Moving into a new student apartment is exciting, but one of your biggest decisions is whether to go with a furnished or unfurnished space. In a college city like Salt Lake City—where students, interns, and young renters move in and out year-round—furnished apartments can be super convenient. But they’re not always the perfect fit for everyone. Before signing a lease, it helps to understand what you’re getting (and what you’re not).
Pros of Furnished Student Apartments
1. Convenience from Day One
With a furnished student apartment, everything you need is already waiting for you—bed, desk, couch, dining setup, and sometimes décor. You can show up with your suitcases, move in within minutes, and start living. For busy students or anyone moving from out of state, that convenience is unbeatable.
2. Cost Savings Upfront
Buying furniture gets expensive fast—especially on a student budget. Furnished apartments let you skip the cost of mattresses, dressers, desks, and couches. If you’re just starting college, only staying for a year, or trying to avoid big spending at once, furnished options take a lot of financial pressure off.
3. Ideal for Short-Term or Flexible Leases
Doing a summer term, internship, or only planning on being in SLC for a school year? Furnished apartments make short-term living super easy. You don’t have to buy, move, or store furniture every time your plans change.
4. Much Less Moving Stress
No truck. No borrowing a friend’s pickup. No hauling a couch up three floors. With furniture already in place, move-in and move-out are fast and stress-free—perfect for students juggling class schedules, work, and relocation all at once.
Cons of Furnished Student Apartments
1. Higher Monthly Rent
Furnished student apartments typically cost more per month. While you do save upfront, that slightly higher rent can add up over time—especially if you’re staying in the same place for multiple years.
2. Limited Personalization
Since most major furniture pieces are already chosen for you, you may not have full control over the aesthetic. You can still make the space your own with décor, but if you’re someone who wants a fully customized setup, an unfurnished apartment may be a better fit.
3. Responsibility for Furniture Condition
Because the furniture isn’t yours, you’ll need to keep it in good shape. Normal wear and tear is expected, but anything beyond that—stains, damage, broken items—could come out of your security deposit.
4. Less Cost-Effective for Long-Term Students
If you plan to stay in SLC for several years, buying your own furniture for an unfurnished apartment often ends up cheaper in the long run. Once you own your furniture, you aren’t paying a monthly premium for it.
Choosing between a furnished or unfurnished student apartment really depends on your budget, lifestyle, and how long you plan to stay in Salt Lake City. If you want a move-in-ready space with minimal hassle, a furnished unit is a major win. But if you’re looking for long-term savings or want full control over your space, unfurnished might be the better route.
At Montaire, you get the best of both worlds. Our SLC student apartments come in both furnished and unfurnished options, so you can pick the setup that fits your college experience. Whether you want instant, stress-free move-in or a blank canvas to design from scratch, Montaire has a home that works for you.
