While Carrie Johnson was showcasing rental fashion at the G7 — designer frocks she had brought in for a fraction of the purchase price — dozens of fashionistas were watching her show them off to world leaders seated on designer sofas, which were rented with the same sustainability-based ethos in mind.
On-trend chairs, tables, beds, desks and lamps as well as sofas are being hired by the month by a new, fashion-driven generation who may only want to hang on to their current choice of furniture for a season or a reason.
To see if they like living with mid-century style, perhaps, or bolder colour than they’ve experimented with before, and avoid having to chuck pieces they tire of into landfill.
Joining rental furniture specialists such as David Phillips are CORT, who have a big US presence and are interacting with the UK through their Roomservice subsidiary, design and vintage-oriented Harth and now John Lewis, that king of home furnishings for the people.
‘We’re seeing a real trend in consumer behaviour towards usership rather than ownership,’ says John Vary, John Lewis’ futurologist.
That explains why the high street chain’s first furniture collection for rental, trialled in London last year, was snapped up in 48 hours.
‘Desks were understandably popular as well as office chairs as people started setting up home offices, but also fun items like bar carts,’ says Nicola Waller, head of home furnishings buying for John Lewis.
‘As people spent more time at home, they became more interested in jazzing up a corner,’ she says of the cart, which at £6 per month is the entry price item in a range including velvet office chairs (£11), four-person dining sets (£21), armchairs (£45) and sofabeds (£48).
Now John Lewis is taking the scheme nationwide from Monday in partnership with Fat Llama, best-known for renting out DIY equipment and hobby-tech appliances — from DJ decks to professional cameras — by the day.
‘The experience we have gained enabled us to build a system for John Lewis, DFS and others looking to rent out furniture,’ says co-founder Chaz Englander.
Harth
If you want to try out the unusual, or unusually expensive before committing, Harth is the place to head. It rents items from private lenders, such as dealers and galleries, including vintage as well as contemporary designer furniture for a minimum of one month.
Rental cost is higher than its competitors but, importantly, all rent paid goes towards purchase price.
Whoosh Neon Sign
Love neon, but not sure whether you want to live with it? This Whoosh Neon Sign from the fabulous God’s Own Junkyard can be bought for £1,900 — but you can rent it for £95 a month.
Hayward woven bed blanket
Luxury doesn’t necessarily mean expensive… you can try out this Brutalist-inspired Hayward woven bed blanket by Studio Custhom for £20 month — or commit straightaway for £249.
Into-form Absract Seating
You may well want to try out the remarkable Into-form before committing.
The striking piece is made up of five components that you can arrange to suit you and your mood.
A real conversation starter!
Into-form: Abstract Seating by Ilco, £480pcm
The Ball Chair
Lay your hands on a real classic and up your style credentials by renting this The Ball Chair, designed by Eero Aarnio. It’s one of the most famous and beloved classics of Finnish design and it was the international breakthrough of Eero Aarnio.
So good, it’s not actually for sale — but you can have it in your living room for £140pcm.
Roomservice
Roomservice rents everything for the garden as well as home, including appliances, for a minimum of one month and £75 per month minimum order.
Head onto their website and you’ll find a number of ready-made packages. Rent everything you need for your unfurnished bedroom, and you can furnish your living room — complete with stylish sofa, too.
One of their mid-range deals is the Camberwell King Size Bed and Belgravia Bedroom package at £584.40 a month.
That price includes a kingsize bed frame with upholstered headboard, and mattress. two bedside tables and a chest of drawers.
The price also includes delivering, assembly and even arranging your furniture. If you rent it for a year the price reduces to £158.40 a month, and for three years, it’s £77.40.
Individual pieces are also a possibility. If you’re suddenly short of a duvet, a double bedding pack starts from £8.40 a month, or need to get some appliances that’s possible, too.
You can even hire a roll-top bin at £2.40 a month, right up to a Bosch washer dryer for £62.40 a month. Be aware of that minimum spend.
John Lewis
John Lewis is expanding its first furniture rental service — doubling the range to offer more than 200 lines — following a trial that saw them partner with Fat Llama last year.
It must have been blown away by the response, most of the collection was snapped up within the first 48 hours.
Furniture is available for a 12-month rental period, and is priced by the piece, with an option to buy and rental paid deducted from the purchase price. Just think of the money a thrifty PM could save…
Anton 4 Seater Dining Table
Got space for a dining room table, but not sure about size or style yet? The clean lines of Anton 4 Seater Dining Table with two benches will do the job nicely while you decide , and will cost just £21 a month.
If you fall in love with it, the rental money will be put against the purchase.
Show Wood sofa bed
The dark navy upholstery of this Show Wood sofa bed contrasts beautifully with the pale wooden legs. Classic lines from John Lewis — but a sofa is a big decision.
Rent it — the blue is called ‘topaz navy’ — for £48 a month or buy for £799.
Swept Armchair
Orange looks so great in interiors magazines. But could you actually live with it?
Try the colour for size with this Swept Armchair at £45 a month. Want it for keeps? It’s £749.
Hairpin desk
Undecided about hybrid working? Get your home office kitted out in style.
No need to shell out £299 for this dark oak, hairpin desk when £18 a month covers it nicely.
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2021/07/20/why-rented-furniture-is-the-solution-to-giving-your-home-a-new-look-14955466/
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