Published October 28, 2024

Renting furnished or upholstered as an expat: which choice suits you?

When looking for a rental property, you often come across the choice between renting furnished and upholstered. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your personal situation, preferences and future plans. In this article, we list the pros and cons of both options for you so you can make an informed choice.

Advantages of renting furnished as an expat

  1. Instantly ready to move in: furnished properties are fully furnished, meaning that when you move in, you don't have to think about furniture, appliances or decoration. This is ideal if you need to move quickly or if you have a temporary home. 
  2. Flexibility: furnished properties are often offered for shorter rental periods, making it an attractive option for expats, students or people who need to live in another city temporarily for work. You are not stuck with long leases.
  3. No extra costs for furniture: as the property is already fully furnished, you don't need to invest in furniture, white goods or other essentials. This can be a big cost saver, especially if you have no plans to stay permanently.
  4. Saving time: renting a furnished property saves you time as you don't have to spend time picking out and moving furniture. This can be a huge advantage if you lead a busy life.
  5. No need to move your furniture: Moving your furniture from your home country to The Netherlands can be pricey. It also could take a long time before everything arrives, especially if you move your belongings per ship. 

Disadvantages of renting furnished as an expat

  1. Higher rent: furnished properties are often more expensive to rent than unfurnished properties. This is because the landlord charges extra for the furniture and fittings. 
  2. Less personal décor: with furnished proper bties, you have little to no influence on the style of the interior. If you find it important to reflect your own taste and personality your home, this can be a disadvantage.
  3. Wear and tear or damage to furniture: since the furniture is owned by the landlord, you are often responsible for maintenance and any damage. This can lead to extra costs if something breaks.
  4. Short rental periods: Furnished properties are often offered with shorter leases. This offers more flexibility and is ideal if you do not plan to stay in the same place for a long time

Which option suits you?

The choice between renting furnished and unfurnished depends entirely on your personal situation and what you need. If you are looking for flexibility, speed and convenience, a furnished property is a good option. Are you planning to stay for a longer period of time and want to decorate the property completely to your own taste? Then an unfurnished property is probably a better choice.

By thinking carefully about your budget, length of stay and how important it is for you to furnish the property to your own liking, you can make a choice that best suits your living needs. Take a look at these furnished properties in Amsterdam, or see what upholstered options there are.

Find your home faster with Pararius+

Pararius is the number one leading rental platform in The Netherlands. Pararius was developed by real estate brokers that are expat rental specialists. With our knowledge and insights of the rental market, we understand that it can be hard to find a rental home in The Netherlands. That's why we've developed an additional service: Pararius+, which will notify you about newly listed properties that meet your search criteria, allowing you to respond quickly and increase your chances of a viewing invitation. Plus members can view the number of responses per property and easily track the status of the properties they have responded to.

Start your home search!