Things I Bought, and Decided to Return: Midterm Rental Edition
Written by: Rene
I promised you honesty and transparency about the products I love, the ones I don’t, and everything in between, so here’s some honest feedback.
There were a few things I bought online for this midterm rental that just didn’t work once I saw them in person. And after thinking about it, I decided I’m still going to link the items I returned.
Because we all have different needs and preferences. Something that was a dealbreaker for me might not matter at all to you. My goal isn’t to tell you what not to buy, but to give you a more complete picture so you can decide for yourself.
So, here’s what I bought, what I returned, and what I chose instead.
(Some of these are affiliate links. I may receive a small commission from purchase.)*
1. Coasters
Coasters may seem like a tiny detail, but they’re an important addition to a furnished rental. If you don’t give guests an easy way to protect your furniture, you can’t be too upset when a watermark shows up.
What I was looking for:
Something stylish and affordable that would protect the furniture and fit the overall design.
What I initially purchased—and returned: Acejoz Marble Ceramic Coasters
Pros: The set came with a pretty gold metal stand, which made it easy to keep the coasters contained. The coasters themselves were made from an absorbent material, which was great for condensation from cold drinks.
Middle: The print was…fine. It definitely looked better online. In person, it was more obvious that the design was printed on. Not terrible, but not necessarily a wow factor either.
Cons: The biggest issue was the stand. On the set I received, the gold wire wasn’t joined together well at the bottom, leaving a sharp, uneven seam. Not only was it sharp to the touch, but it made the holder wobble—and I worried it could actually scratch the furniture it was supposed to help protect.
Is it possible I just got the one lemon from the production line? Absolutely. But based on the set I received, it wasn’t a good fit for my rental.
What I bought instead: Threshold 4 pk Stoneware Stamp Coasters in Light Blue
Pros: These are made from a solid, heavy material and the design looks much higher quality in person. Bonus: the colors perfectly coordinate with the lamps in my living room.
Middle: They don’t come with a holder, so if you want your coasters contained, you’ll need to purchase one separately. They’re also solid rather than porous, so if absorbency is a priority for you, these may not be the best option.
Cons: None so far!
2. Paper Towel Holder
Yes, I have opinions about paper towel holders. And no, I don’t think you should overlook them in a furnished rental.
What I was looking for:
Something functional, sturdy, and cute enough to fit with the design of the kitchen.
What I initially purchased—and returned: Ivilon Countertop Paper Towel Holder - Warm Gold
Pros: Aesthetically, I loved this one. The soft gold complemented my champagne bronze faucet and cabinet pulls beautifully. It was also HEAVY, which meant it wasn’t going to scoot across the counter every time someone grabbed a paper towel.
Middle: It arrives in three pieces: the round base, the center bar, and a knob that screws onto the top. That top knob keeps the paper towel roll from sliding off. If that feature is important to you, you may actually really like this design.
For me, though, the execution became frustrating.
Cons: You have to unscrew the top knob every time you replace the paper towel roll. It took surprisingly long to unscrew, and as I twisted it, the center bar would sometimes start unscrewing from the base too.
Essentially, changing a roll of paper towels turned into disassembling and reassembling the whole thing.
I made it through exactly ONE rental turnover before deciding I was over it. And my thought was: if this frustrates me during turnovers, it could also frustrate a guest who is living there for a month or more and regularly replacing paper towel rolls.
Cute? Absolutely. Right for this rental? Nope.
What I bought instead:
Hearth & Hand Wooden Paper Towel Holder
Pros: Beautiful solid wood that adds some warmth and dimension to the kitchen design. And most importantly (to me, at least), the paper towel roll slides on and off easily when it needs to be changed. No unscrewing. No disassembling. No turning a 10-second task into a whole project.
Middle: If having an extra bar on the outside to help hold the paper towel roll in place is important to you, this one doesn’t have that feature.
Cons: None so far! Sometimes simpler really is better.
3. Placemats
What I was looking for:
Something that gave guests a way to protect the dining table while still fitting seamlessly with the design of the rental.
And for a rental property, washable placemats are a must for me.
I actually ordered a couple of options at the same time and returned the set that didn’t work as well in the space.
The placemats I returned: Art Pinecone 9 Piece Cotton Rope Placemats, Coasters & Holder, Taupe Mix
Pros: These were washable woven-rope placemats that came with matching coasters and a coordinating storage basket. They felt sturdy and high quality, and I really liked the natural tone of the material.
I actually REALLY liked these and would absolutely consider buying them for another property. They just weren’t the best choice for this particular unit.
Middle: The placemats fit nicely in the included basket, but the woven coasters don’t stack quite as neatly on their own because of their shape and texture.
Cons: Their biggest strength was also their downside for this space. They’re thick, substantial placemats with their own storage basket—which is great if you have the room.
But this is a smaller unit, and I wanted something with a lower visual profile that could easily be folded or tucked into a kitchen drawer. I think these would work beautifully on a larger dining table or in a rental with more storage.
The placemats I kept: Tegeme 15 in Cotton Linen scalloped Embroidery Placemats
Pros: These washable cotton placemats feel substantial without being bulky. They have beautiful embroidered edging that ties in perfectly with the wallpaper, and they’re thin enough to keep a low profile on the table or easily fold into a drawer when guests want them out of the way.
Middle: Unlike the woven set, they don’t come with a storage basket or matching coasters. If having a coordinated set is important to you, that’s something to consider.
Cons: THEY’RE OUT OF STOCK.
Thankfully, I bought an extra set for my owner’s closet when I placed my original order. But when I went back to buy more, they were gone.
Hopefully they come back in stock soon, because these were definitely the winner for this particular rental.
I think this is one of the hardest parts about shopping online for a furnished rental: sometimes an item can have great reviews, look perfect in photos, and still not work once you actually get it into the space.
And sometimes an item I return might be exactly what you need—which is why I’d rather tell you the good, the bad, and the “ehhh…it depends” than only share the products that worked perfectly for me.
(Some of these are affiliate links. I may receive a small commission from purchase.)*