If you're like most people, you probably think that you need a high credit score to buy furniture. We have some good news for you: that's not always the case! 

In fact, there are several ways that you can furnish your home or apartment even if your credit score is low. One popular option is rent to own furniture. This article will teach you everything you need to know about rent to own furniture, including how to find reputable companies and what types of furniture they offer.

What is Rent to Own Furniture?

Buying new furniture can be overwhelming, and the costs add up quickly. When you rent to own furniture, you make affordable monthly rental payments instead of one large payment. And you don't use credit to rent the furniture! By the end of the payment period, the furniture is yours, all without ever using credit or checking your credit score!

How Does The Process Work?

When you rent to own an item, you sign a rental contract. Contracts can be on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. At the end of each contract period, you choose to continue to rent and make payments on the item or if you want to end your rental agreement and return it. 

If you continue to renew the contract, you will eventually own the item. A full-term rental agreement will often be between 18 and 24 months. Some stores will also allow you to do a short-term deal, such as a 120-day agreement.

One advantage to renting to own furniture is that if you decide you no longer want the item, you can return it. You aren't committed to making every payment on the item if you change your mind.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent Furniture?

Rent to own furniture is priced at an affordable monthly rate instead of paying for the item in full upfront or using credit. Generally, the shorter your rental agreement, the less you will end up paying for the furniture. 

For example, if you can take advantage of a 120-day agreement, you can save hundreds of dollars compared with a 24-month agreement on the same item. Rent to own furniture is all about finding the best balance between how much you can afford per month and how long you want to be renting to own the furniture.

What Furniture Can I Rent?

One of the best things about renting to own pieces is renting name-brand furniture, appliances, electronics, and computers. This means that you don't have to settle for cheap or outdated furniture just because your credit score is low. However, it's essential to find a reputable company that offers a wide variety of furniture options.

Where Can I Rent Furniture?

When choosing where to get your rent to own furniture, be sure to check out the company reviews. You want to find a company that offers a wide selection of name-brand items and has excellent customer service.

There are options to rent to own furniture online. Rapid Rentals allows you to browse their entire inventory online, see prices and rental agreement periods, and even fill out your rental application. Make your house a home with quality furniture at a price you can afford! 

Furniture, appliances, a new computer, a newer car...these are all things we buy and love for years before replacing with an improved model. But rent-to-own companies offer to rent you these items instead of making you save up or go into debt to buy them. After all, why rent an appliance when you can rent to own it?

Here are 10 appliances and pieces of furniture that you should rent-to-own instead of buying.

1.  A refrigerator.

The average refrigerator lasts for 14 years. Refrigerators now can run at $2,500 on that you would be forced to pay outright. But if you choose to rent with the intention of eventually owning it, you'll instead be paying around $200 a month instead. That's $2,400 over the course of ten years.

2. A Washer and Dryer

Washers and dryers are some of the most expensive appliances to own with an average lifespan of 10-13 years. You can rent both for around $250 a month (plus some hefty service fees) or rent-to-own them for around $150 a month.

Most rent-to-own companies will allow you to upgrade your model once it is paid for in full, so if you rent long enough, you'll be able to own a washer and dryer without spending hundreds of dollars up front when you have the money from rent payments available.

3. Dining room chairs and table

Finding the perfect dining room set for your home can sometimes feel like a momentous task. You want something that fits your space, but you also don't want to go into debt over a dining room set. The rent-to-own option is ideal for those who rent and just can't seem to figure out how they're going to afford such an expensive item.

4. Bed components

At some point, everyone has to go through the process of buying a bed set. If you rent an unfurnished bedroom in a shared space like a room in someone's home, for example, then rent-to-own is not an option and you should buy furniture that fits perfectly into the space.

Rather than springing for a new bed set that will put you out thousands of dollars or buying a second-hand set, you can rent-to-own to get the best of both worlds. Simultaneously having a new bed that has only ever been used by you and at a price that makes your wallet smile is the rent-to-own dream.

5. A couch.

Everyone should rent-to-own a couch at least once in their life. The rent is less than the cost of something like department store furniture, and everyone knows how quickly couches can be ruined by pets or small children.

6. A computer.

Affording a new laptop or desktop without rent-to-own assistance can be hard, so rent-to-own is an option worth considering. You will pay the full price of the item over time, but you won't have to spend upfront and worry about saving up for an expensive piece of equipment later.

7. A desk

If you rent a desk at your residence for work purposes but rent-to-own is an option, it's smart to make your rental payments an investment that allows you to eventually own your desk. Even if something like a desk set doesn't normally expire and wear out, the cost of rent-to-own can be far less than buying outright.

8. An LCD or plasma TV.

Sitting back and enjoying a movie can be largely dependent on the TV you have, so rent-to-own is a great option for television aficionados. You'll be able to lease, rent again, or rent with the goal of purchasing the product at a later date without spending hundreds of dollars on one item that will depreciate before you can purchase it at regular pricing.

9. Kitchen appliances

You don't always need to rent a washer and dryer separately. You can rent cooktops, ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers so you'll only have the appliances that you truly want to use. Plus, rent-to-own gives renters full access and control over their products. They aren't limited by stores and rent-to-own gives them the freedom to rent without having to leave home.

10. Kids' furniture

Many people rent a place or apartment so they can rent-to-own their kids' beds, dressers, and other similar items. It's an investment that will be put into high use as children quickly outgrow their clothes and furniture.

With rent-to-own, parents can rent without breaking their wallets or shopping around for sales that will have limited selections. The rent is paying at a slow but steady pace so you'll have no payments to worry about when your children are still young enough to do laundry by themselves.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to furniture and appliances, rent-to-own can be the ideal option for those who want quality products but don't have the means to afford them outright. Renting to own allows you to slowly pay off the cost of the item over time, which can be more manageable for your budget.

You also have the option of leasing, renting again, or rent-to-own with the goal of purchasing the product at a later date without spending hundreds of dollars on one item that will depreciate before you can purchase it at regular pricing. This ultimately makes rent-to-own a more affordable option in the long run.

If you're in the market for quality furniture and appliances, be sure to check out the catalog at Rapid Rentals. You'll find a wide selection of items to choose from, and you can rent-to-own with no credit check required.