Build a vacation rental furnishing budget by room

A total budget becomes useful when every room has a place in it.

Use a preset as a starting envelope

The furnishing cost calculator starts with three editable budget tiers for each property size. They are planning assumptions, not collected market averages or promises that a particular property can be furnished for that amount. The Premium figure is a starting point with no upper cap implied.

Editable starting budgets before contingency, in USD
SizeEconomyStandardPremium start
Studio$5,000$8,000$12,000+
1 bedroom$8,000$12,000$18,000+
2 bedrooms$12,000$18,000$28,000+
3 bedrooms$18,000$28,000$40,000+
4 bedrooms$25,000$38,000$50,000+

Inventory the spaces, not just the bedrooms

List beds, mattresses, seating, dining places, kitchen equipment, bathroom accessories, lighting, and linen. A studio with a full kitchen still needs equipment outside the sleeping area. A larger property may already contain usable items. Enter the amount you actually need to spend, not the replacement value of everything in the building.

The initial category shares are 30% for bedroom furniture and mattresses, 20% living furniture, 10% dining, 12% kitchen, 10% bedding and towels, 5% bathroom accessories, 8% lighting and decor, and 5% delivery and assembly. Outdoor or other costs start at zero. All category dollar amounts are editable.

Replace assumptions as quotes arrive

Applying a size preset distributes the base budget using those shares. Editing the base budget redistributes it again. Editing an individual category instead changes the total to match your entries. That lets you move from a rough allocation to actual quotes without having to keep a separate total in your head.

Before applying another preset, remember that it replaces category edits. Copy the current estimate if you want a record of your custom amounts. Use tax-inclusive quotes where possible and keep delivery or assembly costs in their own category unless already included elsewhere.

Keep contingency visible

Illustrative use: an $18,000 base budget with a 10% contingency produces $19,800. The extra $1,800 is an allowance for changes, not a shopping category you have already priced. Both the base budget and percentage can be changed.

Furnishing is only one part of launch cash. The startup calculator adds property entry costs, setup, and reserves. Avoid adding furnishing contingency twice when transferring an estimate. Plan initial guest consumables separately with the rental supply calculator, because coffee and toiletries are not durable furnishings.