{"id":155445,"date":"2023-07-20T13:41:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T19:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/?p=155445"},"modified":"2023-10-25T10:35:47","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T16:35:47","slug":"how-to-furnish-your-short-term-rental","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-furnish-your-short-term-rental","title":{"rendered":"The Overlooked Aspect of Short-Term Rentals: Furnishing\u2014Here&#8217;s What You Should Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n      <iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=BIGPOC2903287699\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe>\r\n  \n\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For some of us, the most fun part of the real estate journey is actually furnishing and decorating your&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/short-term-rental-strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">STR<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> properties (Okay, the revenue part is pretty great, too). But purchasing a house worth of furniture in a matter of days or weeks can be overwhelming for anyone.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There are certainly services you can employ to help you, including your property manager, but this task is also definitely something you can tackle yourself. Here\u2019s what to consider as you get started.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What\u2019s Your Vibe?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Always start with the mood you\u2019re trying to create. A lake house in New England or a cabin in the Smoky Mountains has a very different feel when it comes to furnishings than a condo in Fort Lauderdale or a single-family in Austin, Texas. The furniture you bring in should support and enhance your rental\u2019s \u201cbrand\u201d and help your home feel representative of its town\/city\/surroundings. If you\u2019re inheriting any furniture, you\u2019ll want to consider how those existing pieces support or distract from your vibe and whether you can work with them or need to start over.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You\u2019ll also want to consider your audience and their expectations. Are you trying to attract families? Are most of your guests on weekend getaways from the city? Or are you the luxe beachfront bungalow charging $750 a night? Or the cozy bargain one-bedroom cabin?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The answers to these questions will help you understand the expectations of your guests when they arrive. A family-friendly rental should ideally include a high chair, and a super-luxe beach bungalow should not be decorated with IKEA furniture.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"lg:block\" x-data=\"{ ad_block_block_64b9fe7e780b8: popAds(1) }\">\n      <template x-for=\"ad in ad_block_block_64b9fe7e780b8\">\n        <a\n          :href=\"ad.linkURL\"\n          class=\"no-underline text-black\"\n          x-on:click=\"adClicked('https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-furnish-your-short-term-rental', ad.sponsor, ad.title, ad.id, 'blockAdClicked', 'blockAd', '')\"\n          target=\"_blank\">\n          <div\n            class=\"py-4 border-b flex flex-col flex-nowrap text-sm border-t px-0 rounded-none\"\n            x-init=\"\n              analytics.track('blockAdLoaded', {\n                referrer: 'https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-furnish-your-short-term-rental',\n                sponsor: ad.sponsor,\n                ad_title: ad.title,\n                ad_page_location: ''\n              })\n            \"\n            x-intersect:enter.once=\"adViewed('https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-furnish-your-short-term-rental', ad.sponsor, ad.title, ad.id, 'blockAdViewed', 'blockAd', '')\">\n            <div><span class=\"text-xs text-slate-light block bg-slate-50 p-1 inline-block rounded-md\">Sponsored<\/span><\/div>\n            <div class=\"flex items-center text-sm space-x-4\">\n                <img :src=\"ad.imageURL\" :alt=\"ad.imageAlt\" class=\"h-10 w-10 object-cover rounded-full\">\n\n                <div clas=\"text-sm\">\n                    <span class=\"font-bold block\" x-text=\"ad.sponsor\"><\/span>\n                    <span class=\"text-slate\/80\" x-text=\"ad.description\"><\/span>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div>\n                <span class=\"font-bold\" x-text=\"ad.title\"><\/span>\n                <p class=\"mt-2 text-slate\/80\" x-text=\"ad.body\"><\/p>\n                <span class=\"mt-2 text-themeBlue block mt-2 underline\" x-text=\"ad.linkTitle\"><\/span>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/template>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What\u2019s Your Timeline?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Do you have a few weeks to get this place listed, or do you need to get it rented yesterday? The amount of time you can personally devote to the project, as well as how much time you have before you need it rented out, will have a lot of impact on your furnishing options.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If your plan is to make all the furnishing decisions from your laptop in a weekend, your shopping options are going to be fast-delivery places like Wayfair and Amazon or one-stop-shop local furniture stores (which can range in cost and quality) that can deliver quickly. If you have a little longer, the world is your oyster.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Durability: AKA the IKEA Question<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If the \u201cvibe\u201d of your place would work with IKEA furniture, should you do it? My advice is that with anything that will get regular use, such as couches, dressers, dining tables, and coffee tables, you\u2019re better off skipping IKEA and buying better-quality items elsewhere. (Getting something like a mirror at IKEA is probably fine.)&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">IKEA furniture tends to look shabby quickly and, well, break. Over the medium and long term, you will spend more money on replacements (and more time putting it all together) than you would if you had gone for something a little more well-made and spendy in the first place.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Where Should You Shop?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The best way to get high-quality furniture, often new or almost new, at reasonable prices, is through places like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and estate sales. (The good news is that guests at an STR would never expect to be the very first person to ever sit on your couch, so even in the most luxe environments, \u201clike new\u201d works perfectly.)