The serviced apartment sector has grown significantly in the UK over the past decade, driven by the rise of aparthotels, build-to-rent developments, corporate travel demand, and short-term let platforms. With that growth has come increased regulatory scrutiny — and a corresponding need for operators, developers, and managers to understand that furnishing a serviced apartment is not the same as furnishing a home.
A serviced apartment operating commercially is a commercial premises for fire safety purposes. The furniture inside it must meet commercial standards. This guide covers what that means in practice — from fire compliance to specification by room, from budgeting to sourcing.
Fire Safety Compliance for Serviced Apartments
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to serviced apartments, aparthotels, and any residential accommodation let on a commercial basis. The responsible person — the operator, property manager, or owner — has a legal duty to assess and mitigate fire risk within the premises.
For upholstered furniture, the relevant standard is CRIB 5 under BS 5852:2006. This applies to all upholstered pieces in:
- Guest bedrooms and living areas
- Common areas and lobbies
- Reception and check-in spaces
- Any shared amenity spaces (lounges, co-working areas, etc.)
Domestic furniture — purchased from high street retailers — does not carry CRIB 5 certification and is not legally compliant for use in commercial serviced apartments.
The Short-Term Let Compliance Question
If a property is being let to guests for money on a regular commercial basis, it is being operated as a commercial premises. Local fire authorities have the power to inspect and require compliance. Standard residential home insurance does not cover commercial letting activity, and policies typically require evidence that furnishings meet appropriate fire safety standards.
What Type of Furniture Do Serviced Apartments Need?
Serviced apartments require furniture that balances three things: it must feel like a home, perform like a hotel, and comply like a commercial premises.
The furniture categories required in a standard serviced apartment include:
- Bedroom: Bed (CRIB 5 certified if upholstered), bedside tables, occasional seating or ottomans (CRIB 5 if upholstered)
- Living area: Sofa or lounge seating (CRIB 5 certified), occasional chairs (CRIB 5 if upholstered), coffee table
- Dining area: Dining table, dining chairs (CRIB 5 if upholstered)
- Kitchen: Stools at a kitchen island or breakfast bar (CRIB 5 if upholstered)
Specification by Room
Bedroom Specification
The bed is non-negotiable as the centrepiece. For serviced apartments, an upholstered bed with a statement headboard signals quality and differentiates the space from a standard rental. CRIB 5 certification is required. The Bowery Bed from Industrious Decor is a popular choice for serviced apartment operators seeking a design-led, compliant bedroom anchor piece.
Living Area Specification
The sofa is the centrepiece of the living area. For serviced apartments, choose a sofa that feels genuinely comfortable for extended sitting — full-depth seats, good back support, durable upholstery. CRIB 5 certification is required. Consider performance fabrics that resist staining and are easy to clean between guests.
Dining Area Specification
Dining chairs should be CRIB 5 certified if upholstered. Dining tables should have surfaces resistant to heat, moisture, and scratching — guests will use them for both eating and working.
Build-to-Rent: Furniture Specification for BTR Developments
Build-to-rent (BTR) is one of the fastest-growing segments of the UK residential property market. The shared amenity spaces — lobbies, lounges, co-working areas — are commercial premises and require CRIB 5 certified furniture throughout.
For BTR developers and operators, volume is a key consideration. Furnishing a 150-unit BTR scheme requires consistent specification across hundreds of apartments, with delivery timelines coordinated against practical completion dates. Industrious Decor works with BTR operators on volume projects. Contact trade@industriousdecor.com to discuss your development.
Budgeting for Serviced Apartment Furniture
Budget specification (studio or 1-bed): £2,500–4,500 total
Mid-market specification (1-bed): £4,500–8,000 total
Premium specification (2-bed): £8,000–15,000+ total
For volume projects, trade pricing from Industrious Decor provides significant savings over per-unit retail pricing. Contact trade@industriousdecor.com for a project quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Serviced Apartment Furniture
Does a serviced apartment need CRIB 5 furniture?
Yes. Any property let commercially to guests is a commercial premises for fire safety purposes and requires CRIB 5 certified upholstered furniture.
Can I use Ikea or John Lewis furniture in my serviced apartment?
Domestic furniture from high street retailers does not carry CRIB 5 certification and is not legally compliant for commercial letting. Using it also risks invalidating your insurance.
How often does serviced apartment furniture need replacing?
Contract-grade furniture should last 5–8 years in a well-managed serviced apartment. Domestic furniture in the same environment may need replacing every 2–3 years.
Where can I buy CRIB 5 certified furniture for my serviced apartment in the UK?
Industrious Decor supplies CRIB 5 certified contract furniture for serviced apartments, aparthotels, and BTR developments from stock, with fast UK delivery and trade pricing available. Contact trade@industriousdecor.com.
Summary
- Serviced apartments operating commercially require CRIB 5 certified furniture — domestic furniture is not compliant
- This applies to short-term lets, aparthotels, and BTR developments as well as traditional serviced apartment operators
- Specify by room: bedroom, living area, dining area, and kitchen each have distinct requirements
- Contract-grade furniture costs more upfront but lasts significantly longer than domestic alternatives
- Volume trade pricing is available for multi-unit projects