How Much Does Subscription Furniture Cost?

Subscription furniture is not right for everyone. If you’re looking for a way to get furniture on the cheap, you will not find the answer here.

But, if you want access to beautiful high-end furnishings (without being stuck with them for the next 20 years,) then you’re on the right track.

But How Much Does Subscription Furniture Cost?

There are quite a few things that go into determining the cost of subscription furniture. Of course, the retail price of the piece is going to be the main factor. But you also need to consider how long you want to keep it.

These are the main ingredients to determining the cost, but there are other variables. Depending on which subscription company you choose, there will be other fees to consider.

At a minimum, you will pay around $50. But the typical customer will pay more like $300-$500 per month to rent several key pieces of furniture on subscription.

Some offer memberships that will “buy down” the monthly cost but lock you into a longer commitment. And most have a minimum order, although the minimums vary.

Extra costs to consider are going to be:

• delivery fees
• swap-out fees (if you want to try something different)
• pick-up fees

But you'll also want to be aware of other costs, like

• cancelation
• damages
• Buy-out

We’ll dive into each of these in a bit more detail, but let’s start with the basics.

What is the monthly payment?

Your monthly payment can vary wildly based on two major criteria: retail price and subscription length.

Let's look at a basic sofa that retails for around $750. If you think you’ll keep it for at least 12 months, you will pay around $30 a month.

You don't have to keep it that long though. You could choose a term as short as 2-3 months. But in that case, the same sofa will be more like $80 per month.

Since most furniture subscription services offer a wide variety of furniture, you are not limited to "plain Jane" furniture. High-end options are also available. A sofa with a retail cost of over $3,000 could run you more like $140-$375 per month depending on your lease term.

Most subscription furniture companies require a minimum order of $29-$99 per month. That amount will vary though depending on who you’re working with and what plan you choose.

You may also need to consider membership fees depending on which company and plan you choose. Membership fees will add to your cost each month but might be offset by the discounts you receive.

Delivery and pick-up are free most of the time but could be as much as $99 in some cases. Generally, if delivery fees come up, it is on the shorter-term rentals. That isn't universal though, so be sure to ask about the delivery fees.

What if I don’t like the furniture?

This is hands-down THE best part about renting furniture instead of buying it. I mean, it is SO HARD to picture what your furniture will look like once you get it into your space.

Did you get the measurements right? Do the colors go with what you already have? Or if you’re anything like me, did you get excited by something quirky, then when it gets there you wonder “what was I thinking?” No? Just me? Cool.

If you have subscription furniture, swap-outs are totally fine - even encouraged! You can switch to something new at any time if you decide you don’t like it anymore, or if you’re just ready for a change.

If you're still in the honeymoon phase, as in the first few days, swap-outs are usually FREE! But even a few months down the road when you change your mind, you can send it back and get something new for around $99-$149.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Life happens, right? Just when you think you have everything figured out, the universe throws you for a loop.

Job transfer, family illness, your boyfriend of seven years finally pops the question. So many things could take your life (and your living situation) in a completely different direction.

Subscription furniture companies understand this. That's why they'll work with you when the unexpected happens.

But be sure to clarify the cancelation policy with whichever service you choose. Even though none of them will hold you to the entire lease, each handles cancelation in a different way.

What about damages? I have pets

Kids, pets, clumsy friends - all are welcome. Subscription furniture is not meant to be in a gallery. Use it, live in it, eat a sandwich while sitting on it. It's all good!

Subscription companies expect normal wear and tear. And because you are getting high-quality furniture, it’s okay for Fluffy to sit next to you on the sofa. Heck, do a finger-painting project at the dining room table - you're fine.

The furniture you are getting can stand up to real life. Plus, the pros at the subscription company are experts at cleaning and repairs. So those little mishaps are no big deal.

That said, if your roommate turns your living room into “Studio 54” while you’re out of town for the weekend - and the coffee table ends up in hundreds of tiny pieces - you’re gonna have to pay for that.

When damages go beyond normal wear and tear, you will pay for those repairs. But the good news is that you will NEVER pay more than the retail price of the furniture. In a worst-case scenario *cough, Studio 54, cough* you’ll need to do a buy-out.

How Does Buy-Out Work?

Stop sweating! When you decide to buy your subscription furniture, it is NOT like the rent-to-own horror stories you’ve heard.

As I’m sure you are aware, when you buy furniture through a rent-to-own company, you are going to end up paying about three times the retail price. That is not the case with subscription furniture.

If for ANY reason you decide to buy the furniture you had on subscription, you will get a fair deal. Buy-out is easy. You will only pay the retail price of the furniture, minus the payments you've already made.

Does Subscription Furniture Sound Right for You?

Subscription furniture is the newest furniture rental method, and there is a lot to learn about this type of temporary furniture acquisition before most people feel informed when choosing a subscription program.

We've done the legwork for you and release new articles all about making you an informed furniture renter. Visit our blog to learn more about subscription furniture, the pros and cons of renting furniture and much, much more!