April 12th, 2006
Decorating Solutions for rental properties
In the previous article I wrote about what to do (and what not to do) in order to attract tenants. Here you can read about good decorating solutions for properties to let.
Floors
Wooden or laminated floors are the best- carpets are not good for rental properties. You can add a rug, but make sure it’s washable and/or not very valuable..
Walls
Paint the walls with wipeable paint such as eggshell or acrylic paint. Alternatively panel them.
Kitchens
Most people are comfortable with white kitchen units. So, this is your safest bet - don’t go for red, black and other trendy colour schemes. As I’ve said in the previous article - some people love these, others hate them. Same with dark wood - I’ve been really surprised to find so many people disliking dark wood. As far as the worktop is concerned go for easy maintenance materials with a wow factor - such as stainless steel. Stone, glass & corian are nice but expensive - if they get damaged, replacing them would be rather costly. Wood requires maintenance.
Bathrooms
Natural, stony themes are the most popular - use ceramic tiles that look like stone (stone, limestone or slate). The real thing needs to be resealed regularly, so it’s a hassle. Alternatively, wall panelling can be ideal for a good-looking bathroom (not around the shower area though), and it’s cheaper than tiles. Install a power shower, built-in vanity units, wall-mounted taps etc. Generally speaking, it’s worth spending money on a bathroom.
Bedrooms
Depending on your market, provide double or single beds. Do not buy queen size beds for a double room - get king-size ones. People want space in their bed! If possible, install built-in cabinets.
Sitting/dining room
Keep it simple. Make sure the sofa you provide has machine-washable or replaceable covers. The set of dining table & chairs should complement the overall scheme.
If you’re still not certain or confident as to how to decorate your property to attract tenants, contacts us and we’ll be able to give you professional advice and put you on the right path. If you don’t have time or the inclination, we can provide a full design and furnishing service that fits your budget. Contact us with your details and we’ll get back to you.