Should You Rent or Buy Furniture?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I rent or buy furniture?” or wondered about renting appliances vs. buying them, it’s important to consider your lifestyle, budget, and future plans. Whether you’re furnishing a new space, upgrading an old one, or just exploring your options, choosing the right path allows you to enjoy your home more fully.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the differences between renting vs. buying furniture and how rent-to-own might give you the best of both worlds.
Buying Furniture: The Path to Ownership
When you’re in it for the long haul, buying can be a smart move. If you’ve got a stable space and some savings to work with, owning your furniture or appliances outright can give you lasting value and peace of mind. The key benefits of buying include:
Benefits of Buying Furniture
- Owning your pieces outright: When you purchase furniture or buy appliances upfront, you’re investing in items that are yours to keep. This is ideal if you’re settling down or want to make lasting design choices.
- Saving money in the long run: Buying can often cost less over time. It’s a great way to avoid extra costs and still stay on budget.
- Making it yours: From painting your TV stand to replacing drawer pulls, full ownership means total creative freedom. You can customize, refinish, or repurpose any time you like.
- Ownership: Once you’ve paid for your furniture, the item is yours, and you can sell or move it as you wish.
However, buying requires a significant upfront investment, which can be difficult for those on a tight budget. Additionally, if you move or your needs change, you may end up with furniture that no longer fits your space or style.
When buying furniture makes sense: You’ve got some savings and a long-term plan, like a new home or a forever apartment. Buying might be your go-to.
Renting Furniture: Flexibility and Freedom
If you’re looking for convenience, freedom, and fewer upfront costs, renting might be the flexible solution that fits your life right now. This option is ideal for people in transitional life stages, such as moving, downsizing, or just furnishing a temporary space.
Benefits of Renting Furniture
- Keep your cash where you need it: One of the greatest benefits of renting is the low upfront cost. You get what you need now, with weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly rental payments instead of a big one-time expense.
- Flexibility: If your needs change or you move to a new space, you can easily swap or return your furniture without being stuck with something that doesn’t work anymore.
- No Commitment: Choosing to rent usually means you get the flexibility to return, swap, cancel, or upgrade items as your life changes.
Though renting offers these advantages, it can be more expensive over time if you continue with payments for several years. If you’re just looking for something temporary, renting is a great option. However, if you’re planning on keeping furniture long-term, it might not be as cost-effective as buying outright.
When renting furniture makes sense: You’re just getting started, staying somewhere short-term, or want to try out your style before committing. Renting can be the perfect solution.
Pros and Cons of Rent-to-Own Furniture: The Best of Both Worlds
One option that blends the best of both worlds is rent-to-own furniture. Rent-A-Center allows you to enjoy the benefits of renting while also building toward ownership. Here’s why it might be the smart middle ground.
Lower Upfront Costs
Renting-to-own requires only small weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments, making it easier to manage your budget. All you have to do is choose the payment option that works best for you and your household.
Don’t Have the Best Credit? No Problem
With rent-to-own furniture, you don’t need perfect credit to get started. Whether you have great credit, are building it, or starting fresh, renting-to-own gives you access to quality furniture without the stress of traditional credit requirements. It’s the perfect option for anyone looking to furnish their space quickly and efficiently.
Own It Your Way
Want to own your furniture faster? Rent-A-Center’s Same as Cash option lets you pay off your furniture in up to 6 months, giving you an easy, affordable path to ownership. Plus, if you decide to pay off your balance early, early purchase discounts help you save money while still enjoying your furniture now. It’s all about owning your own way on your own terms.
Flexibility for Life’s Changes
Life changes, and so do your furniture needs. With rent-to-own, you get flexibility. If you move, want to swap out furniture, or decide to upgrade to something that better fits your space, you have the option to return or exchange items within the first 6 months of your agreement. Rent-A-Center’s RAC Exchange program¹ allows you to update your furniture without penalty, making it easy to keep your home feeling fresh and comfortable, even as your needs evolve.
Support That Sticks with You
In addition to flexibility and ownership, rent-to-own furniture from Rent-A-Center includes free delivery and service for your items throughout the life of your rental agreement. If something breaks or needs a repair, we’ve got you covered. You don’t have to worry about surprise repair bills or hassle—just enjoy your furniture with peace of mind that you’re taken care of.
When renting-to-own makes sense: You want to buy furniture eventually, but you need a plan that fits your financial situation today.
So, Should You Rent or Buy Furniture?
The right choice between renting and buying furniture depends on where you are in life. Here are some scenarios to consider:
- If you’re ready for a long-term investment and can pay upfront, buying might be your best bet.
- If you need flexibility for a temporary living situation, renting may be the perfect fit.
- If you’re dreaming of owning beautiful furniture or home appliances but want to do it on your terms, rent-to-own offers the freedom, support, and time to make it happen.
You don’t need a huge budget or perfect credit to create a space you’re proud of. With Rent-A-Center, you’ve already got what it takes.
Rent-A-Center Makes Furnishing Easy, Affordable, and Yours
Imagine kicking back on the perfect couch, with your dream setup finally within reach—no pressure and no waiting around—all without using credit (this is not a credit transaction. Approval will require review of consumer reports). That’s what Rent-A-Center is all about.
We’d love to help you bring your home vision to life — your style, your pace, your way.
Stop by your local Rent-A-Center or explore furniture online and appliances that match your life right now—and grow with you tomorrow.
¹“RAC Exchange” program valid for agreements entered at select locations, is available to new and existing customers and applies to inventory obtainable by store location. Cash price of the item selected for exchange may not exceed approval amount, which is subject to validation and adjustment prior to exchange and may vary from original approval amount. Exchange requires execution of rental agreement for item selected for exchange, which must be completed within six (6) months following the first active rental date of item being returned for exchange. Agreement for item being returned for exchange must be in good standing (with all rental payments current) at the time of exchange and product must be in good condition. Rent paid for prior agreement will be applied to reduce the total cost to own for the replacement agreement but rent paid may not be applied in full to Same As Cash amount for replacement agreement. Any applicable Same As Cash period will apply to new agreement based on product selection and agreement term. The amount of rent paid from prior agreement eligible for application to Same As Cash amount for replacement agreement may vary from 40% to 66%, depending on your state of residence. Exchanges under program may not be combined with other discounts, offers or promotions. Participating locations only. Eligible items only. All items subject to availability and approval. See Store Manager for complete details.