Furnished vs Unfurnished Rentals in Turkey: Pros, Cons, and Costs

Turkey's rental market offers both furnished (eşyalı) and unfurnished (eşyasız) apartments at very different price points. The "right" choice depends heavily on how long you plan to stay and your tolerance for setup effort.

Furnished Apartments

Furnished apartments command a 15–35% premium over equivalent unfurnished units. The quality of furnishings varies wildly — inspect carefully. Turkish furnished apartments typically include beds, sofas, kitchen appliances, and basic crockery. Check that the furniture is in reasonable condition before signing.

Unfurnished Apartments

An unfurnished Turkish apartment typically means completely bare — no light fixtures, no curtains, sometimes no kitchen cabinets. Budget ₺30,000–₺80,000 to furnish a 2+1 apartment from scratch using IKEA, Kelebek, or local furniture stores.

The Break-Even Analysis

For stays under 12 months, furnished almost always makes financial sense — the setup cost of unfurnished exceeds the rent premium. For stays of 2+ years, unfurnished pays for itself and gives you control over your environment.