As a homeowner, you may find yourself in a position to rent out your residence. Maybe the kids are grown and have gone to uni or moved out and started families of their own. Now that’s it’s just you, the space is too much, and you’d like to move into a smaller place. Renting out your home for extra income seems like a reasonable idea in these circumstances.
Maybe you’re in the opposite situation. Your family has expanded, so you’re buying or renting a bigger place, so you’ve chosen to lease your current residence. It might be a holiday home that you rent out most of the year when you’re not using it for your own downtime. Or you might be selling the property and you need to stage it as a way of enticing buyers.
In such situations, it makes more sense to rent furnishings rather than committing to permanent pieces that your renter or buyer might dislike. If you’re planning to rent out the house for a short period, it may make sense to rent the furniture too, so that you can change it if you need to. So how do you decide?
8 Tips For Renting Furniture
Furnish for The Season
This is especially true of holiday rentals that can be refurbished to appeal to different target renters, or to match the various seasonal weather conditions. For high-end rentals, you can even select your furniture based on whatever is in vogue at the time and switch accordingly.
Think About The Target
Are you hoping to attract an unmarried executive, a young family, or an elderly couple? Put yourself into their minds and imagine the kind furnishings they would enjoy. The executive might like a minimalist industrial look, while the young mother will go for something more cosy and homely. Elderly renters may enjoy a retro look from their ‘good old days.’
Function Matters
Staging isn’t just about furniture. Electronics and home utilities are included as well, so paint yourself a picture of the type of appliances your customer might need. A bachelor probably wants a huge flat screen and a microwave. Parents of toddlers need a dishwasher and a washing machine. Grandparents may be more interested in a portable heater or furnace.
Choose Safe Colours
Your favourite colour might be aquamarine, but you have no way of knowing whether it would appeal to your potential tenants. It’s best to furnish your house in neutrals. If you’re worried this will make the home dull and unappealing, use portable items to add a splash of colour. Rugs, throw pillows, and lampshades are easily replaced if your tenant objects.
Create A Theme
Walking into a showroom and picking out random items can be overwhelming, and the result can be eclectic. If you’re unsure of where to start, pick a style or pattern. It could be a specific era like the sixties or a regional theme like beachside or a tropical island. Select furnishings in line with that, to give the house a sense of cohesion and conscious intent.
Dwell on Low Maintenance
The people who will use your rental items may not be the most conscientious, so it helps to keep that in mind. Choose the type of items that are easy to clean, and that won’t show much wear and tear. They need to be durable so that they won’t easily be damaged and they won’t show dirt. For example, genuine dark leather is better than pastel fabrics or lace finishes.
Trust The Professionals
Everyone has their own style and taste, and it’s largely subjective. However, interior decorators have an objective eye, and they’re good at identifying styles and patterns that will appeal to a wider swathe of potential customers. Put your décor plans in their hands and let them guide you on what you should buy. It’s faster, easier, and probably better for everyone.
Check The Fine Print
As you select your rental items, read the agreement carefully. What are the terms in case you need to lease them longer than planned? Is there a surcharge in case of damage? Will the rental company replace any items that get spoiled? Is there a policy that lets you buy the items if your customers like them? Cover all your bases and don’t sign anything that you’re not comfortable honouring.