Nampally’s open‑air furniture market draws bargain hunters
Hyderabad: Nampally furniture market does not stay within the stores. It spreads along Nampally Station Road, Dargah Road and surrounding lanes, where large showrooms are located next to small shops and the rest of the trade is spread out in open space. Sofas, beds, office chairs, and cabinets are lined up on both sides, arranged for anyone to stop, check, and compare. Prices here drop to levels that most retail stores in the city will never reach. Traders estimate the market’s beginnings at close to a hundred years ago, and the structure still shows the long structure functioning as a continuous area, with old areas feeding new ones, where buyers come ready to spend time, look closely and bargain.
“This market itself is much older, in fact it has a history of over 100 years. Our smaller store opened in 1931, right next door, where we sell foldable products,” said Feroze, manager of Leepakshi Furniture, which has been operating since 1973. This store is one of the largest stores in the market selling designer furniture with customization options.
But the smaller stores are on the other side, next to the Intermediate Board office. They call it the old furniture market and here you will find four-seater dining tables priced at ₹5,000. If you bargain, the seller will lower it even more. That number says as much about this market as anything else, and Sundays change that scale. Furniture is moved from inside stores to sidewalks and roadsides. Buyers are passing by on both sides of the road, stopping, examining, bargaining, and prices are extremely low.
Even at larger stores like Leepakshi, Feroze points out, “As our prices are close to wholesale, people can expect a difference of around 30 percent compared to regular market prices.” His store also arranges porters and deliveries. Smaller stores also offer the same thing, as you can see plenty of carrier carts in the area so customers don’t have to worry about moving large items.
Right next to Leepakshi is a section focusing on office setups. Office chairs and tables line the front of these small stores. “We have been here since 2000 and focus solely on office furniture, chairs, tables and work arrangements,” said the director of Sri Laxmi Narayan Furniture.
Shreya Rao said that after moving to a new house, she came to the market and did not buy even a single item from anywhere else. “People usually go to places like these big supermarkets now, but things here are much more affordable and convenient.” Here he explained how search works. “If you take the time to look around, you can even find furniture that fits Pinterest-style aesthetics.” He listed his previous purchases. “I bought almost everything from here; a sofa set, beds, wardrobes and smaller items were around INR 50,000 to 60,000. And these weren’t even the cheapest options.”
Buyers returning to Nampally simultaneously talk about price and selection, but also talk about caution. Reviews and online threads repeat the same advice. Checking the product and negotiating is not the last step but part of the process. People who spend time here write about leaving and returning, comparing similar products in stores and adjusting their expectations based on what they see up close.
This time, Shreya returned to look for office furniture and said: “Ergonomic chairs outside are very expensive, so I hope to find one here for 5,000-8,000 Indian rupees.” Tejasvi, another buyer, focused on the range of finishes and styles. “You’ll find many different types of furniture here, including on-trend veneers, marble, ribbed wood, and even distressed and vintage styles. Some vendors also have modular pieces, and most are open to customization to your liking.”
