Decorating a rental property is very different to decorating your own home. While glamming up your own abode is a way to express your taste and personality, with a buy-to-let property you’re trying to create something that suits everyone, will withstand potentially unruly tenants, and on a tighter budget. Whether you’re a new landlord and need some advice on where to start with decorating or even if you’re an experienced landlord and just need some fresh ideas, then we’ve put together some tips and ideas for you. Keep reading to get your ideas flowing…

Walls

Paint the walls neutral colours, as although it belongs to you, your tenants will want to make it their own. That means stay away from boldly patterned wallpapers, bright colours, and try keep all the walls the same colour throughout the house if you can. Unfurnished properties are the most common these days, so a theme that will go with your tenant’s furniture is important. They’ll no doubt be imagining their own belongings in the home when they come to view, so you’ll want to make this vision to come as easily as possible.

Another tip, if you have more than one rental property, paint them all the same colour so you can use the same tin whenever touch ups are needed.

Maintenance and Furniture

You’re going to want to reduce the amount of complaints from your tenants and repairs you’ll have to make. Install tough, anti-slam doors, doorknobs that aren’t going to dig holes in the walls, and try avoiding too much glass. Objects that look too breakable will put tenants off as they will worry about their deposit and you don’t want to be replacing things either. If you’re letting the property as furnished, then cheap robust furniture is preferable, but don’t have anything unnecessary. In terms of seating, leather sofas are more resistant to stains as opposed to fabric ones but can also be scratched easier- something to bear in mind if you’re allowing tenants with pets. When it comes to colour, just like walls, don’t go for anything that’s too much of a statement- plain sofas are better.

In regard to the bathroom, you should consider installing the shower over the bath as opposed to a shower tray, as the latter is more prone to leaks. Electric showers are preferable too as if you have boiler problems your tenants can still have a shower, you’ll be very grateful for this when it does happen!

Flooring

Flooring is one of the key elements of any rental property, with many aspects to consider, including practicality, durability and style, often in that order. With this in mind, you’ll want to carefully consider which option to choose, which will often depend on areas in which you’re looking to refloor. Although solid and engineered wood flooring products look incredible, they are probably best avoided in rental properties, as they are typically more expensive to buy than other options. Taking this into account, you’ll probably want to consider Luxury Vinyl Tiles, laminate and carpet as our primary flooring options.

LVT and laminate come in a range of colours and styles, including that desirable natural wood look and are more resistant to stains, liquid and general wear and tear. In addition to this, they’re also a lot easier to clean and maintain too!

Carpet is a common choice in many homes, not just rental properties, but it’s not always the most practical option, as, it doesn’t take well to spillages and stains. The last thing you want after having decorated is to have a tenant accidentally knock over a glass of red wine or drop spaghetti bolognese all over your new cream carpet, so although it may provide additional warmth, it might not be the best option for a rental property in living areas. Having said that, carpet is much better suited to stairs and bedrooms, where there is a lower risk of it getting damaged and needing to be replaced once the tenants move out.

There is really one main rule to remember when doing up your rental property: keep it simple. A fresh, clean and well finished property will be much more successful than a property that’s not been updated and has too much clutter. You want a blank canvas essentially and if you take this advice hopefully your tenants will want to stay for many years…

Have Your Say

Are you a landlord and have some tips to share with us? Leave a comment down below!

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