper rental market favoured by expats — come with tiled floors. Ceramic or porcelain tile is the standard throughout living areas, bedrooms, and kitchens, as it is practical, easy to clean, and stays cool in tropical heat.

Rugs and Carpets

Wall-to-wall carpet is uncommon in Indonesia and is generally not recommended in a tropical climate, where humidity can encourage mould and mildew. Area rugs, however, are widely used to define spaces and add softness underfoot. You will find a broad selection of imported and locally made rugs — from simple woven cotton dhurries to hand-knotted wool rugs sourced from India or Iran — in major home furnishing stores and markets.

Vinyl and Timber Flooring

Some expats choose to lay vinyl plank flooring or engineered timber flooring in bedrooms for a warmer feel. These are available from specialist flooring stores in Jakarta and other major cities. Note that solid hardwood flooring is prone to warping in Indonesia’s high humidity; engineered boards (with a real-wood veneer over a stable core) cope significantly better. Always acclimatise boards for several days before installation.

Tip: If you are renting, check your lease agreement before making any permanent changes to flooring. Many landlords require written approval for modifications.

5. Lighting

Lighting is one of the most transformative — and most overlooked — elements of home decorating. Most Indonesian rental properties come with basic overhead fixtures that do little to create atmosphere. A few well-chosen lamps and fittings can completely change how a room feels.

What to Look For

• Floor and table lamps: Widely available at home furnishing stores, markets, and online. Locally made lamps using rattan, bamboo, woven grass, and natural fibres are both beautiful and well-suited to a tropical interior.
• Pendant lights: Custom or handcrafted pendant lights in natural materials are a popular choice among expats, and can be made to order through interior decorating stores.
• LED bulbs: Standard internationally and readily available across Indonesia. Opt for warm-white (2700–3000K) bulbs for living and sleeping areas, and cooler daylight bulbs for kitchens and work areas.
• Voltage: Indonesia uses 220V/50Hz electricity, the same standard as Europe and Australia. North American appliances (110V) will need a voltage converter.

Power Cuts and Surge Protection

Power fluctuations and outages do occur in Indonesia. It is advisable to use surge-protected power strips for valuable electronics and to check whether your property has a voltage stabiliser installed, particularly for air-conditioning units.

6. Sofas and Upholstered Furniture

An extremely wide range of sofa and furniture styles are available in Indonesia — from traditional hand-carved wooden frames with fabric cushions, to sleek Japanese-influenced minimalist pieces, to imported designer furniture from Italy, Britain, and the United States. Prices vary enormously.

Buying vs. Reupholstering

Many expats choose to ship their existing sofas and armchairs from their home country and have them reupholstered in Indonesia. Labor costs are very low, making this an excellent — and economical — way to update old pieces with fresh, high-quality fabric. If you think you might want a particular fabric from your home country, bring extra with you; just make sure you have enough.

If buying locally, note that sofas from small, informal workshops (known as ruko) are sometimes cheaply constructed — with reclaimed wood frames and springs made from strips of inner tube. Inspect the frame and ask about the construction before purchasing anything that seems unusually cheap.

Choosing an Upholstery Fabric

Getting the Fit Right

Ask your interior decorating store if you can sit on the sofa after it has been re-stuffed but before the fabric is applied. This lets you adjust the cushion density to your preference — firmer or softer — before the final upholstery is fitted. You can also commission two sets of removable covers from the same fabric so one can be washed while the other remains on the sofa.

7. Soft Furnishings

A wide variety of soft furnishings are available in Indonesia to add the final touches to your home: pillows, table runners, tablecloths, place mats, bed sheets, mosquito nets, mattress protectors, bedspreads, and bed ruffles. Many international linen brands are sold in department stores, alongside Indonesian-made alternatives at very competitive prices.

For a more traditional aesthetic, department stores such as Sarinah, Pasar Raya, and Alun Alun carry ready-made items in batik and other traditional woven fabrics. These make beautiful and practical home accessories — and wonderful keepsakes to bring home at the end of your posting.

Custom-Made Soft Furnishings

If you cannot find what you need ready-made, it is easy and affordable to have soft furnishings custom-made. Most interior decorators can produce custom bedspreads, duvets, comforters, and tablecloths to your exact specifications — especially useful for oversized beds or unusually shaped furniture. Tablecloths, sideboard runners, and place mats can even be colour-coordinated with your curtains or other decorating accents.

