Last updated on July 10th, 2023 at 10:59 am

Moving to a well-furnished home that caters to your lifestyle can be quite a task. Not only are you looking for a proper, spacious home in your preferred location with the best amenities, but you’re also looking for one with furniture that suits your tastes and preferences. In Kenya, the furniture rental industry mainly serves to relocate expatriates who prefer not to ship their furniture or whose furniture is en route by the time they arrive. People rent furniture for a variety of reasons, one of which is because they have just migrated to Kenya from another country and have had their furniture delivered from
their previous location, but it has not yet arrived.

Furniture adds to a house’s warmth and transforms it into a home. Certain pieces – their design and styling – have the potential to set the energy in the room and enhance calmness. How one feels in the house is becoming more essential as more and more people spend time at home, even working remotely from there. Portable, convertible, or multi-purpose furniture pieces, such as desk-cum-cabinets or sofa-beds, are not only suitable for sprucing up a room or office’s décor and making it look more spacious but
are also flexible enough to meet different customer and end-user needs.

Pros of Renting Furniture

Save on Costs

Buying furniture may not be feasible for customers who need it only for a short while and want to avoid additional expenditures. For expatriates on the move or staying permanently in Kenya, renting furniture will help save on the additional costs of contracting an international moving company for the furniture back home. Kenya’s furniture rental industry provides long- and short-term commitments to suit everyone’s budget. Furthermore, if one doesn’t need the furniture anymore, there is a convenient
return policy.

Speedy and Flexible Delivery Timelines

With furniture rentals, the hassle of waiting too long for delivery or finding that the style you need is unavailable is much reduced. Most rental companies provide temporary replacements for furniture pieces not in stock until the situation is resolved. Thus, you can furnish your new space immediately if need be.

The Furniture Rental Company Handles all the Heavy Lifting

Having the rental company deliver and perform the furniture installation is recommended to avoid the physical hassle and risk of costly damages. Most providers have the proper equipment and experienced workforce to haul heavy furniture up high-floor apartments and into your home. Unless you prefer a DIY approach, these companies typically assemble and disassemble the furniture on delivery and pick-up.

Additional Services

Some furniture rental services offer other things besides furniture that one may need to enjoy their new space, including kitchenware and electrical appliances. These accompanying items may include;

● Electronics

● Art and décor
● Bedroom and dining sets
● Linens

Customers receive a custom-made service that suits their lifestyle, timelines, and budgets by renting furniture, and should anything be broken or not to your tastes; they are available every step of the way.

Sustainability

Once a client completes their rental term, the furniture gets a ‘new life’ at another client’s space after the usual makeover to make them look brand new; hence nothing ends up in a waste dump. For some people, if they do not want long-term commitments with their furniture, they rent it out to amplify the financial impact of their investment, thus facilitating a circular economy in the furniture industry and a reduced carbon footprint.

Cons of Renting Furniture

The Costs are High in the Long Term

The whole premise behind renting furniture is to save a more significant portion of the money you would have spent on buying the furniture. However, the rental fees can quickly add up when the term elapses, and you may discover it would have been cheaper to buy.

Some unscrupulous companies may also include miscellaneous fees unassociated with the rent, such as insurance costs and additional fees for scrapes, stains, breakages, spills, and other forms of damage. For those with kids and pets, the prices may be exorbitant.

Limited Options

Most furniture rental companies maintain a neutral style and design of furniture, almost a one-size-fits-all inventory, so you may not find the perfect pieces to match your planned aesthetic. While this tactic keeps most of the companies in business, it means you will have to compromise with the available pieces. For instance, since most rental furniture options are ready-made, finding unique items for your modern home might be challenging. Similarly, you might need to look at other firms to discover furniture that
compliments your style if you just had a house renovation to update your decor.

Some reputable furniture rental companies include

● One Residence/CORT Global – CORT Global has a global network of consultants to assist relocating US personnel, diplomats, ex-pats, and anyone with furniture renting needs for whatever term -long or short. Their partners in Kenya handle every detail to ensure stress-free settling into your new space,
including fully serviced delivery, installation, and removal when the term ends. CORT Global has furniture rental partners who provide broad access to different furniture styles and designs for furnishing living rooms, kitchens, home offices, bedrooms, and dining spaces.
● Upscale Furniture – Upscale serves a broad client base of international corporations, expatriates, landlords, moving companies, and real estate agents. The company specializes in designing and curating modern and chic furniture and appliances for rent, enabling customers to live comfortably.

● Home Afrika – HAFR is an NSE-listed real estate company developing and leasing bespoke furniture.
● Furniture Palace Kenya
● Swahili Furniture
● Prestige Furniture
● Home and Beyond

How Much Does Renting Furniture in Kenya Cost?

The cost of renting furniture is determined by factors such as the type and quality of furniture, rental term, and the service provider. It is recommendable to get quotes from different providers and pick one that best suits your budget, as prices and conditions may change over time. To get an idea of the probable cost, these are the estimated costs for the furniture rental sector in Kenya;

● Basic Package – to furnish a studio or one-bedroom apartment would cost approximately 5000-15000 monthly.
● High-End Package – may include designer sets or pieces with premium prices, so you may pay 15000-50000 monthly.
● Individual Furniture Renting – for single items instead of packages, a sofa might be 2000-5000, a dining table 3000-7000, a bed 1500 – 5000 monthly, etc.

Make sure to use expert moving firms that will not only assist you through shipping the furniture but also install it for you in a skilled manner, which is particularly important given the likelihood that the furniture will arrive flat-packed.

As a moving company, Nellions can help you move furniture, whether you are shipping it from another country or from the port to your house. Reach out to Nellions today for a free quotation on consultation, shipping, temporary storage, and installation needs.