As a landlord whose tenants will be likely gone within a year, you probably don’t give much thought to interior design. Worry about damage and the fact that student tenants just want somewhere clean and safe to live means interior design is not on your list at all, let alone at the top of it. But interiors can be a great selling point; with it, you can attract the early-bird students. Here is how you improve the interiors without spending a lot of money.
Wall Colour Variance
Homogenised walls are dull, even when painted an attractive colour. Varying each room – even if you only use two contrasting colours – creates a much more visually appealing environment. It’s common practice today to have three walls one colour and a fourth wall a different colour, usually slightly darker than the other three. Go for slightly darker colours but not too dark. Dispense with the magnolia; it will quickly turn grey.
Tile Wet Spaces
Tiles are more expensive than paint, but they are also a more durable surfacing technique than paint when it comes to wet spaces such as bathrooms and the area around the hob in a kitchen. You will kill two birds with one stone as tiling is much more attractive than peeling or flaky paint. They will protect the walls from mould too. Both of these things are essential to keeping a bathroom looking and feeling clean, without needing an annual coat of paint.
Attractive Mirrors
Mirrors reflect light and make rooms seem bigger than they actually are. Every home should have one. You can buy them relatively cheaply and will last a lifetime when placed in the right areas. If you hang your mirrors on the colour-contrasted walls, they will certainly draw the eye. Otherwise, place them strategically where the room’s user(s) are likely to receive the most benefit from their positioning. The fireplace is traditional, as is the bathroom – but try to think of unusual places too.
Decorative Cushions
Cushions are everywhere now. They are used to decorate sofas, beds and even side boards. They draw the eye and make a room look cosy. You don’t need to spend a lot on cushions either. Most soft furnishings shops sell plain, coloured cushions at reasonable prices. The good thing about cushions is that should the cover be torn, frayed or otherwise damaged, it’s low cost to replace any number of covers.
Artificial Plants
Quality artificial plants can make a room or home look a little more inviting. Try to have one in every room but don’t go overboard. A few strategically placed fake plants in the right places will make all the difference. The benefit of fake plants is that they don’t need watering, preening, dead-heading or anything else yet they maintain the homely look.