Are Furnished Apartments Worth It? The Pros and Cons

If you’re currently in the market for a new rental, you may be deciding between a furnished or unfurnished apartment. Furnished apartments can be a great option for renters, especially when renting short-term. Furnished apartments come equipped with basic furniture needs including kitchen items and other household necessities. To determine if this type of rental is right for you, consider the following pros and cons of renting a furnished apartment.

The pros of furnished apartments

The definition of a furnished apartment varies, with some units containing fully furnished rooms, while others have only the basics most people need, such as a bed, dresser, couch, and tables. Some of the key benefits of renting a furnished apartment include:

1. Time savings: Renting a furnished apartment saves you valuable time moving, as you only need to bring your personal belongings. You also won’t need to spend time measuring furniture to make sure it all fits into your new space.
2. Moving cost savings: Since you’re not bringing your own furniture, you may be able to hire a smaller truck or even pack your belongings in your own vehicle. You can move independently instead of hiring professionals.
3. Short-term affordability: If you don’t have your own furniture, renting a furnished apartment can be the most budget-friendly solution, as you won’t need to factor furniture costs into your budget.
4. Practicality: Furnished apartments may be more practical because you can move in quickly, knowing your new place already has everything you need.
5. Freedom: When you choose furnished apartments, you can make big moves without lugging a lot of heavy furniture with you. This can be very freeing when you’re finding your feet.

The cons of furnished apartments

1. Your rent and security deposit may be higher: Security deposit and rent will often be higher for furnished apartments as there is additional upkeep and maintenance needed to keep the furnishings in quality condition.
2. More liability: Since you are essentially renting the furniture as well as the apartment, you’ll be liable for any damage that occurs during your lease. This can include rips and stains to upholstery, scratches on wood furniture, and any breakage of dishes or glassware that occurs.
3. Lack of personalization: Since you can’t choose the furniture that comes with your furnished apartment, you won’t have as many options to personalize your space. Whatever colors or patterns are present will have to work for the duration of your stay. While you can’t make any major changes to the furniture, you can add personal touches by hanging artwork and purchasing your own bedding to make your space feel more like home.
4. Fewer inventory: Furnished apartments are not as common as unfurnished apartments which means you will have less inventory to browse during your apartment search. If you are specifically looking for a furnished apartment you’ll want to be sure to set your search filters to only include these types of rentals as to not set your sights on an apartment that doesn’t fit your needs. Also, lower inventory can contribute to the increased cost of rent for furnished apartments vs unfurnished.
5. Varying definitions of furnished: There is no standard for what a furnished apartment can include. Some apartments may be fully equipped with everything a renter should need to live comfortably including towels, bedding, and dishes, while others may only include the furniture staples of a bed, dresser, table, and couch. To ensure that you find an apartment that fits all of your furniture needs you’ll want to read each listing carefully to find out just what is included and what you’ll need to bring with you.

Benefits of renting an unfurnished apartment

Unlike furnished apartments, unfurnished apartments don’t have any furniture in them. These apartments also have their perks, including:

• Easier personalization: Unfurnished apartments are blank canvases with little to nothing in them. When you furnish the space with your own pieces, it will reflect your personal style.
• Space for everything you have: Since unfurnished apartments are empty, you won’t have to worry about storage for any furniture you already own.
• More choices: There are always more unfurnished apartments to choose from. Opting for an unfurnished place can help you find a great rental in your preferred location.
• Rental savings: The rent and security deposits for unfurnished apartments are often lower than comparable furnished apartments.
• Greater chance of getting your security deposit back: Since an unfurnished apartment is empty, there are fewer items for you to damage, giving you a greater chance of getting your security deposit back.
• More relaxed lifestyle: When you have your own furniture, you can feel a bit more relaxed. Knowing you can’t damage someone else’s property and that you’re surrounded by pieces you love can be ideal for your peace of mind.
• An investment in your future: While you’ll need to spend money buying furniture for an unfurnished apartment, you can take it with you when you go. Unless you plan on renting forever, you’ll have to buy furniture at some point, so why not now?

Is a furnished or unfurnished apartment better for a short-term rental?

Furnished apartments are usually a better option for short-term renting. These units usually cater to students and business professionals who don’t stay in one place for very long. Leases of less than a year are common for furnished apartments, while you’ll usually need to rent an unfurnished apartment for at least a year. If you don’t plan on staying long, you probably also don’t want the hassle of moving in a lot of stuff, only to move it all out again shortly thereafter.

Moving can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be if you know what you want. Think carefully about the benefits, your rental plans, and your budget to decide whether a furnished or unfurnished apartment suits you best right now. While furnished apartments are rarer, Zumper’s amenities filter helps you easily locate these units in your preferred area.