7 best online furniture stores for renters in the US in 2025

When you’re renting, you want to buy furniture that will work where you’re living now and in any place you might find yourself further down the line. You need pieces that can disassemble easily, survive multiple moves, and won’t be ruined by the thrills and spills of life.

The best online furniture stores for renters deliver apartment furniture that’s made to move. Their pieces use knockdown designs that can be put together and packed flat in minutes without any tools—like Koala’s modular sofas.

If you’re looking for quality pieces without the weight and bulk that makes moving a nightmare, we’ve got you covered with our list of 7 furniture stores selling renter-ready pieces.

Quick guide: 7 best online furniture stores for renters

1. Koala: The best online furniture store for rental-friendly designs

2. IKEA: Budget basics for temporary spaces

3. Article: Contemporary styling for urban apartments

4. Burrow: Modular decor for frequent movers

5. West Elm: Natural materials for eco-conscious renters

6. Ecosa: Bedroom essentials for small spaces

7. King Living: Premium pieces with protective features

How we chose the best online furniture stores for renters

Rental furniture needs to tick different boxes than permanent pieces. The products these stores sell are easy to assemble, easy to move, and use hardwearing materials that don’t buckle under the pressure of moving from one rental to another.

• Portability and weight: Lighter, collapsible pieces can be transported without hiring professional movers.

• Ease of assembly and disassembly: Knockdown, modular and tool-free construction for quick setup and pack-down.

• Hardwearing materials: Washable covers and scratch-resistant surfaces keep your pieces looking newer for longer.

• Long-term value: Furniture built solid with quality materials lasts through relocations without needing to be replaced

• Trial periods and return policies: Home testing helps to make sure pieces work in your space, and hassle-free returns if they don’t.

• Delivery flexibility: Options that can be maneuvered in small spaces and delivered within tight moving schedules.

The 7 best online furniture stores for renters

1. Koala: The best online furniture store for rental-friendly designs

Koala makes apartment furniture that can be put together and taken apart in minutes. The modular designs can be reconfigured to work in any room and you can break them down into flat components to fit through tight spaces on moving day.

They’re perfect for everyday life, too. With washable covers and sturdy wooden construction, you don’t need to stress if your mates spill red wine on your sofa or your pet tracks mud across the cushions. Just unzip the covers, toss them in the washer, and they’ll come out looking good as new.

When you buy a Koala sofa for your rental, you’re getting award-winning, sustainable design without the massive price tag. We also offer finance options that let you spread the cost of your purchase over a couple of months. Ideal when you need some financial breathing room in those double-deposit-first-month-upfront situations.

We’ve earned over 50,000 five-star reviews globally and back all of our pieces with a 5-year warranty. You also get 120 days to trial your purchase. If you’re not a fan, we’ll collect your sofa, make sure it’s sustainably rehomed, and send you a refund.

Koala features

• Multi-purpose pieces: Adaptable designs that can do more than thing in your space.

• Tool-free assembly: Fast, fuss-free slip-together setup.

• Washable, removable covers: Detach and wash to keep furniture looking fresh. 

• 120-day home trial: Try in your actual home before fully committing. 

• 5-year furniture warranty: Protection against manufacturing or material defects. 

• Flexible payment options: Pay in installments or with buy now, pay later. 

• Ethical, sustainable production: Built with FSC-certified timber and recycled materials.

Koala pros and cons

Pros:

• Modular knockdown designs allow for easy moving and repeated reassembly

• Flexible payment plans keep your savings account looking healthy

• FlipBed technology transforms sofa beds from sit to sleep in 4 seconds

Cons:

• No showroom, so you need to you use 120-day trial to test at home

• No deliveries to Hawaii and Alaska, only the 48 contiguous United States

• Customer service only available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (PST)

2. IKEA: Budget basics for temporary spaces

IKEA’s famous flat-pack furniture can help you to keep costs down when you’re furnishing temporary digs. The simple, Scandinavian design doesn’t make any loud style statements, which means it can work in almost any space.

