An increasing number of people are turning to landlordship as a side hustle, and even a full-time career. With a rental application taking only a few minutes at most, and housing costs being driven up every year, tenants are always seeking responsible and understanding landlords.
The potential for assured passive income is what drives most to snatch up quality rental properties, and this is definitely the best reason to jump on this bandwagon—but for those who enjoy interior design, becoming a landlord can provide a chance to show off your creativity, too.
If you have recently acquired a new rental property and want to spruce it up before putting it on the market, keep in mind that your tenants will likely take the opportunity to decorate the space and make it their own. For this reason you don’t need to worry too much about making the space look completely lived-in.
After all, people looking to rent, rather than own, are typically aware that they won’t be able to make drastic changes to the space, and as such will be less picky about their options. On the other hand, you as the landlord don’t need to feel obligated to decorate your rental property in a way that suits your tastes, since you will rarely be stopping by.
Lay Down New Flooring
Few things suffer wear and tear faster than carpeting, especially light-colored rugs. If your rental property is brand new, it might be tempting to slap some carpet down and hide the scuffed hardwood, but tenants will notice that the flooring is old—and if you need to put your place back on the market in a few years’ time, every piece of dirt, grit, and grime will be blatantly obvious.
The chances of carpet becoming destroyed is increased if you are a pet-friendly landlord. Instead of relying on rugs and carpet to hide issues with the flooring, take some time and invest the money into replacing the flooring. Laminate in the high-traffic areas of the property, including the hallways, is a good option, especially since it’s easy to clean. Laminate can be used to make a gorgeous living space.
Hang Decorative Wall Pieces
From mirrors to classic paintings, wall decor is an underrated way of livening up an interior space. If a room or entryway is particularly narrow, a stylish mirror can create the illusion of more space. So can good lighting, so consider what a soft wall sconce can do to illuminate a claustrophobic space.
On the other hand, a sparse room can feel overwhelming and unfriendly, especially if there is little to furniture during your property tour. In order to make potential tenants feel more at home, hang wall art that will enable them to visualize themselves in the space. You don’t need to break the bank searching for expensive pieces, either. Companies like Simple Canvas Prints provide art lovers with the opportunity to make affordable prints of their favorite pieces.
Give the Walls a Fresh Coat of Paint
There’s nothing better than a coat of white primer to transform a bleak or drab space into a strikingly beautiful one. In fact, changing your home’s wall color to an aesthetically pleasing shade has been scientifically proven to improve mood, boost productivity, and create a sense of peace and well-being.
For renters, a temporary space needs to feel familiar. They may not be setting down permanent roots, but they deserve to feel as though their house is a home. In order to create the friendliest and warmest atmosphere possible, light colors are best. Your tenants may choose to repaint themselves later on, but soft eggshell whites and neutrals are typically the most inviting.
