The article presents major changes in the equipment of farmers’ households in durable goods, comparing it with the households of other social and professional groups. Changes in agrarian structure of rural areas are pointed out, as well as the fact that the group of farmers’ households shrank in the years 1999-2007. Based on a survey by CBoS, the authors indicate that the number of managers, specialists, creative professionals and administration staff owning land in rural areas (more than 1 ha, which entitles these individuals to farmer rights) is growing. In a methodological part of the article, the types of agricultural holdings are described, as classified by a. Woś and J. Wiklin. it has been emphasized that types of agricultural holdings differ in terms of development potential and, consequently, in the household consumption level. The article also discusses characteristic features of households of workers and those of persons working for their own account. Functions of households as consumers have also been presented.