New country, new apartment hunting saga. I remember the madness I went through when I bought property in Budapest 13 years ago—and here we go again with the same circus in Madrid. While the process of buying a place here feels like Mission Impossible, the real shocker for me is the condition of the apartments.

Let’s talk about places you’d only wish to rent. Two years ago, I was looking for a small place in the city center (because, let’s be real, I’m not a “live in the middle of nowhere” kind of girl). My budget? €1000/month just for rent. Sounds reasonable, right? What I saw was beyond imagination—and not in a good way. Apartments that hadn’t seen a coat of paint in decades, broken furniture, or worse—pieces that looked like they’d been dragged out of a century-old horror film.

I will never forget one apartment in Chamberí. The living room featured a couch that looked like a dog had eaten half of it, and the other half was planning its escape. When I asked the agent if the owner could maybe remove it, the agent—oozing confidence like he owned the place—basically said: “Absolutely not.” Like, sir, that couch should be in a museum of bad decisions.

After weeks of apartment horror stories, I needed therapy. Art therapy. That’s when I started visiting every concept and home decor store in Madrid I could find. And you know what? Despite the apartment drama, this city is a goldmine for unique decor, art, and furniture. I can’t say the same for Budapest—when I was furnishing my apartment there, I had to make do with IKEA, some paint, new knobs, and a prayer.

But here in Madrid? The options are endless. You can find incredible pieces in second-hand stores, local boutiques, or even at open-door auctions if you’re into refurbishing. Some of my favorites? Here’s what I found:

• La Recova and Reno in Lavapiés (Rastro area): Heaven for mid-century and Scandinavian furniture lovers.

La Recova

Reno

• LA Studio: If you’re into Art Deco like me, this place is wild. From the 1920s to the 1970s—glam, geometry, and pure gorgeousness.

• El Moderno Concept Store: Saved my sanity. I bought a Frida-style flower pot here to bring some soul into a soulless rental.

• Ofelia Home & Decor: The queen of kitchen ceramics. Rumor has it, even Tilda Swinton is a fan. The way they set tables? Pinterest could never.

• La Fiambrera Art Gallery: My go-to for funky prints and illustrations.

Jorge Arévalo

• Origen (Chamberí): Where I first discovered Flavio, an artist who captured the Spanish spirit perfectly with a painting of a señora whose tetas were covered by two crabs. I mean… iconic.

These are just a taste of what’s coming in my upcoming guide, The Spoiled Queen’s Guide to Madrid: Fashion, Art & Design. When you’re obsessed with something like I am, you start finding these places without even looking—they just reveal themselves.

Also, sidenote: I’m a huge Almodóvar fan, and I’ve always been obsessed with the interiors in his films. That mix of color, bold personality, and unapologetic style is exactly what I think Spanish interiors should look like. Sadly, most flats don’t live up to the fantasy—but thankfully, the stores exist to help you fake it ’til you make it.

So, tell me what’s your take on all this?

Have you explored Madrid’s furniture and decor scene? Did it surprise you too?