Nice Cheap Furniture

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

ikea, ikea, ikea. Oh did I mention ikea?

That place is the truth.

IMO Ikea has cheap looking cheap furniture.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

IMO Ikea has cheap looking cheap furniture.

umm and rooms to go doesn't? :S

Some of IKEA's stuff is cheap and some of it isn't.

[runswithscissors]

I don't think it's an offense to IKEA we've all used it or have some lingering around. I think the thing to remember about IKEA when you're furnishing a rental is that most people have had the IKEA experience either when they were younger or even now in their current homes. When you're renting a Florida property especially if you're trying to attract a seasonal crowd or someone who might be willing to pay more and treat your place right...when they see IKEA it's going to emotionally evoke their own house or their college days or whatever. Yes you can use good pieces from there especially the excellent storage. I had a room of it before and the mirror door on the 75 inch armoire are a big benefit in a rental small room for sure. Same with say, the malm bedroom that is clean and simple. But do tenants really want to live in what they already have or is reminiscent of college?

I think renting out a condo is a business. So you have to use business techniques to maximize your profit and protect your investment. So therefore, know who you are renting to (students or seniors or tourists), and decorate it in such a was as to not turn off any particular demographic. Example would be I wouldn't decorate a rental the way I did my guest room with green wicker because a 20 something guy would never rent that if that were the demographic I was going for. Actually NO single guy of ANY age would rent that except a gay guy who would think it fabulous... lol. So I'd go with a taste neutral but Florida feeling (like rattan scattered around maybe) style that's going to evoke the feeling of people to say "Wow this is really nice I wanna live here". Or "Wow this is so different than in Pennsylvania"....

If you are serious about getting it rented well, go around to different sample houses in new developments and steal ideas from their decorated rooms. Like how one HUGE painting over the bed makes such an impact and you can get that painting cheap.

I was walking through Linens and Things and passed by a huge painting of a sailboat in the tropics in darker hues. I HAD TO HAVE that. Who ever thought of Linens and Things art LOL. IT was 99.00. and I got a further discount. That stupid painting every one loves and comments on when they come in. And it really looks great with my furniture by coincidence. I walked through our HOA clubhouse into the men's card room just looking around and the same painting was hung in there lol. You can make your place cute and inviting but still different...without spending a ton, imo.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

umm and rooms to go doesn't? :S

Some of IKEA's stuff is cheap and some of it isn't.

IMO Rooms to go furniture does a much better job of imitating the look of high end furniture. If you look closely you can see that the high end details are missing, but overall it gives a nice sylish look.

To me, IKEA furniture looks like it's disposable.

[Broward resident]

If you want to rent your apartment to good tenants at a nice clip, I would avoid Ikea. The store is new to S Fl, so some posters may be recommending it without having experienced the disappointment first hand.

Buy used.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by Broward resident

If you want to rent your apartment to good tenants at a nice clip, I would avoid Ikea. The store is new to S Fl, so some posters may be recommending it without having experienced the disappointment first hand.

Buy used.

Problem with that theory is, im not from Florida (NYC) and neither is compelled (he is from NY too). Ikea isn't bad.

[fauve]

I like Ikea too. It depends on what style cheap furniture you want, I think.

Danish modern - Ikea

Traditional modern - RTG, Ashley

Antique - thrift stores, antique shops (I wanna check out that store runswith scissors mentioned - sounds like huge fun!)

The RTG/Ashley route is probably the easiest as there won't be assembly and the shopping will be easiest, but I bet Ikea would be the cheapest route.

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

Problem with that theory is, im not from Florida (NYC) and neither is compelled (he is from NY too). Ikea isn't bad.

But that does support the theory that it's Gen Y (and after) that loves IKEA. At least one of you moved here in 2000 or so and went to high school here, right? Pre IKEA lol. No offense, you guys are great though

Nothing wrong with having your own style and taste even as a younger person but it doesn't exactly qualify recent high school and college grads as having tons of furniture experience.

It doesn't matter though, if the OP wants IKEA it might last the 2 or 3 years he's planning on. With the endless abuse of various tenants, beer parties and pets not to mention the famous urinating on mattresses and other attractive behaviors LOL. (and for sure that's NOT age specific either)....With IKEA that's who you're definitely going to attract, IMO. Maybe people from foreign countries would like it more I don't know...

As a mom of a 28 year old I claim a resume of expertise ha ha. (ask him how many "guests" barfed on former landlords carpets and his own sofas lol).

OP here's a link for VRBO FLL a popular vacation rent by owner site. You can take a look at some rentals. Realizing you might not be in the vacation category but it's still a good idea to see what other people offer. This will be your competition for vacation people and even seasonal or annual. Several properties on this site offer annual discounts, as I found out when moving here. But I wanted to use my own furniture so I couldn't make these work.....

Fort Lauderdale Vacation Rentals - VRBO® is Vacation Rentals by Owner Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale Hotels, Fort Lauderdale Lodging, Fort Lauderdale Travel and Tourism

[Wild Style]

compelled went to highschool here or something like that

As for me im much older than most here I think and have a family.