Assembly instructions rely on diagrams without words, which can test your patience after a long moving day. While the construction might not survive endless setups and breakdowns, the pieces are well-priced. And that trade-off often might make a lot of sense when you aren’t sure about where you’ll be next year.

IKEA features

• Budget-friendly pieces

• Flat-pack portability

• Wide product range

IKEA pros and cons

Pros:

• Same-day warehouse pickup

• Multiple room solutions

• 365-day return policy for unopened products

Cons:

• Assembly often requires tools and time

• Quality varies by range

• Delivery fees on all orders

(IKEA features reflect the information available on the IKEA website as of the publication date.)

3. Article: Contemporary styling for urban apartments

Article’s furniture comes in a range of styles that can fit the aesthetic of any rental. If you’re not sure what will work for your space, you can meet with an interior design expert who will help you pick furniture that fits and feels like home.

Their assembled delivery service costs a pretty penny, but it does save you the hassle of having to put anything together yourself. Once the pieces are in your apartment, you have 30 days to decide whether you’re keeping them. Items that are still like new can be returned for a refund and any others can be exchanged.

Article features

• Contemporary designs

• Assembled delivery available

• 30-day return policy

Article pros and cons

Pros:

• Direct-to-consumer sales

• Quality materials

• 1-year manufacturer’s warranty

Cons:

• No physical showrooms to test furniture

• Limited upholstery customization options

• No financing payment plans

(Article features reflect the information available on the Article website as of the publication date.)

4. Burrow: Modular seating for frequent movers

When Burrow founders Stephen Kuhl and Kabeer Chopra came up with the idea for their modular furniture, they had people who move apartments frequently in mind. Sections snap together and come apart easily, letting you reconfigure your layout when your floor plan changes.

Stain-resistant fabric, scratch-resistant surfaces and integrated USB chargers and power outlets in Burrow pieces mean that they live up to the demands of modern life. But you’ll have to pay a pretty penny for these little conveniences.

Burrow features

• Expandable designs

• Tool-free assembly

• Stain-resistant fabrics

Burrow pros and cons

Pros:

• Easy reconfiguration

• Built-in USB charging

• Stain and scratch-resistant materials

Cons:

• Online only

• 10% restocking fee on returns

• Mixed customer service reviews

(Burrow features reflect the information available on the Burrow website as of the publication date.)

5. West Elm: Natural materials for eco-conscious renters

West Elm has stores across the United States, so you can walk into a showroom near you and test furniture in real life rather than judging if a piece will fit in your apartment from photos online. The physical locations also make life easier when you need to return or exchange items.

The brand partners with local artisans through their LOCAL program, connecting you with furniture made from sustainably sourced options by regional makers. That said, the furniture does lean more towards a traditional aesthetic and custom designs take a long time to arrive at your apartment.

West Elm features

• Natural material construction

• Free design consultations

• Maker partnership program

West Elm pros and cons

Pros:

• Professional styling advice

• Sustainable materials

• Unique partnership pieces

Cons:

• Premium pricing

• No trial period for furniture

• Long delivery wait times

(West Elm features reflect the information available on the West Elm website as of the publication date.)

6. Ecosa: Bedroom essentials for small spaces

Ecosa’s space-saving sofa beds with built-in hybrid mattresses are great for rental apartments where space is tight. The 2-in-1 construction means you get seating during the day and a proper sleeping surface at night without dedicating separate square footage to each.

The 100-night trial gives you over three months to test your sofa bed properly. And it’s backed by a 15-year warranty. The downside is that their range is limited to sofa beds, pillows, and some accessories, so you’ll need to shop elsewhere to furnish the rest of your place.

Ecosa features

• Space-saving sofa beds

• Clean minimalist aesthetic

• 100-night trial period

Ecosa pros and cons

Pros:

• Functional contemporary design

• Easy apartment delivery

• Long warranty coverage

Cons:

• Foam only construction

• Focus on function over form

• No non-sleep furniture range

(Ecosa features reflect the information available on the Ecosa website as of the publication date.)

7. King Living: Premium pieces with protective features

King Living handles everything from design to manufacturing in-house, which means they know what their customers need from their furniture—like machine-washable covers that unzip for cleaning. These removable covers and other replaceable furniture components mean you can refresh worn parts rather than replacing entire pieces when life happens.

