ETA: I wrote this post in April 2021, when furniture, like everything else, had looong delivery times because of…everything. Now, in September 2022 delivery times are mostly better. However, it’s not uncommon to need to get a vacation rental ready to rent in a short amount of time. So, this advice is still relevant even if it’s a little easier to order stuff.
How to furnish a vacation rental, fast.
If you need furniture for your vacation rental right now, I’m so sorry.
The supply chain, amiright? It’s never fun to tell a client that the dining chairs it took so long to find are, best case, 28 weeks from delivery.
You probably know the story. Furniture manufacturers are dealing with raw materials shortages, labor shortages, and reduced manufacturing capacity in Asia. Add on delays at ports, shipping container shortfalls, and an increase in demand, and it’s a big old cluster.
Some of my clients can wait. Most of them cannot. If you’re trying to open a vacation rental for business, you probably need stuff a lot sooner than retailers are shipping.
Don’t despair!
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You can furnish your vacation rental on time and make it look good, too.
You must have a design plan for your vacation rental.
The looking good part requires a plan. Whether you have me design it for you or do it yourself, have a good idea of the furniture you need for your space. Know ahead of time what will fit, what will work for the number of guests you plan to host, what will look good, and what will stay looking good for a long time. Just like a shopping list prevents you from buying that Costco-sized cheesecake on impulse (sometimes), a design plan will keep you from making purchases that will cause you aggravation long after you’ve forgotten what a “deal” the thing was.
Start furniture shopping as early as you can.
See above, re: a plan. When I work with full-service clients, we have complete furniture plans six weeks (or less) after taking measurements, depending on the project’s complexity. This week, I met with an investor to present a complete remodel and furnishing plan for his latest project. He doesn’t close for two weeks, but he knows to bring me in as early as possible since he’s worked with me before. He’ll have contractors showing up and furniture ordered the day he takes the keys.
You can still order furniture online, but proceed with caution, and verify.
A lot of retailers are trying to head off the inevitable complaints by posting estimated ship dates. Pay attention to those. Even if something looks like it’s in stock, I recommend calling customer service to verify that whatever you’re about to order will arrive by the time you need it.
I mean actually pick up the phone and talk to a human. I know, I hate it, too. Better to suffer through hold music now than to have to figure out Plan B on the fly when something doesn’t show up.
Some retailers have gotten smart and added quick-ship items to their websites. Here are a few (as of 8/2/21):
- West Elm
- Pottery Barn (filter searches by “in stock and ready to ship”
- Apt 2B
- Joybird
- Z Gallerie
- One Kings Lane
- Hay
Look for stuff that already exists.
That can mean pre-owned, showroom samples, or made locally in addition to in stock in a warehouse somewhere. Here are a couple of places to start your search.
Chairish is a good place to look for floor samples as well as previously owned stuff.
Facebook Marketplace has largely replaced Craigslist for pre-owned furniture.
Etsy is a great place to look for made-locally furniture, as well as vintage. It doesn’t have to be local, of course, but be sure to factor in shipping if you find something you like.
Flea Markets If you have access to major flea markets like the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, or the Brimfield Antique Show in Massachusetts, you’ve got a great opportunity to find vintage and antique furniture. You’ve got to have the patience for it, though, and not everyone does. I usually don’t, so I let the professionals filter for me and hit Etsy and the vintage stores for an edited selection.
Vintage stores. Consignment stores and antique malls can be just as chaotic and frustrating as flea markets, so if you don’t find the hunt thrilling, I’d skip those. Find stores that specialize in the types of furniture you like instead and spend your time there. I usually find these first on Chairish or Etsy by filtering by location. When I notice a vendor that has a few things I like, I look at their entire inventory and visit them if they have a brick-and-mortar store.
Manufacturer outlets. These can be tempting but proceed with caution. Be sure the bargain that tempts you will really work and that it’s really a bargain. If nothing else furniture outlets can show you the real quality of some “luxury” retailers’ products.
Prioritize made in the USA
While most big brands import most of their furniture, a few have manufacturing facilities in the United States (note that they still import some items). Two brick-and-mortar examples are Room and Board and Bassett.
Several US-based online companies build furniture to order. Their lead times are a little longer than usual, too (see: raw materials shortages), but they are usually faster than retailers that are waiting for containers from Asia. Be sure to check production times before you order. Try these.
- Maiden Home
- Benchmade Modern
- Floyd Home
- Burrow
- Inside Weather
- Sabai Design
Hire a full-service designer.
Full service means ordering, coordinating shipping and receiving, and installation in addition to completing design plans and ensuring quality work from contractors.
Not only does this take the burden off you, but interior designers also have access to to-the-trade-only stuff, which tends to be better quality and more customizable than retail. While these manufacturers are having the same struggles with shortages, there are several who can deliver quality furniture relatively quickly, and an experienced designer will know what to recommend.
Full-service design is, of course, not cheap. It’s not the right solution for every property, but it alleviates a lot of stress and frees up time for those who don’t have the time or desire to participate in the design process.
I take on a few full-service projects a year. Contact me if you have a project you’d like to discuss.
If all else fails, consider a temporary fix.
Rentals. If you’re really in a pinch and getting temporary furniture will mean the difference between getting a few months’ rental income or not, consider renting furniture. Rental companies have come a long way, but those rental fees add up quickly. If you’re trying to furnish an entire property you’re probably better off buying some cheap stuff and selling it or giving it away when your “real” furniture arrives.
Filler furniture. AKA, cheap stuff. If you must. The same rules apply to furniture you buy at Ikea, Target, Home Goods, or what have you as with any other retailer. Have a plan. Verify that what you want is in stock. Try not to get everything from the same place, and budget to upgrade some of the key pieces in the future (usually sofas, dining tables, outdoor furniture, and dining chairs). Try to replace them before they start falling apart so you can at least donate them to someone who needs them rather than sending them to a landfill.
What do you think? Do you have a great resource that I missed? Got a lead-time horror story? Post it in the comments!
