The challenge facing any interior design company, when designing properties for the lettings market, is how to maximise and achieve a “great look” at a minimal cost. The majority of landlords understandably treat their property as a business, merely wanting to see the best rate of return. The tenant, on the other hand , is looking for a home! The tenant wants to feel comfortable. They will always judge style over function very critically. Our job is to achieve a balance between the two.
It is well proven that the chances of keeping your tenants in situ, and thereby reducing rent voids, is greatly enhanced by getting this balance right.
Undoubtedly, the trend over the past 3-4 years has been towards modern furnishings - simple lines, no clutter and neutral colours such as brown, beige and grey. This allows the tenant to add their own colours using their own accessories such as scatter cushions, paintings, coloured bath towels, etc. The problem is, almost every property looks the same! There is no differentiation.
We hope we have started a new trend. We are now carefully injecting more colour into our schemes by the use of reds, greens and blues. The last flat refurbished in this way rented out within 2 days (being different to the other competition created the desired bonus!).
When furnishing properties, I think there are a couple of pieces of furniture that should certainly have money spent on them:-
A good comfortable mattress - it does not cost a huge lot more but is well worth the additional money to ensure your tenant has a comfortable nights sleep.
Secondly, a good quality sofa – a minimum 180cm or preferably bigger, so that two people can comfortably sit down.
A comfortable and happy tenant will want to stay!
Furnishings 4 Landlords is a specialist company which offers a bespoke service supplying you with furniture, carpets, curtains and a painting and decorating service. We visit your property and determine exactly what is needed.
Our service ranges are tailored around our clients’ needs - providing full installations (furniture, carpets, curtains) to the supply of only a couple of items of furniture. This service is especially helpful for clients living abroad or those with limited time or skill available to ensure their properties have a quick turnaround after a tenancy has come to an end and a new one is about to begin.
We multiply your chances of success and provide the formula for a happy tenant, who is comfortable and wants to stay and pay you a trouble free rent.
Carol has been in the interior design service for 20 years and specialises on projects located in all the prime residential postcodes of London – there are few high end developments that do not have her label on them somewhere - (www.carolannedesigns.com) and the rental furniture business (www. F4L.co.uk).
We rely on recommendations and each job we undertake is important to us no matter how big or small.
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