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06 Nov 2025
Furnished vs Unfurnished Homes in Dubai: What Families & Landlords Should Know
Key Takeaways:
Choosing between a furnished or unfurnished property in Dubai can greatly affect your rental returns and tenant
satisfaction. Whether you’re a young professional or a family moving to the city or a landlord looking to increase your
investment, it’s important to understand that your choice of furnishing may be more responsible for the outcome. In this
blog, we’ll understand tenant preferences, costs, speed-to-market benefits, ROI, and turnkey solutions to help you make
the right decision.
- Furnished homes rent faster than unfurnished homes in Dubai. Property Finder’s data suggests 59% of apartment tenants and 52% of villa tenants prefer furnished properties.
- Various industry data suggests furnished properties command 15-30% higher rents.
- Furnished properties experience lesser void periods in the market.
- InStyle Direct offers turnkey, ready-to-install furniture packages that make spaces ready to move in within days.
- These furniture packages are durable, easy to maintain, and leave a lasting impression backed by InStyle’s warranty and aftercare support.
Why do many tenants prefer furnished homes in Dubai?
Tenants' preference for furnished Dubai properties can be attributed to two factors: convenience and speed.
Move-in-ready Dubai apartments eliminate the hassles of furniture shopping for business travellers, corporate relocations, and expat families. Property Finder's January 2025 data shows 59% of apartment tenants and 52% of villa tenants prefer furnished rentals, reflecting Dubai's international workforce seeking corporate furnished accommodation and expat housing solutions.
How much more do furnished units cost (and why)?
In Dubai, furnished homes usually rent for 15% to 30% more than unfurnished ones, depending on the area and quality. In Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, furnished one-bedrooms rent for AED 100,000–150,000 a year, and two-bedrooms for AED 170,000–240,000. On Palm Jumeirah, furnished two-bedrooms can reach AED 250,000–320,000. Tenants pay extra for convenience, style, and ready-to-use spaces, so compare similar listings to stay competitive and maximise returns.
Do furnished properties really rent/sell faster in Dubai?
Absolutely, industry insights show that furnished properties in prime areas rent 20–30% faster. They also photograph better, creating instant lifestyle appeal for overseas tenants who can’t visit in person.
In Dubai, furnished listings spend fewer days on the market because they remove decision barriers for tenants. According to Gulf News, some investors now buy fully furnished, ready-to-rent apartments and even secure tenants months before handover.
Why furnished listings attract more clicks: stronger visuals, emotional connection, and move-in readiness, all of which speed up the journey from viewing to signing. The same advantage applies when selling; furnished homes in Dubai tend to sell faster.
Landlord ROI: Do the numbers add up?
The landlord ROI furnished Dubai equation compares the higher rent you can charge with the initial costs and the benefits of having fewer empty periods for furnished properties.
Example: An unfurnished two-bedroom rents for AED 150,000 a year. The same furnished unit rents for AED 180,000, a 20% premium, or AED 30,000 extra each year.
If furnishing costs AED 45,000, you’d recover that in about 18 months through higher rent alone. Plus, if furnishing helps you avoid even one month of vacancy per year over two years (worth around AED 30,000), your total two-year gain becomes AED 90,000(60k rent premium + 30k vacancy saved), leaving you with a net profit of AED 45,000 after costs.
For expat- and corporate-focused rentals, furnishing often pays off within 12–18 months and continues to boost returns over time.
How fast can you furnish a Dubai home? Turnkey steps
Turnkey furnishing in Dubai delivers ready-to-rent furniture through five streamlined steps:
- Consultation: Site assessment, budget alignment, style direction
- Design & Selection: Curated furniture packages for target market
- Supply & Logistics: Sourcing, quality checks, delivery scheduling
- Installation: Professional white glove installation Dubai setup
- Handover & Aftercare: Final walkthrough, warranty documentation
Kindly note: Standard packs install in 10–14 days; custom projects take 3–5 weeks.
Why choose InStyle Direct for family-focused furnishing in Dubai?
InStyle has been in business for more than 20 years in the UK and around the world. They offer full furnishing solutions for private homes, investment properties, and large developments. Our furniture is strong, safe for kids, and easy to care for. We also offer full aftercare services to protect your investment from everyday wear and tear. We take care of everything, from the first meeting to the handover and beyond, in a simple way that is both flexible and affordable.
FAQs
Yes, furnished apartments usually rent out 20–30% faster because they are easier to move into, look better online, and cost less up front, which saves time and trouble.
According to various industry reports, furnished properties command 15–30% premiums. For example, a furnished two-bed apartment in downtown Dubai reaches AED 170,000–240,000 annually when compared to its unfurnished equivalent.
Yes, our furniture packages are designed with families in mind. Each piece uses durable, stain-resistant fabrics, rounded edges, and child-safe materials—offering lasting comfort and style in every detail.
Yes, we offer developer furniture packages in Dubai with project management, bulk pricing, and consistent quality for large-scale developments.
Yes, we offer warranty and aftercare services to help protect your furniture and keep it looking fresh and new for years.