Chapter 28: Home and Furniture Vocabulary

Introduction: Je Huis (Your House)

Being able to describe your home (het huis) and the things inside it is important for everyday conversation, giving directions within a house, or even when looking for accommodation. This chapter covers basic Dutch vocabulary for rooms and common furniture.

Rooms in the House (Kamers in Huis)

Here are some common words for different types of residences and the rooms within them:

het huis = the house
de woning = the dwelling / residence (more formal)
het appartement = the apartment / flat
de kamer = the room
de woonkamer = the living room (literally "living room")
de eetkamer = the dining room (literally "eating room")
de slaapkamer = the bedroom (literally "sleeping room")
de keuken = the kitchen
de badkamer = the bathroom
het toilet / de wc (pronounced /ʋeːˈseː/) = the toilet / restroom
de hal / de gang = the hall / corridor
de zolder = the attic
de kelder = the basement / cellar
de studeerkamer = the study / home office

Outside the House

de tuin = the garden / yard
het balkon = the balcony
de deur = the door
het raam (plural: de ramen) = the window

Basic Furniture (Meubels)

These are some essential furniture items:

de tafel = the table
de eettafel = the dining table
de salontafel = the coffee table
de stoel = the chair
de bank = the sofa / couch (Note: also means "bank" as in financial institution)
het bed = the bed
de kast = the cupboard / closet / cabinet
de boekenkast = the bookcase
de kledingkast = the wardrobe
de lamp = the lamp
de spiegel = the mirror
het tapijt / het vloerkleed = the carpet / rug
het gordijn (plural: de gordijnen) = the curtain(s)

Using the Vocabulary in Sentences

Remember to use the correct article (de or het)!

Ik woon in een mooi appartement met een balkon. (I live in a nice apartment with a balcony.)
De grote tafel staat in de eetkamer. (The big table is in the dining room.)
Waar is het toilet, alstublieft? (Where is the toilet, please?)
In de slaapkamer staat een bed en een kledingkast. (In the bedroom, there is a bed and a wardrobe.)
Wij hebben geen tuin, maar wel een balkon. (We don't have a garden, but we do have a balcony.)
Zet de lamp naast de bank. (Put the lamp next to the sofa.)
De keuken is klein, maar modern. (The kitchen is small but modern.)

Memorize the names of rooms and basic furniture, paying close attention to de and het. You can combine this vocabulary with adjectives (like colours) and prepositions (like in, op, naast) to describe homes and their contents.