Let’s be real: adulting is hard. Somewhere between assembling IKEA shelves with missing screws and figuring out what the heck a ‘mid-century modern’ coffee table even is, we all have the same question pop up at least once:

“Should I just rent to own this furniture and call it a day?”

Sometimes yes—and sometimes no. Let’s break it down like your favorite build-it-yourself futon (hopefully without leftover parts).

First, what is rent-to-own furniture?

Rent-to-own (RTO) furniture is kind of like dating your couch before committing to a long-term relationship. You pay in small weekly or monthly chunks, and after a certain period that couch is yours. No credit checks, no giant upfront cost. Another bonus is that there’s usually a warranty, and maintenance and repairs are included if anything goes wrong!

On the flip side, you’ll usually end up paying more over the life of that lease than if you just bought that couch outright.

When should you rent to own?

1. You moved, need furniture, and don’t have $1000s of dollars to pay up-front

Whether you’ve relocated for a job, school, or a dramatic life reset, sometimes you need furniture fast—but don’t have thousands of dollars you can drop on it up front. RTO lets you outfit a space without dropping your entire savings. Couch today, payment tomorrow.

2. You’re temporary—like, real temporary

If you’re living somewhere for less than a year (hello, interns, traveling nurses, digital nomads), renting to own lets you have real furniture without the stress of reselling it on Facebook Marketplace later. You can often return the items if you move on before paying them off.

3. Your credit score is… under construction

No judgment here—life happens. RTO stores typically don’t run credit checks, so if you’re in rebuilding mode, this can be a low-barrier way to furnish your space.

4. You want to “test drive” your living style

Not sure if you’re a sectional person or more of a loveseat minimalist? Renting to own gives you the option to experiment without the full commitment. If you decide it’s not your vibe, you can usually switch or return it.

And when is it maybe not such a good idea?

1. If you can buy it outright

If you have the cash, it’s really best to just buy it. Depending on how long you do it, rent-to-own can sometimes mean paying double the original price over the lifetime of the lease. That $1000 sofa might cost you $2,000 or more by the time you’re done renting to own it. 

2. You’re looking for high-end furniture

Rent-to-own shops usually stock practical, budget-friendly stuff—not fancy designer pieces. If you’ve got a Pinterest board full of $2,000 armoires, you probably won’t find what you’re looking for in an RTO catalog.

Pro tips for doing it smart

  • Compare prices. See how much that same item costs at other stores. If it’s 3x more expensive than that to RTO it, maybe don’t.
  • Negotiate. Some stores let you pay off early for less—use that to your advantage!
  • Read reviews. Not all RTO companies are created equal. Check out what kinds of experiences other customers have had.
  • Set reminders. If you miss payments, you might lose the furniture and your money. Oof.

The verdict

Rent-to-own is like fast food furniture: convenient, satisfying in the moment, but potentially expensive in the long run. If you’re in a pinch, it might be your best option. Just go in with your eyes wide open and your calculator app ready.