Fernish is worth it for anyone in a temporary living situation, but it's not a good long-term financial choice for homeowners. As a furniture rental service, its value proposition is built on flexibility, convenience, and style - not permanent ownership or heirloom quality. For renters, students, or people testing out a new city, Fernish offers an elegant way to furnish a home without the commitment and high upfront cost of buying.
The furniture is generally mid-range quality with modern designs, but it's not built to last a lifetime. In short, Fernish is a fantastic solution for short-term (1-3 year) needs, but if you're looking for "forever furniture," you're better off buying from traditional retailers.
How Is Fernish's Quality?
Fernish's quality can best be described as mid to upper-mid tier, prioritizing contemporary aesthetics and comfort over robust, long-term durability. It’s a step up from typical short-term rental furniture but doesn't compete with brands that use solid wood construction.
- Materials: Most furniture is constructed with engineered woods like MDF or particleboard with veneer or laminate finishes. Upholstery is typically a durable but standard polyester blend, and frames for metal pieces use plated steel or aluminum rather than solid, heavier metals.
- Construction: Pieces are mass-produced in Asia (primarily China and Vietnam). Most sofas rely on sinuous spring systems with foam cushions, and assembly often involves staple-stitched upholstery - effective for modern production but less durable than traditional joinery or hand-tied springs.
- Durability and Longevity: The furniture is designed to look good and be comfortable for a rental lifestyle, typically holding up well for 2-3 years. After that, signs of wear like sagging cushions or chipping veneer can become apparent, especially in high-traffic households.
- Common Complaints: Customer feedback sometimes points to minor defects on arrival, such as scratches or loose hardware. The most frequent long-term issue is cushions losing their firmness and support after about a year or two of regular use.
Is Fernish Good Value for the Price?
Fernish provides excellent value for its target market: people who need stylish furniture but don't want to commit to owning it. However, its value decreases significantly if your goal is long-term ownership and the lowest total cost over time.
Price Positioning
Fernish operates on a rental model, making direct price comparisons difficult. Expect to pay between $100 and $300 per month for a basic living, dining, or bedroom setup. For example, a standard sofa typically rents for around $150/month. While the upfront cost is negligible compared to buying, rental payments can easily surpass the purchase price of similar furniture after just 2-3 years.
What You're Paying For
With Fernish, you’re not just paying for a couch, you're paying for a service. This includes access to trendy, coordinated collections, white-glove delivery and assembly, maintenance, and the flexibility to swap or return pieces as your needs change. You are paying a premium to avoid the hassle of buying, moving, and selling furniture.
Where You Get Good Value
- Temporary Housing: Ideal for anyone living somewhere for 6 months to 2 years, such as students, remote workers, or those on temporary work assignments.
- Furnishing a First Apartment: A great way to get a stylish, fully furnished place without draining your savings on pieces you may not keep forever.
- Design Flexibility: Perfect for those who love changing their decor style frequently without the guilt or financial loss of selling old furniture.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Long-Term Residences: If you plan to live in your home for more than 3 years, it's almost always more cost-effective to buy your furniture outright.
- High-Traffic Homes: Families with kids or pets may find the mid-range durability isn't sufficient for heavy daily wear and tear.
- Investment Pieces: Fernish does not offer "forever furniture." You aren't building equity in a piece you will own for 10+ years.
Fernish Quality by Category
Quality can vary depending on what you’re renting. Here’s a general breakdown of what to expect from their most popular categories.
Sofas & Sectionals
Sofas feature MDF or particleboard frames with polyester-blend upholstery and foam cushions with a density of around 1.8 lb/ft³, which is standard for mid-range furniture. They are comfortable and stylish for the first couple of years but are the most likely items to show wear, specifically through cushion sagging.
Bedroom Furniture
Bed frames and dressers are typically made from engineered wood with laminate or veneer finishes. They offer a clean, modern look and are structurally sound for normal use but can be prone to surface chipping or creaking over time, especially if moved frequently.
Dining Furniture
Dining tables often feature laminate tops that are resistant to stains but can chip at the corners with heavy use. Chair construction is similar to sofas - functional and stylish but not built for heirloom longevity. This category stands up reasonably well in a rental context.
Decor & Accessories
Items like lamps, mirrors, and rugs are curated to match Fernish's modern aesthetic. Quality is generally decent and comparable to what you might find at stores like Target or Crate & Barrel. These smaller items are a great way to complete a room without the commitment of purchasing them.
Our Verdict: Is Fernish Worth It?
For its intended purpose - flexible, stylish, short-term furniture rental - Fernish is absolutely worth it. It solves a major headache for a large group of people who are in transitional phases of life. It is not, however, a substitute for buying quality furniture if you are looking to invest in long-term pieces for a permanent home.
Quality Grade: B
Fernish earns a B for quality because it delivers exactly what it promises: attractive, contemporary furniture suitable for a rental lifespan. While the use of engineered woods and standard foam keeps it from an 'A' grade, the overall finishing and consistent styling are above average for rental furniture. Pieces are built to last the typical 2-3 year cycle of their target customer.
Value Grade: B-
The value proposition gets a B-, reflecting its outstanding utility for short-term needs countered by its poor financial value as a long-term solution. The convenience, flexibility, and low upfront costs are major strengths. However, because the total rental cost can quickly exceed the retail price of comparable furniture, it's a model with a clear expiration date on its value.
Better Alternatives to Fernish
If you're looking for longer-term durability or have decided buying is a better investment, these direct-to-consumer brands offer superior quality at competitive price points.
Article
Article provides mid-century modern and contemporary furniture with a focus on solid wood construction, better-quality fabrics, and kiln-dried hardwood frames. While the upfront cost is higher than a few months of renting from Fernish, you get a piece that will last 5-10 years, offering far greater long-term value.
Shop now at article.com
Burrow
Burrow is known for its clever modular sofas that are durable, customizable, and easy to move. They use kiln-dried hardwood frames and performance upholstery that resists stains, making them an excellent choice for anyone who wants furniture that can adapt to future moves and new living spaces.
Shop now at burrow.com
Floyd
Floyd creates minimalist, high-quality furniture designed for longevity with a focus on modularity. Their platform beds and shelves are made from durable materials like birch plywood and steel, offering a better long-term investment for those who value craftsmanship and plan to keep their furniture for many years.
Shop now at floydhome.com
Joybird
Joybird specializes in custom-upholstered mid-century modern furniture. They offer a vast selection of fabrics and use high-quality materials like kiln-dried hardwood frames and high-resilience foam, giving you a custom look with the durability to last far longer than a rental piece.
Shop now at joybird.com
West Elm
West Elm offers a similar trendy, modern aesthetic to Fernish but with an emphasis on ownership and higher-quality materials like solid woods and performance fabrics. If you love the Fernish style but are ready to buy, West Elm is a logical next step for durable, stylish pieces.
Shop now at westelm.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Fernish furniture last?
Fernish furniture maintains its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity for about 2-3 years of normal use. After that, items in high-use roles, particularly sofas, may begin to show wear such as sagging cushions or surface chipping.
Is it cheaper to rent from Fernish than to buy?
For periods of less than two years, renting is almost always cheaper than buying comparable new furniture. However, if you plan on needing furniture for three years or longer, buying is the more economical option as your rental payments will surpass the item's purchase price.
Can you buy your rental furniture from Fernish?
Yes, Fernish offers a "rent-to-own" feature where a portion of your monthly rental payments can be applied toward an item's buyout price. This provides a flexible path to ownership if you end up loving a piece.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
