How many times have you heard 'it's just a rental - just paint it white and install basic features'... well it's no surprise that we strongly disagree with this statement! Designing for an investment property doesn't have to be boring, nor does it have to be expensive. Implement these 5 top tips in your investment property and you'll have a property that's practical, stunning and doesn't break the bank.
1. Play with Patterns and Textures
Add visual interest and depth to your spaces by incorporating a mix of patterns, textures and furniture pieces. From prints to tactile fabrics, to mixing and matching your furnishings, different elements add dimension, personality and makes your space feel unique. Everything matchy matchy can look flat and a bit soul-less. Whether it's a vibrant piece of artwork, a quirky accent chair, or some simple textured curtains, don't be afraid to make a statement - after all it's not permanent!
tml top tip - when shopping around for these items, make sure you have a money saving plug-in such as 'honey' installed on your device to automatically apply discounts at check out!
2. Detail, detail, detail!
Don't let the finishing touches dull your whole project. Overlooking items such as light switches, sockets, door handles and taps can really take your project from a 10/10 to an average 5/10. When coming to the end of the project you'll be creeping closer to your budgeted figure and you might be tempted to start penny pinching at this stage, looking for ways to save costs. However, as small as these items are, they make an impression for those viewing the property about the quality of work that's been done that you can't see. In the grand scheme of things, spending a just a bit more on these finishing touches is not going to make a big dent in your budget, but WILL make a big impression.
3. Embrace the Power of Light
Just like a ray of sunshine brightens up a room (and your mood), strategic lighting can transform a space. Opt for a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create layers of illumination that enhance the atmosphere - we have a really handy blog post dedicated entirely to lighting, read it here.
If you're struggling to decide what lights need to go where, walk through your floor plan and even grab a deck chair and sit in your project imagining how the space will be used. This will really help with choosing the type of lighting as well as the positions to place them.
Pssst be brave with an oversized statement light! This will make your spaces feel way more luxurious than a light that’s too small, so remember to go for it!
4. Choose a Cohesive Colour Palette
We've mentioned already that we're not a fan of painting the place all one shade of white, but too many different shades of colours can make a space feel jumbled and amateur. Firstly you need to think about your target market - if you don't know how to do this check out our resource here. Next, think about about the feelings you want to evoke in each room, for example you probably want a calming feel for in the bedroom. Finally, take note of the direction of the room, is it south facing or north facing? All of these factors should be considered before choosing your colour palette as they all have an influence on the choice.
tml top tip : Coat Paints are really good at helping you choose colours that compliment each other but also colours that work best in different lighting. We also love using their paint in general!
5. Make a Plan and Stick to it
Saving the most important til last - planning your project. Without a plan you're set to fail - well, that might be a bit harsh, but you're definitely set to end up with a project that doesn't look well thought out and probably costs more than you hoped.
A plan helps everyone...
It helps you to visualise your space and keep in budget.
It helps your trades people to accurately quote their cost and time.
It helps tenants as they end up with a home that's enjoyable to be in because it's well thought out.
Pull any inspiration you love from magazines, Pinterest boards and instagram posts as a first point of call, then edit these ideas down into the actual item you want to source. If you haven't downloaded it already, our 'Style my Property: Moodboard Guide' is an amazing resource to help you create a mood board of dreams. Pssst it can be re-used over again and again, so take it with you for every project!
Have we convinced you to step outside the landlord comforts of a white box with basic features? We hope this blog has demonstrated the small things you can do to improve the standard and design of your property.
We love seeing all your projects so please tag us over on Instagram @themodernlandlord!