What's Actually Included in a Furnished Apartment?

The short version

"Furnished" doesn't have one fixed meaning. At the low end it's a bed, a couch, and a table. At the high end it's a place stocked down to the dish towels, with utilities and Wi-Fi already in the rent. Most listings sit somewhere between those two, so the only reliable move is to read the specifics before you sign instead of trusting the word on the listing.

The baseline almost every furnished place includes

If a rental calls itself furnished, expect at least the things that are expensive or awkward to buy for a short stay. A bed and mattress. A sofa and some seating. A dining or kitchen table with chairs. And the major appliances built into the unit, usually a refrigerator and a stove. That's the floor, and it's enough to sleep, sit, eat, and cook.

What "fully furnished" adds

Fully furnished is the version you can move into with a suitcase. On top of the baseline it usually includes cookware and dishes, glasses and utensils, linens and towels, lamps and basic décor, and a TV. Many fully furnished mid-term rentals also fold in Wi-Fi and utilities, and some include cleaning. This is the setup built for people who don't want to buy a single thing for a place they'll leave in a few months.

Ready to find your next monthly stay?

Discover furnished and unfurnished homes that fit your lifestyle—connect directly with property owners today.

Made for Monthly Living

Comfortable spaces designed for extended stays.

Search Anywhere, Anytime

Explore rentals nationwide and find what fits your lifestyle.

Book with Confidence

Secure, reliable listings you can trust.

Talk Directly with Hosts

Clear communication from inquiry to move-in.

What furnished usually does not include

Furnished rarely means stocked. You're still bringing your own toiletries, cleaning supplies, and food. Parking, laundry, and consumables like trash bags or paper towels are often left out even in nice listings. None of that is a knock on furnished rentals. It's just the line most landlords draw, and it's worth knowing before move-in day.

Furnished, fully furnished, unfurnished

Three points on a scale. Unfurnished is the space plus the big appliances and nothing else. Furnished adds the core furniture. Fully furnished adds everything you'd otherwise have to buy, plus often utilities. If you're weighing furnished against unfurnished for your own situation, the furnished vs. unfurnished guide walks through the cost and stay-length math.

Questions to ask before you sign

A short list saves a lot of late-night store runs. Is Wi-Fi included, and how fast is it? Are utilities included or capped? Are linens, towels, and kitchenware provided, or just the furniture? Is the place cleaned before move-in? And if something breaks, who fixes it? Get the answers in writing.

Why this matters more for a monthly stay

For a night or two, the gap between "has a bed" and "has a can opener" doesn't matter. For a stay of 30 days or more, it's the difference between settling in and a frustrating first week. That's why mid-term listings on Furnished Unfurnished spell out furnishing clearly, and why you can message the landlord directly to confirm the details before anything is decided. The lease and payment stay between you and them.

Frequently asked questions

What is a furnished apartment? An apartment that comes with the furniture you need to live there: at least a bed, seating, a table, and working kitchen appliances. Fully furnished versions add kitchenware, linens, a TV, and often utilities.

What does fully furnished mean? Move-in-with-a-suitcase ready. The furniture plus the smaller items like cookware, dishes, and linens, usually a TV, and often Wi-Fi and utilities included.

Are utilities included in a furnished rental? Sometimes, especially for mid-term stays, but not always. Confirm it on the listing or with the landlord before you sign.

Is a furnished apartment worth it? For a short or mid-term stay, usually yes. You skip the cost and effort of furnishing a place you'll leave soon.

Comparing furnished and unfurnished for your next move? Search furnished and unfurnished rentals, free for renters, with no booking fees.