Where to get STR Furnishing

Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions

Where to get STR Furnishing

Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes

Those that are furnishing STRs, where do you get your furniture? ie mattress/frame, dresser, nightstand, etc... I'm considering IKEA and will have to wait until they open back up.

Also on the subject, what about sheets and towels, etc... (I noticed another post saying Costco had a good deal on towels)

Thanks

1 Reply

190 views

Most Popular Reply

Melissa Bovee

Investor · CA: Lake Tahoe Berkeley, San Diego; Boise ID; Las Vegas NV · Member since 2019 · 88 posts · 74 votes

I just finished furnishing my first vacation rental. I purchased it furnished, but I swapped out some stuff, added beds, and did a remodel to add a bedroom. I mostly used wayfair and then went to a local consignment furniture store (by appointment only right now) for the final odds and ends.

Wayfair has decent selection and I like that you can read extensive reviews to ensure you know what you are getting. Shipping is not as reliable as I am used to, so I would recommend planning for shipments a week before you need them just to avoid the frustration. Also, it was a last minute realization that I could get an appointment with the furniture consignment store. I would recommend trying to call or email the spots that seem closed. It is likely that they would love to sell you stuff, but they need to do it by appointment.

As for linen, I think costco is a great spot because it is good quality and you can get a bulk discount. It's also open right now which is a plus. I was not able to make it to a Costco for my linen this past week and I had success at Target. This time of year they have "Room Essentials" at low price points targeted at kids going off to college and I was able to get all the white towels I needed. I also was able to get sheet separates (I just needed fitted sheets but had enough flat etc.)

All-in-all I was able to do everything I needed, but it just took more coordination than it would in "normal" times. Good luck!

2 Reply

See this reply in the discussion

26 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Edward Eloma
Rental Property Investor · New Bedford, MA · Member since 2020 · 35 posts · 9 votes
6y
@Jeff Purl what do you mean by str? Do you furnish your appartments??
0 Reply
Paul Sandhu
Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
6y
I furnish my STRs from estate auctions. I take a 16 foot trailer, an appliance dolly, and $1000. I can buy the 4 major appliances and furnish all the rooms for under $1000. What I don't buy at auction, I buy at Wal Mart. That would be linens, towels, cookware etc. I buy my adult oriented artwork from various online sources. My STRs are decorated like Hugh Hefner's mansion.
0 Reply
Kevin Lefeuvre
Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 565 posts · 391 votes
6y
I have furniture from 2 units for sale in LA if anyone interested.
0 Reply
Luke CarlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
6y
Wayfair
Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
2 Reply
Melissa Bovee
Investor · CA: Lake Tahoe Berkeley, San Diego; Boise ID; Las Vegas NV · Member since 2019 · 88 posts · 74 votes
6y
I just finished furnishing my first vacation rental. I purchased it furnished, but I swapped out some stuff, added beds, and did a remodel to add a bedroom. I mostly used wayfair and then went to a local consignment furniture store (by appointment only right now) for the final odds and ends.

Wayfair has decent selection and I like that you can read extensive reviews to ensure you know what you are getting. Shipping is not as reliable as I am used to, so I would recommend planning for shipments a week before you need them just to avoid the frustration. Also, it was a last minute realization that I could get an appointment with the furniture consignment store. I would recommend trying to call or email the spots that seem closed. It is likely that they would love to sell you stuff, but they need to do it by appointment.

As for linen, I think costco is a great spot because it is good quality and you can get a bulk discount. It's also open right now which is a plus. I was not able to make it to a Costco for my linen this past week and I had success at Target. This time of year they have "Room Essentials" at low price points targeted at kids going off to college and I was able to get all the white towels I needed. I also was able to get sheet separates (I just needed fitted sheets but had enough flat etc.)

All-in-all I was able to do everything I needed, but it just took more coordination than it would in "normal" times. Good luck!
2 Reply
Alan Ford
Rental Property Investor · Temecula, CA · Member since 2020 · 128 posts · 55 votes
6y
I am having a large high end log cabin built. I am having furniture built - I am cutting out the middle man and having expensive pieces made for a fraction of the cost.
0 Reply
Avery CarlBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · USA · Member since 2016 · 909 posts · 1k+ votes
6y
Wayfair
Podcast Guest on Show How to Get More Airbnb Bookings This Spring and Summer Break
0 Reply
Clay L.
Rental Property Investor · Aurora, CO · Member since 2017 · 17 posts · 12 votes
6y
@Jeff Purl
Amazon and Antique/Thrift shops.
Be sure not to just throw furniture in a room and call it good. If you put a level of thought and effort into the function and style of each room you’ll offer a better experience and reap better reviews which equates to more $$$$$$.
1 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Edward Eloma Sorry about that, Short Term Rentals (think, AirBnB)
0 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Paul Sandhu I never would have thought to decorate an STR that way, that's an interesting angle. Does it work good for you?
0 Reply
Paul Sandhu
Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
6y
@Jeff Purl It works for the people I rent to. Refinery contractors. They are welders, pipefitters, boilermakers, inspectors, electricians and other traveling tradesmen. They have neck tats, chew tobacco in their sleep, drive jacked up 4x4s, smell like diesel fuel, have a high school education and make $2000-$3000 a week. If you saw one in the aisle of Wal Mart, you'd avoid the aisle. I'd punch him in the arm and tell him "Hey you mofo, the vasoline is over there"
0 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Melissa Bovee I'll have to check out Wayfair and look around at consignment stores! I found some stuff at Target too, I love that place.
Everything is definitely different now, even running to Lowes/HomeDepot is more involved. Just have to readjust and keep moving forward!
0 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Luke Carl

