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Most of us have things around the house that spend far more time collecting dust than actually being used. A kayak sits in the garage all winter, a power drill only comes out for the occasional project, and the spare parking space stays empty most of the week.
Instead of letting those items go unused, why not let them earn money for you?
Renting out things you already own has become much easier over the past few years. Plenty of websites now connect owners with people who would rather borrow than buy, making it possible to bring in extra cash without taking on another job.
Whether you’re saving for a vacation, paying down debt, or simply looking for another income stream, here are 12 items that can help put a little more money in your pocket.
Furniture
Furniture rentals are popular with people relocating for work, furnishing temporary housing, or staging a home for sale. If you have an extra sofa, dining table, desk, or bedroom set sitting in storage, renting it out could be a worthwhile option.
Companies like CORT specialize in furniture rentals and can connect you with people looking for short-term furnishings.
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Sports Equipment
Outdoor gear can be expensive, which is why many people prefer renting before buying.
Skis, snowboards, paddleboards, surfboards, camping gear, and kayaks are all popular rental items. If yours spends most of the year in storage, listing it on a platform like Spinlister or through a local rental business can help offset the original cost.
Your Car
If your vehicle sits in the driveway while you’re at work or rarely gets driven, it could earn money during that downtime.
Peer-to-peer rental services like Turo allow people to rent vehicles by the day, giving owners another way to make extra income without selling their car.
Garden Space
Many people would love to grow vegetables but don’t have a yard of their own.
If you have extra garden space that isn’t being used, renting small plots to local gardeners can be a simple way to earn money. Some owners accept cash, while others trade space for a share of the harvest.
Community gardening websites and neighborhood groups are often good places to find interested renters.
Related Article: 13 Items to Keep Stored for Unexpected Food Shortages
Parking Spaces and Garages
Parking is hard to find in many cities, and people are often willing to pay for a convenient spot.
If you have an unused driveway, garage, or reserved parking space, listing it on sites like SpotHero or ParqEx can create a steady stream of passive income with very little effort.
Cameras and Photography Gear
Professional cameras and lenses are expensive, making rentals a popular choice for photographers who only need equipment for a short time.
If you own quality camera gear that spends most of its time on a shelf, platforms like ShareGrid and KitSplit allow you to rent it to other photographers and filmmakers.
Musical Instruments
Many beginners aren’t ready to spend hundreds of dollars on an instrument they’re still learning to play.
Guitars, keyboards, drum kits, violins, and other instruments are often rented for lessons or school programs. If you have instruments that no longer get used, they could start earning money instead.
Baby Gear
Parents traveling with young children often prefer renting bulky equipment instead of bringing everything with them.
Items like strollers, car seats, cribs, high chairs, and bassinets are always in demand in vacation destinations. Services like BabyQuip make it easy to connect with families looking for temporary rentals.
Related Article: 15 Simple Ways to Turn Unwanted Household Items Into Cash
Books
Books don’t have to sit on a shelf once you’ve finished reading them.
Textbooks, popular novels, and reference books can all be rented to readers who would rather borrow than buy. Platforms like BooksRun and BookScouter can help you find people looking for affordable reading options.
Power Tools
Most homeowners don’t need to own every tool for a one-time project.
Pressure washers, tile saws, nail guns, cement mixers, ladders, and specialty tools are often rented instead of purchased. If your garage is full of equipment that rarely gets used, renting it out can help cover the cost of owning it.
Storage Space
Extra storage is something many people need but don’t want to pay high commercial rates for.
An empty garage, basement, shed, attic, or unused storage unit can become another source of income. Websites like Neighbor and StoreAtMyHouse connect people looking for affordable storage with homeowners who have extra space available.
Bicycles
Bike rentals continue to be popular in tourist destinations, college towns, and large cities.
If you own a bicycle that spends more time hanging in the garage than on the road, renting it through platforms like Spinlister can help it earn money while someone else enjoys the ride.
