When is Renting Furniture vs Buying the Best Option?

I am obsessed with decorating magazines. I could sit and look through them for hours, dreaming of living in the spaces the designers have created.

In my daydream, I am sitting on a plush sofa, shoes kicked off to feel the silky cushion of a high shag rug underfoot. A roaring fire is glowing in the fireplace. 

I take a sip of my Earl Grey from an exquisite teacup and admire the vibrant modern artwork over the hearth. I breathe a sigh of satisfaction, then gently place my teacup back on the sleek white coffee table.

Ahhhhhh… true bliss.

But have you ever gone back and looked at those magazines after they’re a few years old? It’s insane how fast the trends change!

Just like that, the designs that I was pining over, are no longer the love of my life. I’ve moved on to a new love. A love that I am sure will also fade.

And that’s how it goes in the world of home decor these days.

The trends burn bright but fade all too soon, then it’s on to the next beautiful, shiny thing.

How does anybody stay on top of the trends and get a look they will love for the long-haul anyway? The truth is, they are probably renting furniture vs buying.

Now listen, renting furniture is not always the right choice. If you’re trying to furnish a new home on the cheap, you might think renting is the way to go. But in that case, you are likely better off buying furniture secondhand or finding an inexpensive option at Ikea.

But if you have a little money to spend, and having on-trend furniture makes your eyes twinkle and the corners of your mouth turn upward, then renting furniture on subscription might be the perfect thing for you.

Is Renting Furniture Worth It? Well...Sometimes!

Renting furniture vs buying is not always the best route. For people who own a home and have a classic style, buying may be the better option.

Let’s say you purchased your kitchen table in 1989 when your kids were young. It has served you well, but with grandkids coming around now, you’d like to have something a little bigger.

In this situation, you have time to search out the perfect table. You may also have time to wait for it to go on sale and get a great deal. And given your history, there's a good chance you will have that table for the next few decades.

In this case, you're better off to buy. But there are many other cases when furniture rental is the perfect option.

Transitional/Temporary Home

There are a lot of situations when you might find yourself in a home that you know is only temporary.

Dominique Williams is a financial advisor in the Houston area and a recent empty nester. A few months ago, she and her husband decided that it was time to find a new home that fits their simpler lifestyle.

They put their house on the market, and before they could find a new one, they were under contract. Isn’t that the way it goes?

They didn’t want the pressure of picking a house simply because they needed a place to live. So they decided to rent an apartment for the next year. Dominique’s job is stressful enough without adding “find the perfect new home” to the list.

One thing she knows for sure though is the furniture in the old house is not going with them. It is time to start fresh.

With so many unknowns, Dominique decided to furnish the apartment with rental furniture. That way they can keep their options open for the new house.

Best of all, Dominique could still have high-quality furnishings even though the living situation was temporary.

Frequently on the Move

Over the past decade, people have become less tied down to a specific location. Remote work has become common-place, and let’s face it - job changes happen much more often these days.

Without being stuck in an office, people are able to explore new areas, live in a new city, and just be free. With this freedom comes a desire to be lighter, having less “stuff” to weigh us down.

The benefits of renting furniture are clear. You can rent an apartment as well as the furniture to go in it. Then in a year when you’re ready for the next adventure, you're done - send the furniture back.

Gone are the days of hiring movers to haul a house full of furniture to your next place. Gone are the days of selling the things you no longer need. And gone are the days of dumping cheap “disposable” furniture on the curb.

By renting furniture, you can move as often as you like. You’ll always stay up to date on the latest trends and always feel cozy and inspired by your surroundings.

Not Sure About Your Style?

Furniture rental is a great way to test a different look. One of the benefits of renting furniture is you can take some risks and try something new.

When buying furniture you might not choose a trendier style - no matter how much you love it. But with the stylish options available in subscription furniture, you don’t always have to choose the “safe” option.

If you get it home and decide you went a little overboard with the funky pieces, send them back. You can keep trying until you get it right.

The great thing about subscription furniture is that if you find a look that sings your anthem, you can buy it and make it yours. You only need to pay the retail price minus the rental payments you’ve already made - that’s it!

Need Furniture Fast?

Sometimes life throws you a curveball and you need to move fast, like when a relationship ends.

Often, when this happens you have to find a new home and completely start over. There’s no time to shop for a house full of furniture. You need it now!

This is one of those times that it makes perfect sense to rent furniture vs buying. You can pick out the pieces you need, then have them delivered - usually within a week. At that point, you’re ready to get on with the business of living.

When renting subscription furniture you’re not locked into a long-term commitment. You can rent furniture for a month, six months, or more. Whatever you need.

This will ease the burden of setting up a new household when it feels like your entire life is in an uproar. Because when that is going on, buying furniture is the last thing you want to think about.

In your own time, when you’re ready, you can make decisions about furniture. You can keep the pieces you’ve rented, or send them back. It’s that easy.

By saving some of the decisions for later, you’ve given yourself the time to get exactly what you want.

Home Staging

When you're selling a house, you need to have stylish furniture and accessories. This will mean a quicker sale at a higher price.

Whether you are staging your own home or you’re a professional, renting furniture is a great choice.

Since subscription furniture companies always keep the latest styles, you can get an up-to-date look without spending a fortune.

For a home stager, keeping a warehouse full of furniture that goes out of style is expensive. Not only do you have to pay rent on the storage space, but you also have to hire people to get the pieces where you want them.

Since the rental company will deliver and set up the furniture for you, you can keep more money in your pocket. You'll also deal with fewer logistical headaches.

Furniture Options

If you have found yourself in one of these situations, you need to check out Furniture Options. We can help you select the perfect furnishings for right now, just like we've done for thousands of customers before you.

Whether you are starting over and need a house full of furniture or only need a few pieces, we have what you need.

Check out our options online, or come into a showroom to select your favorite pieces. Then when you’re ready, we’ll deliver, assemble, and set up your furniture for you.

What could be easier?