You might not think that spending time and effort on decor and furnishings for your rental property is worth it, but whilst it might not always improve the value of your property, decent decor can help improve your chances of securing the right tenant in a competitive market. So as a landlord in 2023, what can you do to improve your rental property cosmetically? Read on for some of our tips for decorating rental properties…
Furnishings
Providing a furnished property can be a godsend to tenants who are on a budget, and you can purchase stylish-looking furniture on a budget these days (Ikea is your friend!). Kitting it out also showcases your property and puts it in its best light, attracting tenants quicker.
Ensure that each room has the basics covered:
Lounge – sofa(s) and coffee/side table
Dining area/room – table and chairs
Bedroom – bed and bedside tables, wardrobe, chest of drawers
If you are aiming at students to rent your property, you may want there to be a desk and chair to meet their study needs.
White Goods
Supplying white goods such as a cooker, washing machine and fridge/freezer in your rental are appreciated by tenants and may also help to get it occupied sooner.
Decor
Generally speaking neutral is considered the best way to go as it will appeal to more people, and can be adapted to any furniture and furnishings. However, if you have a tenant who is into their interior design and decor and allow them some free-rein, you can end up with a beautiful place… see blogger Kerry Lockwood who is a tenant in a rental house and has improved it for her landlord no-end!
When choosing paint, satin is ideal as it’s easy to clean the walls in between tenancies, and is generally pretty hard-wearing, reducing the remedial work to get the property ready for the next tenant.
Flooring
Going for a mid tone carpet will hide any dirt or stains better than lighter colours. Cheap carpets may appeal to the purse-strings, but are less likely to last especially with the regular professional cleaning that comes with owning a rental. Choosing the best quality flooring you can afford will pay-off in the future. Carpets are often favoured in bedrooms, but high quality laminate, LVT or wooden floors are ideal for high traffic living areas.
