Renovating a rental property is one of the best ways you can improve the value of your property. However, it can get expensive and mistakes can cause issues in the future. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the design trends you should avoid when renovating your rental property. Steer clear of these trends and you’ll be on your way to a profitable and beautiful rental property that tenants will adore. If you’re looking for something to take your rental property to the next level, you need a great property manager on your side. For the Little Rock area, you’ve got Real Property Management Central Arkansas. Call us today to learn more.
-Granite Countertops
We know what you’re thinking. You’ve seen all the home improvement and house hunting shows on TV with everyone fawning over granite countertops. While it might seem like they’re a good investment, the reality is granite counters will date your property. With just about every similar trend, just like the avocado-tinged appliances of, anything that gains that much popularity will be seen as the style of the decade, making a property feel old after years pass and tastes change. But their style being seen as dated isn’t the biggest reason you should look into other options. Granite is incredibly expensive, which means you’re reducing your potential return on investment. For more affordable and equally durable countertop options, look into marble, quartz, and treated laminate.
-White-on-White Bathrooms
A bathroom with all white decor can look incredibly clean and often dazzling to people. Some say it can help the room feel larger, as well. But the problem with white-on-white bathrooms is they only look that nice if they’re kept clean. White is not known for its ability to hide dirt and grime, which means it’s quite difficult to keep them looking spotless at all times. Instead, go with a neutral pastel color and add natural elements to the bathroom’s decor. This will reduce the overall amount of upkeep while still looking quite nice.
-Non-Eco-Friendliness
With most renters these days falling into the Millennial generation (that is, people in their twenties and thirties), many of them are looking for eco-conscious options with a focus on energy efficiency. When you make your property more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, it becomes more attractive to Millennial renters and is something you can advertise proudly.
So what should you avoid when renovating? Pay attention to the paint you’re buying and choose something with low or no volatile organic compounds (commonly abbreviated as VOCs). This paint will pollute the environment less and won’t cause issues for chemical-sensitive renters. It’s also important to consider the energy efficiency of the appliances, lightbulbs, and fixtures in your rental. To maximize the energy conservation of your property, look for the Energy Star label on these items when replacing the old ones.
-Hanging Pots and Pans
While it definitely made kitchens look more homey and accessible in the recent past, this is a trend that has not aged well. Whether they were hanging on a wall or above a kitchen island, this trend now looks dated and cluttered. Instead, easily accessible and large drawers are a much better option for storing pots and pans. Not only does it keep a kitchen looking clean, your renters won’t have to worry about bonking their head on the soup pot hanging precariously above them.
-Distressed Cabinets
Just like the distressed jeans of yesteryear, distressed cabinets were a big trend in interior design not that long ago. Unfortunately, instead of keeping their charm in the ensuing years, now they just look old and in rough shape. So if you were thinking of going with the distressed look for your property’s kitchen or bathroom cabinets — don’t! Instead, choose a neutral color or finish for the cabinets. Avoid going too light, because just like the all-white bathrooms we talked about earlier, they’ll end up showing dirt, dust, and wear much more than something darker. However, don’t go too dark, as something like dark gray or black will make the room look and feel smaller. Stick to light or medium walnut or pine stains. If you want to paint, go with basic colors like ivory or gray-blue.
We’ll be taking a look at some more design trends that you should avoid in the future, but we hope this gets you thinking about ways to make your rental property more desirable to potential tenants. If you’re looking for property management services, don’t just search online for “property management near me”. Instead, go with the experts at Real Property Management Central Arkansas. Located here in Little Rock, we’re incredibly familiar with the area, the market, and the people looking for a property to rent. So if you want to take your rental property to the next level, call us today!
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