Should You Rent a Furnished or Unfurnished Property?

Out of all the renting decisions you’ll make, deciding whether you want to move into a furnished or unfurnished property will be right up there at the top of the list.

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Clearly, moving into a fully furnished home or a place with no furniture at all will definitely alter your plans somewhat. So, furnished or unfurnished? That is the question. While there is no right answer, there are several pros and cons to each. That’s why we’ve made this easy guide, to help you make the decision that is best for you.

Pros and cons of a furnished home

Pros of a furnished home

In short, moving into a home that is already furnished is a lot less of a hassle compared to moving into one with no furniture. It eliminates the days and weeks that you otherwise have to spend finding furniture for each room, as everything is already there. This is especially helpful if you’re moving from abroad, a different area or are a first time renter and don’t have any furniture of your own yet. It also works out to be cheaper too. There’s no need to spend thousands of pounds on furniture, which means you can save a lot of money!

Couple sitting in a sofa, moving, furnished, unfurnished

Cons of a furnished home

While moving into a furnished home looks to be the best option on paper- I mean, who doesn’t want to save money?- it can also make it hard for you to make your mark on the property. Landlords tend to want to appeal to a wide range of renters, meaning that they tend to stick with a neutral theme. In other words, there is always a possibility that the furnishings won’t fit with your style.

Of course, you can add a few bits and pieces, here and there. A few pictures on the walls, a coffee table or a snazzy rug. But you won’t have a blank canvas to work with, which can sometimes make you feel that the property is not really your home.

Pros and cons of an unfurnished home

Pros of an unfurnished home

Speaking of a blank canvas, if you move into an unfurnished place, that’s exactly what you’ll get. This gives you the opportunity to shape your new home exactly as you want to, from the bed to the sofa, you get to make all the calls. An unfurnished place tends to include appliances in the bathroom and kitchen, and on occasion, a wardrobe. Other than that, it’s up to you!

Unfurnished rentals are typically better suited to a renter who is looking to rent long term and really create a home for themselves.

Moving, furnished, unfurnished, white room, empty room

Cons of an unfurnished home

The main thing to keep in mind about renting an unfurnished home, is that furniture is expensive. On a basic level you’ll need to buy a bed, a sofa, dining table, chairs and storage. Extras include a coffee table, a TV and TV stand and bookshelves. And that’s just for a one-bedroom place. Multiply that by four or five and you could easily find yourself spending upwards of £5,000. Furnishing is a long-term commitment.

As you can see, there are pros and cons for both types of rental. You have to make the choice between spending a lot of money on furniture, or not being able to make your mark on a property you could be in for the long haul. Whatever you decide, why not head over to our website and start the search for your dream rental today.


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