I was amused when reading that in 1956, the Camiso family bought the one millionth post-war home in Toronto. It was such a big deal that then mayor Fred Gardiner (that’s right, the same guy as the Expressway), came with a group of councilmen to celebrate the purchase. It was a big deal. Post-war houses were being developed especially for the thousands of war veterans coming back from WWII.

The aforementioned home cost the Camisos $16,500. That would be $190,500 in 2026 dollars. While it looks cheap, back then, $16,500 was a lot of money. For newly built homes, furniture was required, but was an expense layered on top of an already large investment. The new concept of flexible furniture rental was born.

New suburbanites could rent furniture in Toronto for as low as $25.00 per month. What was especially attractive was the option to purchase, with 100% of the rental cost counted towards the purchase. Returning veterans did not necessarily require credit, just a steady job. The best part was that after the rental, families earned a positive credit score to help with future purchases. Rent-to-Own emerged as a big industry for those who did not wish to buy their furnishings, but rather use them temporarily. Presently, the furniture rental is an over $55 billion USD industry.

Now back to the Camisos. For those interested, they bought their famous home in a brand-new development named “Wishing Well Acres”, located in northwestern Scarborough on Beacham Crescent. Many things have changed since then, but one thing has stayed constant, furniture rental in Toronto is a financial resource that eases credit lines and provides flexibility. 

Furniture Rental is designed for anywhere from short-term to long-term rentals with easy monthly payment options that conserve capital, offer flexibility and enhance the in-person experience. With companies advancing their return-to-office, furniture rental offers a strategic asset management capability for newly leased or refreshed office spaces. Executive Furniture Rental’s services are available in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.

Written by: Mark Miller

Renting Is the Smart Choice.  We would be delighted to assist you. Please contact us:  info@execfurnrent.com

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