For smaller items such as throw cushions and pillow covers, visit one of Jakarta’s local fabric markets, pick out a selection of interesting textiles — Thai silk, Chinese silk, batik, or hand-woven local fabrics — and take them to a local tailor or seamstress. This is one of the most affordable ways to get unique, high-quality soft furnishings made.

8. Decorating with Indonesian Textiles

One of the most rewarding aspects of living in Indonesia is the opportunity to incorporate the country’s extraordinary textile heritage into your home. Indonesian fabrics range from the iconic batik prints of Java to the intricate hand-woven ikat of Nusa Tenggara, the elaborate weavings of Lampung, and the golden-threaded songket of Sumatra and Bali.

These textiles work beautifully in a home context:

• Drape a large ikat or batik panel over a carved wooden pole as a wall hanging.
• Frame an intricate piece with golden threads as a formal wall decoration (framing is very affordable in Indonesia).
• Use batik fabric as tablecloth runners, cushion covers, or curtain panels for a cohesive tropical aesthetic.
• Layer traditional weavings over plain upholstery as throw blankets.

Buying directly from regional markets — or from cooperatives that support local weavers — ensures authenticity and fair compensation for the artisans. Many expat communities organise shopping trips to textile markets as a group activity.

9. Outdoor and Garden Spaces

Many homes and villas in Indonesia come with garden areas, terraces, or covered outdoor living spaces. These areas offer significant opportunities for decorating and are heavily used given the warm climate.

Outdoor Furniture

Teak is the gold standard for outdoor furniture in Southeast Asia. It is naturally weather-resistant, requires minimal maintenance, and ages beautifully. Rattan and synthetic wicker are also popular alternatives and are widely available. Avoid untreated iron or steel furniture, which will rust quickly in Indonesia’s humid, salty-air coastal environments.

Garden Plants

Indonesia’s tropical climate means many lush garden plants — frangipani, heliconia, bougainvillea, and a huge variety of palms — will thrive with minimal effort. Garden centres, plant markets, and the many roadside plant sellers make it easy and affordable to create a verdant garden setting.

Shade and Privacy

Outdoor blinds, bamboo screens, and shade sails are all available and can dramatically improve the comfort and privacy of an outdoor space. Many interior decorating companies also offer outdoor awnings and pergola coverings.

10. Where to Shop in Indonesia

Jakarta and other major Indonesian cities have a wide range of shopping options for home furnishings and decorating supplies, from high-end import showrooms to sprawling local markets.

The many charity bazaars held by expat community organisations throughout the year are also a wonderful source of unique Indonesian soft furnishings and furniture — at excellent prices, for a good cause.

11. Practical Tips and Common Mistakes

Always Get a Written Quote

Verbal agreements can lead to disputes. Ask for itemised written quotes from any decorator or supplier, and confirm lead times and payment terms in writing before work begins.

Use Photos and Samples

Do not assume that a verbal description will be understood. Bring photographs, fabric swatches, or catalogue images to every meeting. This eliminates guesswork and reduces the chance of a disappointing result.

Account for Jakarta’s Pollution

Jakarta’s air quality means soft furnishings gather dust and grime far faster than in most cities. Factor this into your choices: washable fabrics, easily cleaned surfaces, and simple curtain hanging systems that allow for quick removal will save significant time and money.

Build in Extra Time

Custom work takes time — typically one to three weeks for curtains and two to four weeks for upholstered furniture. Place orders as soon as you know what you want, rather than waiting until your home feels empty and urgent.

Check Moisture Content of Wood

If you plan to ship carved wooden furniture back to your home country, ensure the timber has been kiln-dried to below 10% moisture content. Indonesian humidity means most traditional furniture holds significant water, which will cause cracking and splitting in drier climates.

Keep Spare Materials

Always keep a spare roll of wallpaper and a remnant of upholstery fabric. Small repairs can otherwise be impossible to match if the material goes out of stock.

Negotiate a Service Agreement

For larger jobs — particularly wallpaper installation — negotiate a service agreement that commits the installer to return and fix any peeling, lifting, or damage within a reasonable period after installation.

Making Your Indonesian House a Home

Whether you choose to work with a trained interior designer or prefer to source and style everything yourself, setting up a home in Indonesia can be a genuinely exciting experience. The country offers decorating options — in terms of both quality and affordability — that simply would not be accessible in most expats’ home countries. Custom furniture, locally sourced natural materials, extraordinary traditional textiles, and highly skilled artisans are all within reach.

Take your time, gather quotes, bring photographs of what you want, and enjoy the process. Your Indonesian home can be as individual and beautiful as anywhere you have ever lived — and the memories and objects you collect along the way will stay with you long after your posting ends.