Interior Design

Real Estate, Home and Garden Article
Los Cabos Magazine - Issue #12 - Spring 2007 - Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos, Mexico

Once the workers have left, and your Los Cabos dream home is finished, you have to furnish it. There are three schools of thought on the best method to accomplish this: Bring It Down, Buy It in Guadalajara or Buy It Locally. Following is information regarding all three options to help you decide which is the best choice for you.

Bring It Down
Non–Mexican citizens with an FM–3 or FM–2 visa have a one–time opportunity to bring one household’s worth of furniture and appliances across the border duty–free. If you have a visa and want to bring Aunt Agnes’ couch with you, this is your best bet.


You will need a printed copy of the complete inventory stamped at the Mexican consulate closest to your present home. If you’re moving from anywhere other than San Diego, you will need a mover to transport your goods to the border. Then, you will need a Mexican moving company to bring everything to Los Cabos. If you choose this option, first select your Mexican movers and follow their instructions carefully. The entire process is complex, and they already have experience with almost any situation.

Buy it in Guadalajara!
For years, it’s been standard practice for Baja residents––both Mexican and foreign––to take a trip to Guadalajara to select and purchase all their furnishings. Your local architect, builder or interior designer all have contacts on the mainland who will help you once you are there. Prices on the mainland are much lower than in Cabo, and custom orders are available. The furniture is generally created by skilled artisans with traditions stretching back many years. However, keep in mind that with this option, you will be receiving furniture from a distant supplier. If you have any problems, you may encounter more problems just trying to straighten things out.

Buy It Locally
An option that is becoming more popular all the time is to buy all your furniture in Los Cabos. In the past, this wasn’t an option, but now we have many vendors and interior design studios here. Conventional wisdom has been that these sources are pricey, but if you contract to furnish a whole home, the price drops substantially. In fact, in some cases the cost of furnishing a whole home or condo through a local designer might actually be less than going to the mainland once you factor in airfare and other travel costs. And here’s a plus: If the supplier sends the wrong size, it won’t be your problem. If a year from now your new dining table develops a crack, there will be someone locally who you can contact to correct the problem.

If you are shopping locally, don’t think you are limited to the inventory you see on the salesroom floor. Retail space is at a premium in Los Cabos, and most designers and retailers have large warehouses with additional choices. They also take special orders. If you don’t see what you want, ask. Soon you will have the perfect piece to complement you new home.––David Mandich




Copyright © 2008- Joseph A. Tyson - All Rights Reserved - www.loscabosmagazine.com
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Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico - Last Revision - January 11, 2007 - CGR