Furniture That Survives a Vacation Rental

A vacation rental has a new group in the house over and over. Wet swimsuits on the sofa, sunscreen on the headboard, suitcases dragged into dresser corners. Furniture bought for a regular home doesn't last long in that.

When furniture wears out, you pay twice: once to replace it, and again in reviews that mention a stained couch or a wobbly chair. We've been furnishing rentals from our Kissimmee shop since 2004, and this is what we look at when we pick or build pieces for a rental.

Vacation rental interiors from our Kissimmee shop since 2004.

Fabrics: what holds up and what doesn't

Upholstery is where most wear shows first. We look for performance fabrics that clean up from spills and sunscreen, and we stay away from light, loose weaves on anything guests sit on in swimsuits. Removable, washable cushion covers help a lot because your cleaner can deal with a stain the same day instead of waiting for it to set.

Solid pieces versus flat-pack

Flat-pack furniture is cheap to buy and often expensive to own in a rental. The joints loosen with every move and it rarely survives being taken apart and put back together. For pieces that take the most use, like dining chairs, bed frames, dressers, and bunks, we lean toward solid construction. Where it makes sense, we build pieces in our shop to fit the room exactly. See custom furniture design.

Finishes and edges

• Finishes that wipe clean and hide small scuffs
• Rounded or protected corners where luggage and cleaning carts go by
• Felt pads and hardware that can be tightened instead of replaced

Outside: the lanai and the pool deck

Florida sun and pool chemicals are hard on outdoor furniture. Cushions fade, some frames rust, and cheap straps crack. Pick materials made for full sun and chlorine, and plan where cushions get stored. We cover the outdoor side in our pool deck and lanai design guide.

Spend where guests touch

You don't need the toughest version of everything. Put the money into the pieces guests use hardest and see in every photo: sofas, beds, dining chairs, and anything in a kids' room. If your furniture is already worn, our vacation rental refresh and redesign page covers what a refresh looks like. If you're starting from empty, see turnkey vacation rental furniture packages.

Related guides and pages

• Turnkey vacation rental furniture packages
• Custom furniture design
• Pool deck and lanai design
• Vacation rental refresh and redesign

Common questions