The first question we always get
“So what does it actually cost?” It's a fair question, and usually the one websites answer worst. So here are some clear ballpark figures.
Prices by type of furniture
At Swaap, every piece has its own monthly rate. A few reference points:
- Design chair: from CHF 5/month
- Coffee table: from CHF 5/month
- Side table: from CHF 5/month
- Floor lamp: from CHF 8/month
- Armchair: from CHF 9/month
- Dining table: from CHF 17/month
- TV unit: from CHF 27/month
- Mattress: from CHF 32/month
- Sofa: from CHF 42/month
- Sideboard or credenza: from CHF 53/month
The spread reflects the value of the piece: a high-end velvet sofa naturally costs more than a chair. The logic is straightforward — roughly 4% of the purchase value per month.
How much for a whole home?
This is where our turnkey packs come into their own, since they bundle everything you need for a single room or an entire home.
A studio — bed, mattress, table, chairs and some storage: budget around CHF 80 to 150/month depending on the range.
A 2.5-room flat — a complete bedroom, a living room with a sofa, a dining area: around CHF 150 to 250/month.
A 3.5 to 4-room flat — two bedrooms, living room, dining room: expect CHF 250 to 450/month to furnish it fully.
Our expat capsules, meanwhile, start from CHF 28/month for a tableware selection and go up to around CHF 150/month for a complete furniture pack.
What the price includes
This is where renting really parts ways with buying. The monthly rate covers:
- Delivery to your address
- Assembly and installation by our teams
- Collection at the end of the rental
- Normal wear and tear — you're living in a home, not a museum
No surprise transport charges, no van to hire, no assembly instructions to decipher on a Sunday evening.
Renting or buying: the honest maths
Let's be straight about it: over ten years, buying is cheaper. If you're settling into a home for the long haul, buying still makes sense.
Renting comes out ahead in four situations:
You're staying less than two or three years. Once you add up the purchase, the transport and then either selling at a loss or sending it to the tip, renting often costs less overall.
You'd rather not tie up 5,000 francs. Furnishing a three-room flat properly easily runs to CHF 8,000 to 15,000 to buy. Renting spreads it across predictable monthly payments.
You don't know how long you're staying. A temporary posting, a probation period, a separation, a relocation: flexibility has genuine value.
You're a business. Renting counts as an operating expense rather than an investment, which simplifies the accounts and protects your cash flow.
Rental terms and how they affect the price
Our subscriptions run for 3, 6 or 12 months. The longer the commitment, the lower the monthly rate. Conversely, a short rental costs a little more per month — that's the price of maximum flexibility.
What if I want to keep a piece?
That's all catered for. At the end of the rental you can buy the piece, and the payments you've already made are taken into account. Plenty of our customers rent to try things out, then buy the two or three pieces they've fallen for and send the rest back.
Our Second Life collection also offers premium furniture returned from rental, inspected by our teams and available to buy at reduced prices.
Get a price for your project
The ranges above give you the order of magnitude, but every situation is different: floor area, number of rooms, the range you're after, how long you need it.
The easiest route: browse the catalogue, where every price is listed, or request a quote. Our team will come back to you within 24 hours with a costed proposal, no strings attached.