Your guide to renting furniture for your home

You've found a perfect new home or temporary rental, and now it’s time to put your stamp on it. It can be an exciting and rewarding experience to choose furniture and accessories that will bring your vision to life and make a property truly your own. But buying furniture off the rack can leave a big dent in your wallet with high upfront costs, not to mention long delivery times. If you don't have the means to splurge on a special piece of furniture or the latest trendy styles, you may want to consider using a furniture rental service. First, you’ll need to know: Why furniture rental might be a good option for you What it means to rent furniture, and understanding the terms you're agreeing to  Renting can be a handy, cost-effective solution, but before you start picking your cabinets, dressers, and desks, let's dig into the details. Why rent furniture? Furniture hire can save money, particularly if you're renting for a short time. You can deck a home out with snazzy items quickly, and it's sustainable to boot. Companies like Feather have made going green a priority. If you want high-quality items that look the part, last many life cycles and reduce your environmental impact, then home furniture rental might be for you.  Try before you buy Not sure what furniture you need right now? Renting gives you the space to discover your tastes and figure out a style that fits you. Perhaps you covet on-trend designs, but don’t want to spend a fortune? Renting furniture can provide an economical way to keep up with the latest fashions. If you end up loving your choices, you can continue to lease them or buy them outright at places likeFernish and Oliver Space.  And it doesn't have to stop at a stylish new couch or bed rental. You can outfit a temporary home office, hire home accessories, electronics, lighting, housewares – the whole kit and caboodle. Some companies even rent furniture for events. If you need fixtures and fittings fast for a special occasion you're hosting, you can hire elegant furniture from somewhere like Yahire. What to look for in a furniture rental service Before you start picking furniture, it's crucial to do a little research to make sure you find areputable company. It’s also important to be clear on the best payment plans for your current financial situation and the risks involved in renting. Costs and commitments Costs can mount up rapidly. If you’re not financially secure, there’s a chance you may not be able to fulfill the rental contract terms. As well as accounting for the furniture costs,set a rental budget to include money for: Insurance Repayment on interest rates if applicable Damage and repair deposits Early cancellation fees Collection fees Delivery and assembly costs Triple check your finances and the small print to save yourself problems further down the line. Contract options  There can be various contract options when leasing furniture, starting from one month to over a year. With most, there’s a minimum rental fee you must pay per month. Some home furniture rentals charge a membership fee for long term leases which guarantees lower prices, assembly, free delivery and pick up.  You can usually renew an agreement at the end of your rental period, return the furniture or buy it. However, the lease terms may have exclusions or stipulations, so keep your eyes peeled when authorizing your initial contract.  If you’re trying out furniture before buying, or don't have the cash upfront, there are rent to own options. At the end of your term, you can buy current items or return them. With companies likeFat Llama, the rent already paid is taken off the final purchase price.  Ready-to-go packages Furniture rental services like Cort offer ready-made packages for those looking for a quick and easy rental process. You select the size of the property you want to be furnished, the length of the rental period and Viola! – you’re provided with a list of items. Standard packages include functional essentials to get you started. Premium packages go a step further with the basics plus detailed pieces and accessories. Getting all you need from a one-stop shop means you save time and cut back on potential delivery and assembly costs. Delivery, assembly, and pickup  Moving homes can be a long and stressful process and filling a house or apartment with brand new furnishings may take time and be an extra hassle you don’t need. One of the benefits of renting means you get your goods quickly and, in some cases, already assembled. It's more convenient, leaving time spare to relax, settle in and start living. There are generally two types of delivery service available. White-glove, which includes delivery, installation and assembly, or curbside, which does exactly as it says – delivers the furniture to your curb with potential assembly required.  As mentioned earlier, with long term contracts the delivery and setup tend to be included. Otherwise, the prices of delivery and assembly vary depending on the number of items in your order and the length of your rental term.  When you've finished your furniture hire lease, or you cancel the agreement early, make sure you factor in two weeks' notice for pickup timing.  Damaged or dirty furniture When you start your agreement with sparkling home furnishings it's easy to forget that the furniture might not look pristine in a year. You may be responsible for the condition of furniture when it’s damaged, dirty, or shows evidence of pets. Got a beloved dog, cat, or chinchilla? Take precautions, put a throw on a couch or bed to protect it.  While minor tears and spills might be okay, companies will charge for damages beyond normal wear and tear. For instance, stains, chipped wood, ripped upholstery or any other noticeable marks will be classed as damage. Prepare for repair fees to be added to your bill at the end of the lease.  As with car rental, it's a good idea to take photos of any pre-damage apparent on delivery, and make this known to the company so there is no dispute later on. Read the fine print and consider the risks Deciding on furniture is a big decision. As with most purchases, you need to be sure you’re entering into a contract with a reputable company. Protect yourself from the risk of debt by seeing furniture hire as you would leasing a home or car. Read the contract terms carefully, especially the fine print, taking notice of interest rates, fees for late payments or early agreement cancelation. You don't want to wind up with a beautifully furnished apartment, but financial worries or a bad credit score. When you’re selecting a furniture rental company, check out essential dos and don’ts by reading reviews on iqReviews. If you've had a good – or bad – experience, share it with others thinking about renting furniture. Or give rental businesses valuable feedback so they can improve their services.