Pros and Cons of Renting a Furnished Rental vs. an Unfurnished Rental
May 6, 2022
There are benefits to both furnished and unfurnished rentals. Furnished rentals usually target a specific audience. Furnished rentals offer the ability to up and go when you are ready to move on to the next city or town. Unfurnished rentals usually do not have a specific audience and can be decorated more to the renter’s liking and specifications. Unfurnished rentals are usually better options for families and couples that want to stay in an area for a longer amount of time.
Furnished rentals usually include:
Furnished rentals usually include, at the very least, the following furniture:
Couch, chair, coffee table, bookcase, lamps and maybe a desk
Bed, dresser, night table
Dining room table and chairs
Bathroom mats, shower curtain, rugs
Kitchen appliances and equipment
Washer and Dryer
In some cases, fully furnished can include extra linens, all utensils, pots, and pans, and anything you need to just move in and start living.
Pros of a Furnished Rental:
- Usually, fully furnished apartments are short-term rentals. This targets a specific audience like students, people who travel for business, younger professionals, etc.
- Fully furnished rentals are move-in ready. You do not have to worry about unpacking heavy furniture or belongings.
- If you are just starting and do not have a lot, a furnished apartment will allow you to save on furniture until you find what furniture you want to purchase.
- Moving somewhere short term for work or school, furnished rentals can save you moving costs for large pieces of furniture.
Cons of a Furnished Rental:
- Landlords can charge a higher rent and security deposit for a fully furnished apartment.
- If you already have furniture it can be costly to pay for storage.
- Greater damage to furnished items that are not your property is possible.
- The decor of a furnished rental is set and may not reflect your design tastes or style.
Pros of an Unfurnished Rental:
- Lower rent and security deposit
- Opportunity to stay longer
- Fewer visits from your landlord to check for damages. With a furnished rental, a landlord might do more frequent checks for damages
- You have your belongings and furniture that is your own style to decorate your rental the way you want too
- No storage fees because your furniture is at the rental with you instead of in storage
Cons of an Unfurnished Apartment:
- Moving big pieces of furniture in and out
- Upfront costs for furniture and decor
- Sometimes unfurnished means that there are no appliances, another cost to you, the renter
- Cost of moving in and out
Results:
Unfurnished rentals seem to be a better fit for families, especially with small children, couples, or individuals that are looking to be in a specific area for a longer amount of time. When you are looking at rentals, make sure you check what appliances the landlord supplies. You can slowly, over time, add furniture to your rental to save money. Local thrift stores, garage sales, or overstock furniture places are great for picking up small or larger pieces to make the space your own.
Furnished rentals are more geared for short-term stays. Students who are away at college can benefit from a furnished apartment especially if they go home between semesters. It allows them to move on faster and not add to their expenses of having to move furniture home every semester. Renting a furnished rental in an area closer to the amenities that you are looking for can be cheaper sometimes too.
Anyone moving to a new area with a new job could benefit from a furnished rental. It would allow them a fully functional place to stay while they search for longer-term accommodations. If they are only staying for a few months, furnished rentals allow them the ability to stay without moving all of their belongings with them just in case they decide not to stay longer in the area.
There are equally good and not so good reasons to rent a furnished or unfurnished rental. You have to weigh your situation to determine which option would be better to meet the needs of, and be more cost-effective for, you and your family. You also have to account for how long you plan to stay in a certain place and what amenities you want in your neighborhood.
If you are looking to visit short term or looking to rent long term, in the Orange County, Hudson Valley area, OC Homes can help. Whatever your needs, and whatever rental option you choose, OC Homes can help. If you have weighed the pros and cons of both options and are still trying to make that decision, OC Homes can help you navigate that as well. Call us today and let OC Homes, LLC help find the right rental for you.
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