@Melissa Bovee
@Avery Carl
Thanks for the heads up on Wayfair!
0 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Alan Ford Is your furniture "cabin" style? Or typical?
0 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Clay L. Good point, make it nice so it sells itself
0 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Paul Sandhu That's hilarious, I like it!
And I'm sure at the end of the day they're all great people.
0 Reply
Rob Crum
Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2018 · 5 posts · 2 votes
6y
@Jeff Purl agree with others below - have also found relative “quality” items at Home Goods, TJ Max, Marshals , and Ross
0 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Rob Crum Thanks Rob, I'll check them out too!
0 Reply
Account Closed
Property Manager · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2019 · 48 posts · 20 votes
6y
Agreed with Wayfair! A huge selection at very reasonable prices and they have great customer service too. I had a few pieces that didn't work as anticipated (scratches, screws didn't fit, etc) and they shipped me replacement pieces right away or refunded me part/all of the money. I also love Amazon for non-furniture pieces in an STR (towels, blankets, etc) -- honestly just a lot easier to buy online. I also go to thrift stores for decor pieces (really, why do you need a brand new vase for $10 when a used one for $2 looks just as good? The small things really add up!) Picture attached for what I furnished with Wayfair + Amazon + thrifting.
3 Reply
Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
6y
We furnished ours through a mixture of Wayfair, Walmart, facebook marketplace, garage sales, and the local bargain box. Some things we prefer new, some things can be cheap and easy to replace, and some higher-quality but lower cost from locals.
The DIY Landlord Book4.7243 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Helen Shi That looks awesome! You have a great eye for decorating
0 Reply
Jeff Purl
OP
Arlington, TX · Member since 2019 · 24 posts · 7 votes
6y
@Nathan G. Great points, thanks for the ideas!
0 Reply
Anant Garg
San Jose, CA · Member since 2017 · 17 posts · 2 votes
5y
@Melissa Bovee - where do you have STR ? Is it in Tahoe area ?

Originally posted by @Melissa Bovee:
I just finished furnishing my first vacation rental. I purchased it furnished, but I swapped out some stuff, added beds, and did a remodel to add a bedroom. I mostly used wayfair and then went to a local consignment furniture store (by appointment only right now) for the final odds and ends.

Wayfair has decent selection and I like that you can read extensive reviews to ensure you know what you are getting. Shipping is not as reliable as I am used to, so I would recommend planning for shipments a week before you need them just to avoid the frustration. Also, it was a last minute realization that I could get an appointment with the furniture consignment store. I would recommend trying to call or email the spots that seem closed. It is likely that they would love to sell you stuff, but they need to do it by appointment.

As for linen, I think costco is a great spot because it is good quality and you can get a bulk discount. It's also open right now which is a plus. I was not able to make it to a Costco for my linen this past week and I had success at Target. This time of year they have "Room Essentials" at low price points targeted at kids going off to college and I was able to get all the white towels I needed. I also was able to get sheet separates (I just needed fitted sheets but had enough flat etc.)

All-in-all I was able to do everything I needed, but it just took more coordination than it would in "normal" times. Good luck!

0 Reply
Melissa Bovee
Investor · CA: Lake Tahoe Berkeley, San Diego; Boise ID; Las Vegas NV · Member since 2019 · 88 posts · 74 votes
5y
@Anant Garg, my STR is in Tahoe City.
0 Reply
Jinhee Hann
Lake Oswego, OR · Member since 2020 · 58 posts · 24 votes
5y
@Jeff Purl
I think it’s always cool to mix vintage with the new. I just furnished my remodeled vintage cabin with vintage finds from antique stores to furniture and mattresses from Wayfair, West Elm, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon. I learned that it could take hours of your time trying to shop online. Too many choices and things start to look the same after a while. It was a lot easier and faster to go to Target or Bed Bath to pick out linens and plates and smaller kitchen or decor items in person rather than try to shop for million small items online.
0 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.