We recently took a look at some of the most popular interior design trends around today and why you should avoid them when renovating your property. Today, we’re going to continue this series so we can help you make your rental property attractive and timeless for years to come. One of the best things you can do for your rental property is to utilize a property manager. For the best property management services in Little Rock, call Real Property Management Central Arkansas.
-Faux Finishes
A faux finish adorning the walls had a big moment as the “it” trend for interior design, but that time has passed. Faux finishes evoking the look of marble or wood not only look incredibly outdated at this point, many potential renters find them to be an incredibly tacky style to the point that they will turn the renters off the property entirely.
When you set out to paint or redecorate the walls in your rental property, it’s a much better choice to go with a neutral color option that is easy to maintain. Consider shades, such as bright ivory, pale yellow, or light blue. If you’re looking for something a little fancier than paint, neutral wallpapers will age well, but many renters nowadays prefer paint. Painted walls are also much easier to touch up when a tenant moves out; whereas, patching wallpaper is basically impossible and would require it to be replaced almost entirely.
-No Window Treatments
There was a period of time when many interior designers decided to go without window treatments. This was done in an attempt to evoke the feeling and minimal style of an urban loft. However, that minimal style doesn’t work for a majority of properties. There are reasons for window treatments to be used — with privacy being a primary factor. Beyond privacy, there is the added benefit of how window treatments keep heat in the winter and keep it out during the summer. Without these window treatments, your tenants will be spending more money on their energy bills, which is hardly what you want when energy efficiency is a big selling point these days.
Window treatments are great! There are many different options available, with blinds, shutters, and curtains all adding their own character and style to a room. Choose one that is easy to maintain, cost-effective, and looks good in the environment. Just like other renovations, stick to simpler styles and neutral colors to keep a timeless aesthetic that won’t require you to repeat the process all over again in a couple of years.
-Specialty Finishes
Few things can date your property as much as specialty finishes in the kitchen or bathroom. Whether it’s a rose gold kitchen faucet or a brushed bronze shower head, not only will it be out of fashion quickly, these specialty finishes often carry a hefty upcharge as a way to cash in on the design zeitgeist. Stick with more classic styles of hardware when replacing fixtures to keep them looking nice and timeless.
-Graphic Tiling
While it can definitely look nice when done right, colorful, graphic tiling can put many potential renters off. Taking off in popularity, especially recently, you’ve probably seen tons of examples on Pinterest or Instagram and thought they looked incredible. However, it is not suited to everyone’s individual tastes, and because it is not something that can be easily replaced or changed by a tenant, you end up shrinking your pool of potential renters. There is the added factor of how poor installation can turn graphic tiling into an unsightly eyesore, no matter your taste. With how expensive and tricky this can be, it’s better to steer clear of it entirely and go with more classic flooring options that appeal to a wider range of people.
-Open Shelving
This isn’t necessarily a big design no-no, but it is one that very few people will be able to pull off. Open shelving puts everything on display, which means that it needs to be meticulously organized and consistently dusted in order to look good. This is especially an issue when it comes to open shelving in kitchens, as it will more often than not require someone to wash and re-wash their dishes often, even though they aren’t using them as intended. Similar to the hanging pots and pans we talked about in our previous post, more often than not, open shelving will look cluttered and unattractive. Quality cabinets will be a much better look, and potential tenants will appreciate having storage that isn’t on full display at all times. If there’s one thing people need more of, especially in apartments, it’s good storage options.
Renovating your rental property is a fantastic way to make it feel fresh and new while attracting prospective tenants. However, there are many pitfalls that can cost you boatloads of money and drive those tenants away. Hopefully, this series will help you make the most out of your renovation budget. If you’re looking for property management services for your rental property, call Real Property Management Central Arkansas today. Located here in Little Rock, we’re experienced and well-acquainted with the area and market. We’ll help take your property to the next level.
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