In order to make your property appeal to the modern students, you do need regular refurbishments. This need not be expensive and does need to be more than an annual lick of paint. With the growth of custom built private student communities springing up everywhere, you have a lot of competition. Interior design is no longer a frivolous waste of money, but a great selling point. Here are the trends for this year.
Natural Texturing
This is great news for the landlord of students as it means plain and simple designs. It also means natural hardwearing substances such as seagrass flooring. Contrast browns and beiges with muted yellows and that will equally with inexpensive but sturdy furniture from which you will get many years of use. You need hardwearing and plain colours as with four or more adults in a building, your furniture will get a lot of use.
Rough Wood Furniture
Another boon for the landlord of student tenants, rough woods survive well under duress. They are resistant to most superficial damage such as coffee marks or scratches. Even when they are damaged, it won’t render the furniture useless. If anything, it might add to the overall worn and homely character of the piece. Damage to student property is less likely than it is in the general buy to let market, but you do need to be mindful of what you make available.
Ceramic Appliances
Simple and cost effective, ceramic table lights and other small electrical are in again this year. That means you can get affordable interior lighting that won’t damage easily and is cheap for your student tenants to replace. They will create a pleasant but simple living environment; lighting creates a homely feel that will draw the eye for your new prospective student tenants for the next academic year. This is especially important during the late winter and early spring when viewings take place.
Geometric Patterned Rugs
In the past, you might have decided against buying rugs as frivolous and unnecessary expenses. However, in areas of high volume traffic or places where spillages are most likely, rugs will protect your carpet. They can be washed and don’t need expensive carpet cleaners. Simple geometric designs are the fashion for this year. They draw the eye and create a focal point of a room away from all the safe and simplistic colouring and lack of patterning.
Natural Art Pieces
Art can accentuate a room and prove a break from a boring magnolia wall. Also, such an inexpensive investment could create a more homely environment. This year, the natural theme continues with simple designs such as pebbles, blades of grass or a tree canopy. Generic canvas images like this are common in furnished buy to let properties today, so why not invest a small amount in some for your student property too?