The word “rent” is everywhere these days, right? It began with rental homes and has now extended to everything inside them.
If you’re a student in a rental apartment, a young couple setting up a home, a migrant in a new city or an expat staying for a fixed period, renting furniture is always an option. It lets you try out different pieces before you buy. Besides, furnishing a flat from scratch can get very expensive, especially if you’re just starting out.
Many rental providers now offer furniture on rent for a monthly fee. The rent usually includes delivery, installation and maintenance.
Read this guide to understand what furniture you can rent, what the rent covers, how renting compares with buying and more.
Why renting furniture makes sense?
If you’re in Bengaluru, Mumbai or Delhi, furnishing a flat from scratch can get very expensive. Even if you get the cost sorted, there is the problem of not staying in one place for long. Demanding jobs keep people constantly on the move.
Renting furniture comes in handy and solves the problem of cost and commitment.
Low upfront cost: If you’ve recently moved into a flat, renting the furniture you need significantly reduces your overall expense. Renting comes with a monthly rent and a minimal security deposit, which is usually refundable. It also frees up money for the flat deposit and rent.
Flexibility: If you move often, renting furniture is the best option for you. You don’t have to spend a lot on buying furniture. You can rent whatever you want and return it when you move again, without worrying about selling or storing it. If you move to a city where the provider has a presence, you can check whether they will relocate your furniture for you.
Low resale value: Used furniture often sells for far less than what you paid for it, and it’s difficult to find a buyer. You never have to deal with this when you rent.
Hassle-free delivery and upkeep: Your monthly rent usually covers delivery, installation and relocation, if needed. Your furniture gets delivered to you and picked up from you without any hassle.
Try before you buy: If you’ve just moved into a new home and want to check whether a piece of furniture fits, you can always rent it and try it out before you buy.
Students, working professionals who move frequently and newly married couples benefit the most from renting furniture. Renting may not suit everyone, and it can get expensive if you do it for a long time. More on renting vs buying later.
What pieces of furniture can you rent in India?
You can rent different pieces of furniture in India. It can be beds, mattresses, storage units etc. You can also rent individual pieces or ready-made packs. Here is a short list of different types of furniture which you can rent in India.
- Bedroom: beds, mattresses, wardrobes, side tables
- Living room: sofas, TV units, coffee tables, recliners, ottomans
- Dining and kitchen: dining sets, chairs, storage units
- Work-from-home: study tables, ergonomic chairs, bookshelves
- Ready-made packs (1RK, 1BHK, 2BHK, full-home) vs picking individual items
| Room | Commonly rented items | Best for |
| Bedroom | Bed, mattress, wardrobe | First home, relocations |
| Living room | Sofa, TV unit, coffee table | Families, hosting |
| Dining | Dining set | Couples, families |
| Work-from-home set up | Study table, ergonomic chair | Remote workers, students |
So, what will all this cost? Let’s look at below.
Furniture rental prices in India (2027)
Rental prices in India vary from region to region and from city to city. Providers usually charge a minimal, refundable security deposit. To give you some context, DrinkPrime is a water purifier brand that offers different purifiers on rent at an affordable ₹349/month. The security deposit is ₹1,500 (except for the under-the-sink model, which is ₹1,999), and it is refundable once you return the product.
Here’s how rentals work: you choose the item you want to rent and check the monthly rent and the lock-in period. You pay the security deposit and get the furniture delivered. The rent usually covers delivery, maintenance, installation and relocation, if needed.
Read through the budgeting table below to get an idea of how this works.
| Item | Approximate monthly rent |
| Single bed with mattress | ~₹450-550/month |
| Double bed with mattress | ~₹500-700/month (varies with wood and mattress quality) |
| Wardrobe | ~₹400-500/month |
| Sofa (3-seater) | ~₹600-1000/month |
| Dining set (4-seater) | ~₹600-1500/month (depends on wood) |
| Study table | ~₹150-300/month |
| TV unit | ~₹250/month |
| Ergonomic chair | ~₹100-500/month |
Please treat this as a guide. Your monthly rent will vary from provider to provider. Here is another guide you can refer to when you rent a pack.
| Pack | What’s included | Approximate monthly rent |
| 1BHK | Mattress, bed, wardrobe, refrigerator, washing machine, bedside table | ~₹1,500-5,000 |
| 2BHK | Bed with storage, mattress, refrigerator, washing machine, sofa, coffee table, study table, office chair, dining table, wardrobe | ~₹5,000-7,000 |
| 3BHK | Bed, mattress, refrigerator, washing machine, sofa, study table, coffee table, office chair, wardrobe, dining table with chais | ~₹10,000 |
What does the pricing look like?
