Furnished apartments are apartments that come with basic furniture, appliances and some decor and are a great option for people who want a move-in ready place.
Starting to look for a new place to call home is an exciting and difficult task. There are so many things to take into consideration — things like location, apartment layout and if you want the place furnished or not.
You might be wondering what is a furnished apartment? How much do they cost? Do they really come with everything you need? As you’re pondering whether or not to rent a furnished apartment, here are some things to know before making your decision.
What is a furnished apartment?
Furnished apartments come ready with the basic and necessary furniture and equipment you might need to make a house a home. However, there are a couple of different types of furnished apartments to know about. These are:
- Turnkey housing: Turnkey housing is move-in ready. It requires minimal, if any, updates.
- Fully furnished: Fully furnished housing usually provides all of the furniture and appliances you’d need to make a home livable.
- Furnished: Furnished apartments provide the basic pieces of furniture and some additional items that are either decorative or practical.
- Semi-furnished: These types of apartments provide the most simple pieces of furniture and/or appliances. You’ll very likely need to supply more of your own furniture and appliances to make it a liveable space.
Because different categories don’t have exactly clear lines when it comes to which is which, it’s best to ask the landlord exactly what comes with the apartment before signing the lease.
What do you get in a furnished apartment?
While each apartment will vary slightly, there are the basics of what should come with any furnished apartment. Here are some of the items that you can expect in each room.
Living room
Whether you rent a studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment, there will be a space designated for the living room. In a furnished living room, you can expect to find some or all of the following pieces of furniture.
Fully furnished living room
A fully furnished living room should come with a couch, coffee table, end tables, some basic decor and maybe a few paintings. You may also find bookcases, entertainment centers or a desk.
Depending on how generous the landlord is or how much you’re paying, there might be a few extra touches like blankets, house plants or things that would make the space warmer and cozier, too.
Furnished living room
A furnished living room will come with the basics like a couch, coffee table, end tables and possibly some lamps.
Semi-furnished living room
A semi-furnished living room will come with a couple of chairs and possibly a small table.
Bathroom
No matter where you rent, there will be a shower, sink and toilet. But, you may get extra furnishings in a furnished bathroom if you go that route. Here’s what you’ll find in each:
Fully furnished bathroom
A fully furnished bathroom will almost always include a shower curtain, toothbrush holders, tissue covers, bath mats and a trash can.
Furnished bathroom
A furnished bathroom includes a shower curtain, a trash can and sometimes bath mats.
Semi-furnished bathroom
A semi-furnished apartment usually only includes a shower curtain.
Kitchen
We all gotta eat, right? Most apartments provide the bare minimum in a kitchen, but you may get extra perks in a furnished kitchen. Here’s what you can expect:
Fully furnished kitchen
Fully furnished kitchens come with a fridge, stove, microwave, toaster and dishwasher; however, they also often have other appliances such as coffee makers and blenders.
The kitchen might also come with dishes, pots and pans, silverware, towels, measuring cups and peelers. A full furnished kitchen apartment is a great option if you don’t own your own kitchen appliances.
Furnished kitchen
Furnished kitchen apartments will come with a fridge, stove and microwave but they don’t always include a dishwasher. You might also find some appliances listed above but it’s not always guaranteed.
Semi-furnished kitchen
Semi-furnished kitchens mostly just come with a fridge, stove and sometimes a microwave.
Bedroom
At the end of the day, you need a place to kick back and get some sleep. So, what can you expect in a furnished bedroom when it comes to furniture? Check it out.
Fully furnished bedroom
The bedroom of a fully furnished apartment usually comes with a bed, nightstands, lamps and a dresser. In a fully furnished apartment bedroom, you might also get things such as extra sheets, pillows and some decor on the walls.
Furnished bedroom
In a furnished bedroom, you’ll have a bed, nightstand and dresser. Some of the time they’ll come with lamps and extra sheets.
Semi-furnished bedroom
A bed and dresser will most likely go in a semi-furnished apartment. However, in some cases, there may not be a mattress or box springs — so you’ll need to bring those on your own.
Pros of renting a furnished apartment
Like anything, renting a furnished apartment has pros and cons. These are some things you should take the time to consider before renting one.
- You can save money on furniture: One of the most obvious pros to renting furnished places is you don’t have to spend the money on furniture of your own
- They’re good for short-term rentals: If you’re someone who doesn’t like to stay in one place for a long time, furnished apartments might be just for you. They make it easy when you just want to get up and go, as you don’t have to move any big furniture or find places to store your belongings.
- Easy to move: Not having to spend money on movers is another pro to renting a furnished apartment. Not having to move big items with you makes moving to and from locations a breeze.
- Save time: If you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to go shopping for furniture, then having a pre-furnished apartment is great for you. It takes all the fuss out of decorating and saves you time.
Cons of renting a furnished apartment
With all the pros of a furnished apartment, there are also some downsides to consider before making your final decision.
- Higher rent: Because the apartment comes furnished the monthly rent is often higher. If you’re looking at renting long-term, then renting an unfurnished place and investing in your own furniture might be the best idea for you.
- Damages: While no one wants to spill on their own couches, they especially don’t want to spill on couches in a furnished apartment. Spills or damages to the furniture could result in not getting your security deposit back.
- Not your taste: When you get a furnished place, what you get is what you get. If you’re someone who wants to make the space their own then starting with a blank apartment is something to consider instead of renting a place with someone else’s stylistic choices.
- Furniture quality: Furniture quality in some apartments may not feature the latest trends. Because other people have lived there before you, there is no guarantee that the furniture isn’t ripped, dirty or getting old. Talk to your landlord about the quality before renting.
How to find a furnished apartment
Renting is a hard task for everyone, especially when deciding to rent furnished or unfurnished. Once you fully understand what a furnished apartment is, then you’ll start to have a clearer picture of what you want. Make sure to take the time and do the research before renting a furnished apartment. Check out Rent.com for great furnished and unfurnished apartments.
Source: rent.com