Renting furniture is not an option that many people think about. It's usually more economically feasible to buy your furniture, especially if you plan on living where you are for a while. However, if you move frequently and don't want the hassle of lugging your furniture around each time, renting it is a viable option.
Read on for some tips and important factors to take into consideration when you make the decision to rent furniture.
Choose a trustworthy, reputable company
When you rent furniture, you want to make sure that the company is honest and well-respected with an established presence in the furniture rental business.
Here's what you should keep an eye out for when you're searching for the rental company that best suits your needs:
- How long has the company been in business? An established company is more likely to know exactly what customers are looking for, and will provide the kind of service they need. They are less likely to take advantage of customers by scamming them or renting furniture of poor quality.
- What is the company's reputation? Do some research on each company to find out what other customers have to say. Browse online message boards and reviews to see what experiences past customers have had with the company and whether or not their needs were fulfilled.
- What is the customer service like? Does the company value its customers? Are they devoted to providing the best possible customer service and going the extra mile? These are all important questions to consider. Keep an eye out for any customer satisfaction guarantees offered by the company--these are likely indications that the company is committed to ensuring their customers receive only the best service.
Choosing the furniture that fits your style
Each rental company will have an array of furniture available to rent, including various styles and models. Taking the time to carefully survey your options will make your decision much easier.
- Decide what style of furniture you want. It helps to have a clear vision of what you want your apartment to look like before you set out to find furniture. Do you want luxury furniture or do you want to go for more casual decor? What colors are you looking for? Do you want your furniture to fit seamlessly with the rest of your apartment's design? The answers to all of these questions will help you figure out what kind of furniture you need for your apartment and where to look for it.
- Visit the showroom and check out the furniture on display. One of the best ways to vet a furniture rental company is by visiting their showroom and taking a look at the furniture they offer. This will give you a sense of the variety of furniture that they rent, as well as the condition of the items. If you notice a collection of ratty, worn-out furniture on display, you'll know to avoid renting from there.
What kind of furniture do you need? The kind of furniture you need to rent will depend on your situation and could also dictate where you end up renting from. For example, if you need to fill out your entire living room, you may want to choose a rental company that specializes in offering full furniture sets, often for discounted prices. However, if you only need one couch or a dining room table, you may have more freedom with your decision.
Have a furniture budget
Renting furniture can get expensive, especially if you are renting for a long period of time. Before you decide on renting, sit down and work out all of the specifics.
- Decide how long you'll need the furniture. Run the costs of renting for that time period, as opposed to buying a new or used piece. Your cost breakdown will help you make a decision on whether to rent or own.
- Compare prices of several rental companies. Compare the prices of at least three furniture rental companies before choosing one. Some rental places will offer high-end furniture and charge more money for it, while you can find comparable pieces for lower prices at discount venues.