The furniture industry is shifting beneath our feet, and it’s millennials who are moving the ground.

For today’s retail buyers and independent furniture retailers, understanding why younger consumers are embracing furniture rental isn’t just a curiosity. It’s an opportunity. And the decisions you make now could shape how your business serves a generation that values access over ownership.

From Ownership to Options

Let’s start with the numbers.

The UK furniture rental market was valued at approximately £1.79 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach £3.20 billion by 2030, reflecting a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% over the period.

Beds currently top the category, but the fastest growth is happening in wardrobes and dressers, suggesting strong demand from urban renters, students, and mobile professionals.

This isn’t just about renting furniture. It’s about a new way of living.

Why Are Millennials Renting Instead of Buying?

Millennials—now aged between roughly 28 and 43—have grown up during times of economic uncertainty. For many, home ownership remains out of reach. But so too does the idea of filling a rented flat with expensive, permanent furniture.

Here’s what’s driving their decisions:

• Affordability and flexibility: With higher rents and frequent moves, renting furniture allows consumers to live well without hefty upfront costs or long-term commitment.

• Sustainability: Renting extends the product lifecycle, cuts down on waste, and supports circular economy principles—values that resonate with this generation.

• Digital convenience: Millennials expect seamless experiences. From app-based browsing to subscription-style delivery, rental platforms are making it easy to furnish a home in minutes, not months.

So, What Does This Mean for You?

Whether you’re buying for a chain or curating a local showroom, these changing behaviours pose a timely question:

How might your business adapt to meet millennial expectations—without losing what makes your offer unique?

Here are five areas to reflect on:

1. Could You Offer More Flexibility?

Hybrid sales-rental models are emerging across the sector. Some retailers are partnering with third-party rental platforms; others are trialling small-scale rental programmes themselves.

Could a flexible model open the door to a new customer segment—without disrupting your existing sales?

2. Are You Highlighting Your Sustainability Credentials?

If your products are made to last, responsibly sourced, or easily recycled—say so. Rental customers often lead with their values. They want to know the pieces they bring into their homes align with their environmental concerns.

3. Are You Targeting the Right Audiences?

Millennials aren’t a monolith—but urban professionals, students, and expats are among the early adopters of rental. If you’re based near a city centre or university, could tailored bundles or short-term packages speak more directly to these groups?

4. Is Your Range Rental-Ready?

Think modular, moveable, and easy to maintain. Furniture that fits in lifts, assembles quickly, and adapts to different layouts is ideal. These aren’t just good rental products—they’re smart design solutions.

5. Is Your Tech Experience Keeping Up?

Millennials expect to research, compare, and book online—often from their phones. Your digital storefront should reflect that: intuitive, informative, and efficient from first click to final delivery.

Challenges to Consider

It’s not all smooth sailing. Rental comes with new pressures:

• Logistics and maintenance: Delivery, collection, repairs, and storage require tight operations.

• Recurring revenue vs. upfront sales: Rental income can offer consistency, but you’ll need a clear financial model to manage ongoing costs.

• Customer retention: With shorter relationships, service quality, communication, and brand personality become crucial for repeat engagement.

But these are not reasons to hold back. They’re areas to prepare for—with the right partners, tech, and strategy.

Experience Forward Thinking at the Manchester Furniture Show

This July, the Manchester Furniture Show 6–7 July at Manchester Central is where retailers and buyers who are looking ahead come together to explore what’s next in the world of furniture retail.

It’s your chance to:

• Explore 25,000+ products from over 120 leading brands, including new launches and rental-ready designs.

• Get inspired by seminars and masterclasses focused on sustainability, circularity, and the evolving customer landscape.

• Connect with your community—network with 4,000+ professionals at the UK’s most sociable summer furniture event.

• Tap into exclusive offers, new product reveals, and special moments, including the Women in Furniture Network Brunch and the MFS Show Party.

Future-Proof Your Offer

The shift toward rental and flexible design isn’t about replacing traditional retail, it’s about expanding your offer, staying relevant, and meeting evolving customer expectations around value, convenience, and sustainability.

Join us at the Manchester Furniture Show this July and explore how adaptability, innovation, and values-led products can give your business the edge.

Register today and be part of a retail community designing for today’s buyer and tomorrow’s consumer.