When renting your first apartment, up-front costs, such as security deposits or first and last month’s rent, might leave little room for furniture shopping. That’s where semi-furnished or fully furnished apartments come in. Depending on where you live, you could score a great place that already comes equipped with everything you need. Unpack your personal belongings and move in! Here’s how to figure out what’s included and what’s not, and whether the rent justifies the value you’re getting.
What is a fully furnished apartment?
To promote rental units and attract good tenants in a competitive market, property managers and landlords offer fully furnished apartments that give renters a turnkey opportunity. A unit can include everything from living room sofas and rugs to bed sheets and curtains. It all depends on what your landlord wants to provide.
In general, fully furnished apartments feature basic furniture, appliances and equipment, plus many extras, such as housewares, linens, a television and anything else required for comfortable daily living — even dish soap. The only thing the tenant needs to bring is personal items.
Often, fully furnished apartments are by an interior designer, with artwork and other decorative items in place. These types of units are ideal for people seeking short-term or month-to-month leases who don’t want to invest in big furniture and appliances — maybe students or professionals who travel often.
What is a furnished apartment?
When you rent a furnished apartment, you can expect some necessities like a bed, a dining table and a sofa. You may also get a few other practical items, such as a toaster or coffeemaker. Sometimes, decorative accessories, such as mirrors and framed art, are also included. You can rent out these units on a short-term or long-term lease. This would work for all kinds of tenants.
If you rent a furnished apartment, you’ll likely need to bring your own bed sheets and towels. But you’ll have a set of dishes and silverware already in the kitchen.
What is a semi-furnished apartment?
Semi-furnished units feature a few basic pieces of large furniture, like a table and chairs, a sofa and often a bed and a dresser, plus major appliances like a refrigerator and stove. Sometimes, you might find a ceiling fan or a large wardrobe if there are few closets.
Renters need to supply the rest of the furnishings — including small appliances in the kitchen, dishware and all linens — to make the apartment comfortable, so you’ll need to set aside money to purchase household items before moving in. Keep in mind that semi-furnished apartments may have a mix of pieces that were either left behind by previous tenants or that the landlord moved from other units, so it probably isn’t furnished to your taste.
What’s usually included in semi-furnished, furnished and fully furnished apartments?
Because there are no set standards for what comes with rental units, some furnished apartments will have more things than others. Here’s a general idea of what to expect.
In the bedroom
Semi-furnished bedrooms usually include a bed, night table and somewhere to store clothes. Sometimes, there’s a bed frame but no mattress. If there’s no overhead light, there might be a lamp on the nightstand.
Furnished bedrooms will have those items, plus a desk, extra lamps and bed coverings. Fully furnished bedrooms are usually equipped with the basics, plus pillows, a duvet or quilt, bed sheets, an alarm clock, and decorative items like artwork and mirrors.
In the bathroom
All rental units will feature a toilet, sink and shower. In a semi-furnished apartment, you’ll also get a shower curtain. Furnished bathrooms include those basic items, plus a trash bin and a bathmat. Fully furnished units may also have soap dishes or dispensers, toothbrush holders, hand and bath towels and face cloths.
In the living room
In semi-furnished living rooms, you’ll usually find a small sofa, a couple of chairs and a side table. Furnished units feature a sofa, coffee table, end tables and table lamps. Fully furnished living rooms may also have a desk, an ottoman, rugs and bookshelves, plus electronics, such as a television or stereo system in an entertainment unit. You will also have artwork on the walls or decorative items on shelves.
In the kitchen
As with all apartments, semi-furnished kitchens will include a fridge and stove and sometimes, a dishwasher. Furnished kitchens may also have small appliances like a blender, a coffee machine and a toaster, plus a set of pots and pans and cooking utensils, along with a set of dishes with silverware and glassware.
In fully furnished apartments, the kitchen has everything you need to prepare, cook and enjoy food, including wine glasses, bakeware, measuring cups, dish towels and additional appliances, such as a food processor, an automatic espresso machine, an air fryer or a bread maker. Most furnished apartments will also include a dining area.
Ask a lot of questions about what’s included
Because different levels of ‘furnished’ can vary from city to city, be sure to ask the landlord exactly what comes with the rental unit before signing a lease agreement. The specifics of what’s included are in your lease, and you should always check that everything listed is in the unit before you move in.
Should you rent a furnished apartment?
While fully furnished apartments may cost more in monthly rent depending on where you live, you may save money by not having to purchase furniture, kitchen equipment and linens. That makes moving in and out simpler and more affordable, too, since you’re just bringing personal items.
And while landlords may charge you a higher security deposit for furnished units, you’re likely getting good value in return — a nice space to call home.
Source: apartmentguide.com