For many, owning a residential tanning bed may seem like a decadent luxury reserved for the rich and famous, but the secondary tanning bed market, leasing, and a wide range of financing options have made them viable options for just about anyone who has the floor space to accommodate one.

Used tanning beds can be purchased when commercial tanning salons go out of business, via auction services like eBay, through local advertisements and vendors who specialize in buying and selling used equipment. The beds are often in great working condition and may need nothing more from you than new lights and general maintenance and upkeep. Unfortunately, buying a used residential tanning bed is a gamble because you don't know for sure how long the equipment will last, and it is unlikely you will receive much of a warrantee.

That leaves purchasing a new bed and either paying for it through your own savings or credit card, or vendor financing. For people with poor credit or little savings, this may not be an option.

The final option is residential tanning bed leasing. Normally for a period of 24-36 months, you sign a lease to use the bed. At the end of that period, you can return the bed to the leasing company or you may have the option to purchase the bed for a predetermined amount. This gives you the option of trying out a bed for a while, then moving on to a different model at the end of the lease period ? no strings attached. The lease payments may not cost you much more than you spend at a tanning salon now.

Owning a residential tanning bed is now an affordable luxury to more people than ever, and it is a great way to avoid scheduling conflicts that accompany the use of a commercial bed.