How to Furnish a Short-Term Rental: Do’s & Don’ts From Someone Who Moves WAY Too Much
5 Do’s & Don’ts of Short-Term Renting (From Someone Who Moved WAY Too Much)
So, you’re thinking about a short-term rental? Maybe you’re in between moves, maybe you want to live somewhere cool for a while, or maybe (like me) you just accidentally ended up in a seasonal rental for three years. Oops.
My boyfriend and I moved into a winter rental on Lake Winnipesaukee back in 2022, and let me tell you—it was a glow-up from the overpriced summer rental we had before. That place? We called it The Dungeon because it was dark, cramped, and filled with way too much of the landlord’s stuff. But this new place? Four bedrooms. Right on the water. Million-dollar view. Same price as the dungeon.
The only catch? We had to move out every summer. (Because, well, the price jumps to $9K a WEEK in peak season. 😅)
Fast forward three years of moving in and out every Labor Day and Memorial Day, and I’ve learned a thing or two about making a short-term rental feel like home without wasting time or money. Here are my top do’s and don’ts for surviving and thriving in a temporary rental.
1. Don’t Buy a Ton of Furniture. Just… Don’t.
I get it—you want your space to feel like yours. But trust me, DO NOT go on a furniture shopping spree for a place you’re only in short term. It’s not worth the money or the moving-day back pain.
Instead? Use what’s already there. And for anything you do need, make sure it’s lightweight, easy to move, and preferably multipurpose—like Muvo Boxes. (Because hauling a full-size couch in and out every season? Hard pass. 😵💫)
2. Do Use Fabrics & Small Decor to Make It Cozy.
No, you don’t have to live in a totally soulless rental space. The trick? Soft stuff. Throw blankets, pillows, rugs, DIY curtains—these are easy to move, and they add big personality with zero commitment.
It’s the nomadic way to decorate. You can fold everything up and take it with you when you move.
Another game-changer? Lighting. Be liberal with lamps, but stick to smaller, easy-to-move ones like clip lights and mini table lamps. Swap in your own art, sprinkle in some plants, and boom— you’ve got a cozy home that’s still 100% move-out friendly.
3. Don’t Try to Fix Everything. (Seriously, Just Don’t.)
Not everything in a rental is gonna be perfect. That’s life. Maybe the cabinets are ugly. Maybe there’s a weird stain on the ceiling. Maybe the dishwasher smells mildly haunted. But fixing that stuff isn’t your job.
Things I have painfully learned to just accept:
🚫 Peeling paint on the bathroom cabinets
🚫 Banged-up walls in a boring shade of Millenial Grey 😑
🚫 Broken blinds
🚫 Loose cabinet shelf pegs that fall out if you breathe nearby them
🚫 Knobs that just keep spinning no matter how many times you tighten them
In a short-term rental, you’ve gotta pick your battles. I know it’s tempting to whip out the glue and spackle, but it’s not worth the security deposit drama.
Hide the ugly. Jimmy rig it. And if you can’t get a rent credit to fix it, don’t bother.
4. Do Move Around What You Can Change.
You can’t remodel the kitchen. But you can rearrange the furniture so it actually makes sense. You can swap out the weird decorations for your own. You can bring in some fun lighting.
I fully rearrange every space I move into because (A) it makes it feel like home, and (B) most landlords have no idea what good furniture placement (or decorating) looks like.
After documenting the original placement (and any existing damage!) of everything with pictures and videos, I pack up all the dusty fake plants, faded prints, and inspirational “Live Laugh Love” plaques and put them in storage where they belong.
5. Do Take Notes for Your Future Home.
One of the best things about short-term renting? It’s like a free trial for what you actually want in a home.
Keep track of what you love (big windows, open layouts, good storage) and what you absolutely hate (dark kitchens, no garbage disposal, slanted floors).
Future you will thank you.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Make It Cozy, Enjoy the Ride.
Short-term rentals can be chaotic, but they’re also a fun way to experience different places without being tied down.
The key? Don’t overcommit. Keep it lightweight. Make it cozy.
And if you’re moving a lot, check out Muvo Boxes—because your back will definitely appreciate it. 😉