The brand has payment plans that can lessen the load King Living’s premium pricing might put on your bank account. They don’t offer any trial period, though, so you should be certain before making any big ticket purchases.

King Living features

• 25-year steel frame warranty

• Modular flexibility

• Designed in Australia

King Living pros and cons

Pros:

• Machine-washable couch covers

• Quality construction

• High-quality materials and craftsmanship

Cons:

• Doesn’t work for budget decorating

• No trial period

• Delivery limited to select counties in California, Oregon and Illinois

(King Living features reflect the information available on the King Living website as of the publication date.)

Comparison table: The best online furniture stores for renters

What furniture works best in rental apartments?

Rental furniture needs to move easily without bashing into walls or doors, or breaking your back. You want pieces that disassemble quickly, fit through tight spaces, and survive multiple relocations without falling apart.

Lightweight modular pieces that disassemble make the most sense. Koala’s knockdown designs, for example, break down into flat components that pack into your trunk. This beats hiring movers every time you start a new lease.

Multi-function furniture is another big win for renters in apartments, maximizing limited space. Sofa beds can work as seating during the day and guest beds at night, while storage ottomans hide clutter in small apartments.

How do you get furniture into apartments with tight spaces?

Narrow hallways and tiny lifts can create a logistical nightmare when you’re moving. You need to plan ahead rather than discovering your new sofa won’t fit through the door after it arrives: measure your doorways, hallways, and lifts before ordering anything. Get the exact dimensions and compare them to furniture specs online.

Look for modular or flat-pack designs and compression packed softs like bed-in-a-box mattresses. Because you’ll put these together or expand them only once you’re inside, so tight spaces are less of a concern than with traditional "fixed" furniture.

If you have bulky items you can’t break down or a particularly tricky access situation, think about booking a professional moving service. They usually know the best ways to navigate tight corners and narrow stairwells. Although you should still protect walls, door frames, and other surfaces to prevent potential deposit-dissipating damage.

Why Koala is the best online furniture store for renters

Change is the name of the game at Koala. Our modular pieces can be put together and taken apart loads of times without any problems. No matter where or how many times you move, you’ll always be able to come home to your comfy Koala furniture.

It’s not just the way we build our furniture, either. Since we set up our Treehouse in Sydney back in 2015, our goal has been to influence the interiors industry and change the way furniture is made for good.

Every piece of timber we use in the manufacture of our products comes from responsibly managed forests that bring environmental, social and economic benefits. Plus, replaceable parts, washable fabrics, and a range of warranties, we’re powering the circular sofa economy.

All of that to say: Koala furniture moves through life just as easily as you do. Check out our furniture range and turn your rental into a real home.

FAQs about the best online furniture stores for renters

What is the best furniture for a small apartment?

Multi-function pieces work best in small apartments. For example, a Koala sofa bed gives you seating during the day and sleeping space at night. Going vertical can help too—think wall-mounted shelving that maximizes storage space without eating into your floor area.

How do you move furniture into an apartment?

Before you start, measure the floor area and your door, hallway, and lift dimensions. That way you’ll know what will fit and what won’t when moving day comes. If space is tight, you might want to consider ordering some knockdown or flat-pack furniture that you can get inside and assemble later.

What furniture do I need for my first apartment?

Start with the essentials and add pieces as you go. You need a bed, somewhere to sit, and a table for eating. Then you’ll want to add storage solutions, lighting, and bedroom furniture. When all of that’s done, you can start thinking about decorative pieces and accessories.

How do you arrange furniture in a studio apartment?

Create zones using tactical furniture placement. Position your bed in one area with a room divider or bookshelf to separate where you sleep from where you do the rest of your living. When you’re furnishing, try to stick to light contemporary furniture. This will help to make the space feel bigger.

How much does furniture cost for an apartment?

How much you’ll need to budget will depend on a bunch of factors, including the floor size, number of rooms, and the style of furnishings you’re after. This can get pretty pricey, but you can always take advantage of Koala’s payment plans to get what you want without having to make a massive downpayment.