Most homes have a few things that sit unused for weeks or months. A kayak may stay in the garage all winter, a drill might come out once a year, and an empty parking spot can go unused most days.
Those items may bring in extra cash instead of taking up space. Rental sites and local community groups can help owners find people who need equipment, furnishings, or space for a short time.
Extra rental income could help pay for a trip, chip away at debt, or cover everyday bills. Here are 12 things you might rent out, along with places to look for interested renters.
Furniture
People often rent furniture while relocating for work, staying in temporary housing, or preparing a home for sale. If you have a spare sofa, dining table, desk, or bedroom set, check with a furniture rental business such as CORT to learn about its options.
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Sports Equipment
Outdoor gear can be expensive to buy, so some people prefer renting it for a trip or before buying. Skis, snowboards, paddleboards, surfboards, camping supplies, and kayaks may be worth listing through a service such as Spinlister or a local rental shop.
Your Car
A car that sits in the driveway during work hours or goes unused for long stretches may bring in rental income. Services such as Turo let owners list eligible vehicles for short-term rentals, but check the fees, insurance coverage, and rules before signing up.
Garden Space
If you have a yard or garden beds that you rarely use, neighbors without outdoor space may be interested in renting a plot. Post in a local gardening group, then agree on payment, access, watering duties, and whether the arrangement includes a share of the harvest.
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Parking Spaces and Garages
In busy neighborhoods, a driveway, garage, or reserved spot can be valuable for commuters or nearby residents. Services such as SpotHero or ParqEx may help you list available parking, but check local rules, lease terms, and building restrictions first.
Cameras and Photography Gear
Buying cameras and lenses can get expensive if you only need them for one project. If your gear sits unused, consider rental marketplaces like ShareGrid or KitSplit, and check their requirements for deposits, damage, and insurance.
Musical Instruments
Beginners, students, and people taking lessons may prefer renting an instrument before buying one. Guitars, keyboards, drum kits, violins, and similar items could be listed through local music schools, community groups, or instrument rental businesses.
Baby Gear
Families traveling with young children may prefer renting bulky items instead of packing them for a trip. Strollers, car seats, cribs, high chairs, and bassinets may be available in vacation areas, and services such as BabyQuip connect families with local providers that meet applicable safety and cleaning standards.
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Books
Textbooks, popular novels, and reference books may interest students or readers who need them only temporarily. Look for local book-lending groups or rental services, and check whether sites such as BooksRun and BookScouter are better suited to selling books you no longer need.
Tools for Home Projects
Many homeowners prefer renting tools for a single job rather than buying equipment they may rarely use. Pressure washers, tile saws, nail guns, cement mixers, ladders, and other project tools may interest local renters, but set clear terms and check insurance before lending anything.
Storage Space
People with extra belongings often look for affordable storage outside commercial facilities. An empty garage, basement, shed, attic, or storage unit might be rentable through sites such as Neighbor or StoreAtMyHouse, subject to your lease, insurance, and local rules.
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Bicycles
Tourists, students, and city residents may need a bike for a day or weekend without wanting to buy one. If your bicycle rarely leaves the garage, check local bike shops or a rental platform such as Spinlister, and set clear pickup, return, and damage terms.
