How to Find Furniture You Can Carry From Rental to Rental

It's all about timeless design and durability.

When living in a rental home, there are certain considerations you need to make that you don't if you own a home. One such consideration is knowing that when you buy furniture it will likely be moved from home to home as you sign new leases for different properties. What you don't want is to unpack all of your furniture at your next rental home only to find it doesn't suit the space at all.

With every home being different, it can be hard to know what types of furniture you should and shouldn't be looking for. Some things you might want to consider are; selecting pieces that are easy to assemble, timeless designs that can fit in with any space, and high-quality designs that are durable and will last for years even when being moved around.

Below, we spoke to interior stylist and seasoned renter Loui Burke for his top tips for selecting furniture that you can carry from rental to rental. "I've moved bed frames, headboards, coffee tables, side tables, rugs, and lamps from rental to rental and they always look great," he shares with Bed Threads Journal. "If you buy right once, you don’t have to redo it any time soon. These pieces instantly make any space feel like home and boast a timeless quality."

How to pick timeless furniture for a rental

One thing with rental homes is they generally aren't forever homes, so you'll likely be moving around every few years. For this reason, opting for timeless furniture that will work in most interior spaces is the way to go if you don't want to keep buying furniture to suit your space over and over again.

Neutral colourways are always a good go-to for larger furniture pieces. Then go in and decorate with colourful bits of decor. This will help ensure that these pieces will suit any home they sit within.
Opt for natural materials as they are always the perfect go-to for anything and everything. They look timeless and high-end and can be very durable – think mango wood, rattan, and linen upholstery.
Where you can get items that come with storage. Apartments in particular always need more places to put things than the wardrobes that come with the place (that's even if they come with wardrobes!).
Furniture that's easy to take apart and put back together is always a win and will make your life much easier.

Mistakes to avoid when selecting furniture for a rental home

1. Purchasing poorly made pieces because they're cheaper

One of the most common mistakes renters make when purchasing furniture for their home is buying poorly made pieces that need replacing every couple of years. It's one mistake Loui made early on.

"I should have utilised Facebook Marketplace more and saved a little bit/waited to spend money on key pieces that added character and made my space feel my own."

2. Being impulsive

Buying furniture and decor without much thought because you want to quickly fill your home with things as soon as possible isn't the best idea. "Take your time and invest in pieces instead of looking for a cheap, quick fix you’ll replace in 12 months. Because you’ll get what you want and save money when you buy that thing you really love."

3. Sticking solely to trends

Trends can be fun and make your home beautiful, but they tend to be best kept to decor rather than larger furniture items if you're thinking about longevity. If you buy your furniture based on what is trending you might find that you get sick of it quickly, so opt for classic, timeless pieces that transcend trends.

4. Failing to consider the durability of the furniture

Furniture that is not durable can quickly become damaged or worn out. It's important to invest in furniture that is built to last, especially if you're going to be moving.

Where to find furniture for your rental home

If you're on the hunt for good-quality items that are reasonably priced, Loui recommends the below places:

"Facebook Marketplace for those bigger designer items – you can get a steal on some luxury pieces if you search regularly. Globe West Outlet is also a great spot too for a deal! Bed Threads has been my go-to for all my linens and now naturally has become a go-to spot to pick up an amazing headboard and side table!"