&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But you can\u2019t do this kind of shopping in a day, and it\u2019s more opportunistic hunting in that you never know what you\u2019re actually going to find. But consider that for the price of an IKEA dresser, you can easily find a real-wood, dovetail-joined dresser that will look amazing and last for as long as you own the property. It\u2019s a no-brainer choice if you have the time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A few strategies to get the most out of online shopping:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Use quality brand names like \u201cPottery Barn,\u201d \u201cCrate and Barrel,\u201d \u201cRoom and Board,\u201d or \u201cRestoration Hardware\u201d in your search terms.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Send out a bunch of inquiries on Saturday morning and ask to come see the items that same afternoon. Make sure you have a vehicle that can transport your purchases, and then go from one site to the next, evaluating and hopefully buying.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Try this first: See what slots you can fill by shopping Marketplace, Craigslist, and estate sales, and then supplement with online retailers or local shops.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">How do You Manage it All?&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Go through each room (in your mind or in person), and list out what it needs. For example: \u201cBedroom 1: Queen bed, queen mattress, two bedside tables, rug, mirror, dresser, etc.\u201d and put them all into an Excel sheet. Add columns for measurements, approximate budget, and where you\u2019re going to look for them. Don\u2019t forget the&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/where-to-find-cheap-art-for-your-house\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">walls and art<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Once you\u2019ve ordered the item, put in the actual cost (including shipping) and the date it\u2019s scheduled to arrive to keep track of it all. Will you need someone to put furniture together when it arrives? Make sure that\u2019s in your plan somewhere, too.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n    \n  <div id=\"visibility-group-block_26e69df0f7ed051c0c6379d3063abca7\" class=\"visibility-group  hidden\">\n        \n\n<div id=\"hero-block_8a5031ec50c566648c2a09ac336ad09f\" class=\"first:mt-0 hero-block py-4  alignwide   has-background has-theme-gold-light-background-color has-text-color has-theme-gold-color\">\n    <div\n        class=\" flex flex-wrap lg:flex-nowrap max-w-screen-xl mx-auto px-4 relative lg:items-center \">\n\n        <div class=\"relative z-30 w-full \">\n            <main class=\"py-4\">\n                \n\n<p class=\"has-theme-gold-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:800\">Get the Best Loan Today<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"my-3 md:my-5 lg:my-8 has-slate-900-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Find trusted, <em><strong>investor-friendly<\/strong><\/em> lenders who specialize in your strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=button-custom-event-block_c0ba98d68aad7579a89ee360df35300f class='button-custom-event'>\n      <a\n    href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/business\/finder\/lenders\"\n        x-on:click=\"window.analytics.track('Blog Block | B2C Marketplace Lender Finder', {\n      referrer: 'https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-furnish-your-short-term-rental',\n    });\"\n    class=\" btn-shape inline-block no-underline has-background has-theme-gold-background-color has-text-color has-white-color\" target=\"_blank\">Find a Lender<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n            <\/main>\n        <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\" first:mt-0 relative h-full lg:flex lg:items-center\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-cover w-full relative z-20 my-0  rounded-md hidden lg:block\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Marketplace-Blog-Blocks-Lender-v3.png\" alt=\"investor friendly lender, investor friendly real estate loans\" title=\"\">\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n    \n  <div id=\"visibility-group-block_64dd31c79f00f\" class=\"visibility-group  \">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"hero-block_64dd2875dba9d\" class=\"first:mt-0 hero-block py-4    has-background has-slate-100-background-color has-text-color has-theme-slate-color\">\n    <div\n        class=\" flex flex-wrap lg:flex-nowrap max-w-screen-xl mx-auto px-4 relative lg:items-center \">\n\n        <div class=\"relative z-30 w-full \">\n            <main class=\"py-4\">\n                \n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading my-0 tracking-tight font-extrabold has-theme-slate-dark-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Join the community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"my-3 md:my-5 lg:my-8 has-theme-slate-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">Ready to succeed in real estate investing? Create a free BiggerPockets account to learn about investment strategies; ask questions and get answers from our community of +2 million members; connect with investor-friendly agents; and so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=button-custom-event-block_64dd2888dba9e class='button-custom-event'>\n      <a\n    href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/signup\"\n        x-on:click=\"window.analytics.track('Blog Block | Acquisition | Free Membership Signup', {\n      referrer: 'https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-furnish-your-short-term-rental',\n    });\"\n    class=\" btn-shape inline-block no-underline has-background has-theme-blue-background-color has-text-color has-white-color\" target=\"_blank\">Sign Up<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n            <\/main>\n        <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For some of us, the most fun part of the real estate journey is actually furnishing and decorating your&nbsp;STR properties (Okay, the revenue part is pretty great, too). But purchasing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":613680,"featured_media":155450,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7271,7119],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-155445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-short-term-rentals","category-biggerpockets-daily"],"acf":[],"comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/613680"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155445"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155445\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/155450"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}