Buying or Renting Decorations: Which Option Is Right for Your Project?

Published on October 7, 2026

Buy, rent, or lease-to-own: Find out which seasonal decor option best suits your project, budget, and goals.

ANNIE BEAUVAIS

Sales & Marketing Director

Are you trying to decide whether to buy, rent, or finance your seasonal decorations over time? The wrong choice can lead to unexpected costs, a lack of flexibility, or maintenance and storage responsibilities you didn’t anticipate.

At Leblanc Illuminations, we work with municipalities, community development corporations (SDCs), shopping centers, businesses, and organizations to help them choose lighting displays that are tailored to their location, budget, and objectives.

In this article, we compare the three options—purchase, lease, and lease-to-own—based on their advantages, disadvantages, flexibility, long-term costs, and the types of projects for which they are best suited.

Purchase
Overview	Purchasing these products is an excellent long-term investment. You own the products and have complete freedom to reuse them season after season. Our team will guide you in selecting the products best suited to your site and your project.
Benefits	A unique concept, customized to your tastes Access to a wide selection of decorations and lighting Unlimited creative options, including fully custom designs The most cost-effective solution in the long term Full ownership and the freedom to reuse it season after season The freedom to customize, expand, or update your collection at any time No recurring rental fees Products that can be stored and reused over several seasons Eventually, the decorations can be moved, recycled, sold, or donated to other organizations (SDC, shopping centers, hospitals, charities) In certain regions, it is possible to obtain a service agreement that includes transportation, installation, dismantling, maintenance, and storage
Disadvantages	Higher initial investment Requires adequate storage space between seasons The owner is responsible for maintaining and replacing damaged parts Less flexibility when changing themes from one year to the next
Ideal for	Customers planning recurring annual programs with a consistent theme and a long-term budget strategy.

Rental
Overview	Renting is an ideal solution for customers who want to update their decor regularly without having to commit to a purchase. It allows them to explore different themes and styles from one year to the next, ensuring their displays are always attractive and up-to-date.
Benefits	Low upfront costs — no major investment required Option to change the theme each season Packages designed to make transportation, installation, and storage easier; self-installation is possible if desired Optional service fees: Choose your own team or hire Leblanc Illuminations Turnkey options (installation, dismantling, maintenance, storage) are available in certain regions Ideal for one-time events or short-term projects (2 to 3 years) No maintenance fees during the lease term Available Redemption Options
Disadvantages	A more limited selection of decorations (see rental brochure: winter, holidays, summer, events) Higher cumulative cost over several years compared to purchasing Fewer options for customizing or modifying the decorations Product availability may vary depending on the season or time of year No ownership of the assets at the end of the lease term
Ideal for	Customers who want variety each season, are working on a one-time or short-term project, or prefer a fully managed experience that requires little effort on their part.

Rent-to-Own
Overview	Lease-to-own combines the benefits of both options: you gain access to high-quality decorations from the very first season with low upfront costs, while working toward full ownership. A fixed annual fee is set for a period of 2 to 5 years, at the end of which the items become your property in full once you’ve paid the buyout amount.
Benefits	Low upfront costs — no major investment required Fixed annual fees over 2 to 5 years — a predictable and manageable budget Full transfer of ownership at the end of the agreed-upon period Instant access to high-quality decorations starting in the first season Ideal for those on a tight budget who want to become homeowners Personalized support and follow-up throughout the entire period Option to adjust or expand the collection during the term of the contract
Disadvantages	Multi-year contractual commitment Total cost slightly higher than direct purchase over the term of the contract, due to financing charges Less flexibility to change your plan during the commitment period Ownership is transferred only at the end of the agreed-upon period, upon payment of the balance of the redemption value. Maintenance costs to be borne by the landlord once the lease term has ended
Ideal for	Customers who want to gradually build home ownership with a fixed, predictable annual budget and without a large initial investment.

The right choice between buying, renting, and renting-to-own depends mainly on the duration of your project, your initial budget, your need for flexibility, and your ability to store or maintain your decorations.

If you’re planning a recurring program with a consistent theme, purchasing may be the most cost-effective option in the long run. If you want to change the decor regularly or minimize internal responsibilities, renting may be more appropriate. And if you want to gradually become a homeowner without a large initial investment, a rent-to-own arrangement may be a good compromise.  

Your next step is to assess your site, your timeline, and your budget goals.

Not sure which option is best for your project? Contact the experts at Leblanc Illuminations today to compare solutions and get a recommendation tailored to your needs.

Did you like this article? Share it!