Furnishing a new home, condo, or apartment can be a costly endeavor. The expenditures on new furniture can add up quickly: couches, loveseats, easy chairs, dining room table, kitchen tables, coffee tables, side tables, lamps… the list can go on and on. In some cases, renting the furniture proves to be a better option than buying the furniture. Here are some guidelines to help you know when you should rent instead of purchase.
How long do you plan on living there? A good rule of thumb is the 2 year rule. If you plan on living in a house or apartment for 2 years or less, renting furniture is likely your best choice. Then you don’t have to worry about the costs of transporting the furniture when you move. If you’re going to live there for more than 2 years, it would probably be better to buy your furniture.
What is your budget? Those on a tighter budget will find that renting furniture is great way to outfit a place with furniture without spending much money up front. This is a better short-term solution (see the 2 year rule above), but it allows you to get a lot of furniture for a low initial outlay of cash. In particular, college students will find renting furniture a very attractive option.
Can you rent to buy? Another factor in determining the merits of renting furniture is whether or not you can rent the furniture with an option of buying it outright. This is similar to leasing a car. As you pay rental prices each month, or year, can some of that money be contributed to buying equity in the furniture? If this is an option available to you, this increases the validity of renting furniture.
Furniture rental is a great solution for some – the most important factors have very little to do with the furniture itself, but everything to do with your budget, your lifestyle, and your habitation goals and plans.
When Should You Rent Furniture?
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