Tweet

Thu 26 Mar 2020

As a landlord, you could be forgiven for thinking cheap and cheerful décor is best for your rental property. After all, tenants don’t stay forever and it can be difficult to cater effectively to a range of different tastes. 

And, with the other costs that come with keeping a property well-maintained and prepared for new tenants, adding expensive furniture and fittings to the mix could be seen as counter-productive.

Luckily, with thorough preparation, research and the right styling, you can keep your rental property in top condition for your tenants without breaking the bank.

As West Lothian’s first dedicated lettings agency, we list four interior design tips for landlords to consider before renting out their property.

Flooring

This may seem like a tricky one, as both carpets and wooden flooring have their share of pros and cons.

Carpet can be easy to replace, is comfortable to walk on, and can muffle any sound filtering downwards to properties that are below yours. However, it often requires regular replacement, and this is a cost you will need to factor in more often.

Meanwhile, wooden flooring can be expensive to fit and can also prove noisy for downstairs neighbours (if applicable). Even so, it’s easy to clean and maintain once it’s down, and can easily be accessorised with rugs of the tenant’s choice. 

If you do opt for carpets, consider darker colours and prioritising really good underlay. For flooring, though, consider laminate in the kitchen, bathroom and hallways, as it’s easy to clean and doesn’t rip or wear.

Décor 

Painted walls are the most popular option among landlords as they’re easy to maintain, clean and touch up. But that doesn’t mean you have to stick with magnolia.

While you want to stay as neutral as possible, adding a bit of personality with a splash of colour in other light shades, or the odd accent wall, can attract the right tenants. Consider water-resistant eggshell or acrylic paint in the kitchen and bathroom to create bright and airy spaces.

If you have several rental properties, consider using the same colour and paint brand in every property so you can hold onto a few tins for whenever a touch up is needed.

Kitchens

As with all homes, the kitchen is likely to be one of the key rooms in a rental property and can easily begin to look worn from constant use.

Before you decide to rip out a dated kitchen and start again, consider replacing the cupboard doors and work surfaces – this could be enough to give the room a fresh look. 

If you have a new-build or modern property, try to keep the style contemporary but classic. If it’s an older house or a family dwelling, it’s best to go for something with plenty of storage that still complements the property.

Also, when picking appliances, think about quality, ease of replacement or repair and durability. Provided you get the look and quality spot on, prospective tenants will find it hard to say no to your property.

Bathrooms

Regardless of the style of property or your target market, a bathroom must be clean and in full working order.

It can be beneficial to opt for an electric shower so that if something goes wrong with the boiler, your tenants will still be able to have a hot shower.

Even if there’s some colour elsewhere in the property, many landlords stick to a classic white suite every time to ensure the bathroom is both clean and functional. 

Ultimately, you want to make sure that your rental property is clean and presentable throughout, while still being safe and secure for tenants. By taking the above tips into consideration, you can present an attractive home to renters and command competitive rents with the help of your letting agent.

Here at Letting Solutions, we have the knowledge and expertise to ensure you get the best possible results from your rental property. To find out more about our services, please get in touch with us on 01506 425693.

We also provide a free and instant online valuation to give you an idea of how much you could be charging in rent each month.