Furnished Versus Unfurnished Apartments: The Pros and Cons

Slipping into a furnished apartment sounds easy-breezy. You can just unpack your bags and get on with your life.

On the other hand, unfurnished apartments are a blank canvas. You get to design the environment you want to live in.

As you can see, there are valid arguments for both options.

Let’s take a moment to dig a little deeper and weigh the pros and cons of renting a furnished versus an unfurnished apartment.

Moving is a big deal. Make an informed choice.

Furnished vs. Unfurnished Apartments: The Basics

First things first. Before we start talking about the pros and cons, we need to get a good idea of what we’re really comparing.

What’s included in furnished and unfurnished apartments?

Furnished Apartments

Furnished apartments come in a range of anything from bare-bones basic to fully decorated and stocked.

A basic furnished apartment will include:

• Couch
• Chairs
• Kitchen or dining room table and chairs
• Bed
• Nightstand
• Dresser
• Lighting

Mid-level furnished apartments usually include all of the above, plus:

• Small appliances
• Trash cans and wastebaskets
• Shower curtain
• Bathroom accessories

Fully furnished apartments come with all of the above, plus:

• Dishes
• Silverware
• Cookware
• Television
• Linens
• Towels
• Clocks

Upscale furnished apartments often include upgraded versions of most of the above, plus:

• Artwork
• Accessories
• CD player or stereo system
• Other decorative elements

Unfurnished Apartments

An unfurnished apartment isn’t just a shell.

There are some basic things you can expect to find in most unfurnished apartments:

• Large kitchen appliances (stove, oven, refrigerator)
• Built-in microwave
• Shower door or a shower curtain rod
• Window treatments or blinds
• Light fixtures ready with working bulbs

Some unfurnished apartments will include a washer and dryer. If not, many have washer dryer hookups or a laundry onsite.

Pros and Cons

You’re probably already forming some idea of the pros and cons of each of these options.

But wait.

There are more considerations to think about.

Both options will affect your move — and your home life — in different ways. It’s not time to make a decision just yet.

The Pros of Renting a Furnished Apartment

Renting a furnished apartment definitely saves you some hassle.

Here are some other perks:

• No cash outlay for furniture or electronics
• You don’t have to hire movers
• No back-breaking work to move furniture yourself
• It’s move-in ready
• It’s also move-out ready
• Professionally designed interior

The Pros of Renting an Unfurnished Apartment

You may think the furnished apartment is winning the pro-con battle, but unfurnished apartments have some big pros, too.

• You can design it to make it feel like home
• No worries about spills on the furniture
• No worries about breaking or scratching the electronics or dishes
• You know where your own stuff has been — and hasn’t
• Rent is lower for a comparable apartment
• Purchasing your own furniture costs less over time
• The decor reflects your own personality and interests
• Less chance of losing deposits
• Less stress if you have a dog or cat

The Cons of Renting a Furnished Apartment

There’s a lot to be said for a move-in ready apartment, but you need to look at the flip side too.

Here’s what you can expect.

• 15–20% higher rent
• Limited space for things you already own
• You may be stuck with decor you don’t like
• Your apartment will look just like the rest of the complex
• None of it is uniquely yours (and it’s used, if that bothers you)
• You can lose your deposit if you break or damage anything
• Furnished apartments are less likely to be pet-friendly

The Cons of Renting an Unfurnished Apartment

Aside from the lack of seemingly free furniture, an unfurnished apartment has a few cons, too:

• Paying for movers or doing the back-breaking work yourself
• Shelling out money for furniture you don’t already have
• Purchasing electronics like television and game systems
• Accessorizing and stocking the place on your own dime

Additionally, an unfurnished apartment can be more expensive in the short term if you’re starting from scratch with all-new furniture, cookware, and linens.

How to Choose Between a Furnished and Unfurnished Apartment

Grab your favorite note-taking device or a pad and pencil. You’re going to run through some short checklists.

Your answers will help you determine which apartment is best for you.

Finances

• Will you be staying in this apartment for more than 18 months? You may be able to finance furniture of your own over that length of time. Plus, there’s always delayed gratification, antique stores, and Craigslist.

• How expensive are your tastes? Is an upscale complex better able to cater to your decor desires than your wallet is?

• How much do you already own?

The Future 

Your future plans may influence this decision.

• Furnished apartments often offer short-term leases — as low as 30 days. If you don’t plan on sticking around, a furnished apartment might make sense.
• If you plan on staying a few years, the extra 15–20% in rent will add up to far more than you would have spent purchasing your own furniture.
• Are you planning a career change, life change, or extensive travel?
• Are you ready to settle down and start building a collection of treasured pieces?

Moving

The costs and efforts of moving also play a factor.

• Are there any logistical issues with physically moving in furniture? Are you capable of moving furniture?
• Can you afford to hire movers? Could friends or family help?
• Could you shop online and have furniture shipped? Do your local furniture stores deliver?

Comfort

There are two ways to look at comfort: what is familiar and what is easy.

• How comfortable are you with pre-owned things?
• How comfortable would you be relaxing with food or drink on a piece of furniture you don’t own but are responsible for?
• Would you feel more comfortable knowing you could pick up and leave without effort?
• Are you more comfortable with minimalist decor or a cozy jumble of your own things?

Time

Are you strapped for time or are you in a new city with no social life and little to do?

• Do you have time to shop for and furnish an apartment?
• Do you have time to plan and decorate?

Alternatives

If you need furniture, but not the extra monthly rent, there are alternatives.

• Would it make more sense to only rent furniture or electronics you don’t already own rather than renting a fully furnished apartment?
• Could you purchase super inexpensive furniture secondhand?
• Do any friends or family have unwanted furniture or appliances?
• Are there recycling or borrowing groups like Freecycle in your new neighborhood?

You’ve had a look at the details for each option. Hopefully, making a smarter choice is now easier.

If you are seriously considering moving into a furnished apartment, book a tour. Then play devil’s advocate and tour an unfurnished complex with a comparable floor plan, appliances, and fixtures.

Take a deep breath and envision a design plan for the unfurnished apartment.  Imagine how you would decorate it before making a decision.

Don’t only go through this list once. You might have more insights on the second or third scan.

You’re deciding where to live for the next few months or even years. Choose a place you’ll want to come home to!