Rental pricing is broken down into three things: the monthly rent, a security deposit and an early closure charge.
Once you decide on the item you want to rent, check the monthly rent and what it includes. Furniture rentals usually start at around ₹100, depending on the item. The rent covers the product, delivery, installation, maintenance and relocation, if needed.
There is also a refundable security deposit. Then there is the lock-in period, which is the minimum period you need to keep the item. If you return it before the lock-in period ends, an early closure charge may apply.
Once you return the furniture to the provider, the security deposit will be refunded to you.
If an item gets damaged or needs repair during use, you can raise a service request on the provider’s app, and a technician will visit at a time convenient to you.
If the item is found damaged on return, charges may apply depending on the provider’s policy.
Questions to ask before you rent
Before you rent your furniture, these are the things you need to ask:
- Is the piece of furniture new or refurbished?
- What type of wood is used?
- Is the mattress new for every customer?
- How much is the security deposit? Is it refundable?
- Are there late payment charges?
- What is the minimum lock-in period?
- Is maintenance, delivery, installation included?
- How do I call a technician if something goes wrong?
Rent vs buy: which makes sense?
Here is a quick table to understand which suits you best: renting or buying.
| Factor | Renting | Buying |
| Upfront cost | Low: refundable deposit plus first month’s rent | High: full payment upfront |
| Monthly cost | Fixed monthly cost | None unless the device is purchased on EMI |
| Long-term cost | Can add up over several years | Usually cheaper if you use it for many years |
| Flexibility | Easy to swap, upgrade or return | Locked in once you buy |
| Moving homes | Provider picks up, or shifts it for you | You pay for packing, transport and risk damage |
| Resale value | Not a concern | Poor: used furniture sells at a steep discount |
| Maintenance and repairs | Usually handled by the provider | Your responsibility and cost |
| Delivery and assembly | Usually included | Depends on the seller, often extra |
| Ownership | The provider owns it | Fully yours |
| Best for | Short stays, relocations, first homes, students | Long-term homes, settled families |
Furniture is just one part of the home: appliances, water purifier, and more
Once you know what you want to rent, one part of your home is sorted. But furniture is just one part of the home setup. There are also electronics, appliances, water purifiers and more.
To go with your furniture rental, you can tick one thing off your list: a water purifier. DrinkPrime offers a range of purifiers: Copper, Alkaline, Mineral+, UV and Under-the-Sink. Rent at DrinkPrime starts at ₹349/month with a refundable deposit of ₹1,500, and there is a 3-month lock-in period.
Rent a DrinkPrime water purifier and cross that off your list.
Get 7 Days Risk Free Trial
Conclusion
So, have you decided what you want to rent? Read through the guide carefully and compare whether to rent or buy. To sum it up, renting works if you don’t want to pay a hefty upfront cost and are constantly on the move. Buying works if you want to own the furniture and don’t mind the upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is renting furniture affordable in India?
It is, if you move often, stay for a short period or don’t want a big upfront spend. You pay a monthly rent and a refundable deposit instead of buying everything at once. If you plan to stay for many years, buying usually works out cheaper.
2. How much does it cost to rent furniture per month?
It depends on the item, provider, city and tenure. Individual pieces typically start at around ₹100-150 a month, and full packs cost more depending on the home size and what’s included. Check the pricing tables above for an idea.
3. Do I have to pay a security deposit to rent furniture?
Most providers charge a refundable security deposit. The amount varies by provider and product, and it’s returned once you hand the furniture back in good condition.
4. Does the rent include delivery and installation?
Usually yes. Most providers include delivery, installation and maintenance in the monthly rent, and relocation if needed.
5. What is a lock-in period?
It is the minimum time you need to keep the furniture. If you return it before the lock-in ends, an early closure charge may apply.
6. What happens if the furniture gets damaged?
Normal wear and tear is usually covered. If the furniture is found damaged on return, the provider may deduct charges from your deposit as per their policy.
7. Can I rent furniture for just a few months?
Yes, many providers offer short tenures, but the minimum lock-in varies. Longer tenures generally mean a lower monthly rent.
8. Can I move rented furniture to a new city or home?
Some providers will relocate it for you if they operate in your new city. Ask about relocation charges and coverage before you rent.
9. Is rented furniture new or used?
It depends on the provider. Some offer brand-new pieces, others offer refurbished ones. Ask before booking, and ask whether the mattress is new for every customer.
10. Can I buy the furniture I’m renting?
Some providers allow it, but it isn’t a given. Ask whether there’s a buyout option and how the price is calculated.
