Furnished vs. partly furnished flat: which is worth it
A furnished flat is worth it when you are moving with little more than a suitcase and do not want to invest in furniture, while an unfurnished flat makes sense if you already own your own. A sensible compromise is a partly furnished flat with a kitchen and bathroom, where you add the rest to suit yourself. What decides it is how long you plan to stay and whether you already own the furniture.
The three levels of furnishing
Listings distinguish three basic levels of furnishing, and it is worth knowing them:
- Furnished flat: comes with furniture and appliances; you move in with little more than your personal belongings.
- Partly furnished flat: usually has a kitchen unit with appliances and a bathroom; you add the rest of the furniture yourself.
- Unfurnished flat: no furniture, often just a kitchen unit or completely empty.
The lines between the categories are not always sharp, so always check exactly what is included with a specific flat. With partly furnished flats in particular, what is included varies from one listing to the next.
Comparison: what each option gives you
The table sums up the main differences between a furnished and a partly furnished flat:
| Aspect | Furnished | Partly furnished |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront costs | Low | Medium |
| Rent | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Freedom to furnish | Lower | Higher |
| Speed of moving in | Immediate | Quick |
| Suits | Shorter stays | Long-term living |
A furnished flat saves on upfront spending but gives you less freedom. A partly furnished flat offers a balance between comfort and the chance to make the space your own. There is no universally better option; it always comes down to the tenant's specific situation and how long they are moving in for.
The cost of furnishing it yourself
With an unfurnished or partly furnished flat you need to budget for buying furniture. The basics, that is a bed or sofa, a wardrobe, a table and chairs, are a one-off expense that for a small flat runs from a few thousand to tens of thousands of crowns depending on quality.
That expense is spread over the whole time you live there. The longer you stay in the flat, the more it pays to buy your own furniture. For a shorter stay, on the other hand, a furnished flat or the option of adding furniture as part of the rent is usually the better deal. So before you buy, it is worth working out whether your own furniture will actually pay for itself over the time you plan to stay.
Which option suits whom
The choice depends mainly on your situation:
- Moving light or for a shorter period? A furnished flat is worth it.
- Planning to stay long term and already own furniture? Consider an unfurnished flat.
- Want a balance between comfort and freedom? A partly furnished flat is ideal.
For long-term renting, the most practical choice is usually a partly furnished flat with the option of adding furniture, because it combines lower rent with the convenience of a ready-made kitchen and bathroom. The tenant does not pay for furniture they will not use, yet has basic comfort from day one.
What to consider when choosing the level of furnishing
Deciding between a furnished and a partly furnished flat is not just about money, but also about comfort and your plans for the future. It is worth weighing up how long you want to live in the flat and how much furniture of your own you already have. Both options have their place, and the right choice depends mainly on your situation.
- How long you plan to stay in the flat.
- Whether you already own furniture or would have to buy it.
- How much you want to invest upfront and how much per month.
- How much you want to make the flat your own.
With a partly furnished flat that offers optional extra furniture, you do not have to choose in black and white. The basics, the kitchen and bathroom, are ready, and the rest you either buy yourself or add as part of the rent. It is precisely this flexibility that makes partly furnished flats a popular choice for long-term living.
How it works in Rezidence Pelikán
The flats in Rezidence Pelikán are partly furnished. They come with a new 195 cm kitchen unit with MORA appliances, that is an induction hob, an A-rated oven and an extractor hood, and a high-spec bathroom with a Swiss shower system. So you can cook and live there from day one.
Anyone who wants the flat fully furnished can take the extra-furniture option for CZK 750 a month. It includes a 140 cm wide sofa bed with a quality BK Italia mattress and a wardrobe. That way the tenant only pays for furniture they will actually use, and chooses between buying their own and taking a ready-made solution with no upfront investment.