Update your buy-to-let in London with these simple interior design tips

Refurbishing your buy-to-let in London between tenancies is a great opportunity to give your property a stylish make-over that will pull the tenants in. 

Here’s how you can adapt current interior design trends to give your buy-to-let properties an instant makeover:

Walls 

For years, landlords have been advised to stick to neutrals. More recently, bold colours are also popular while neutrals are branching out. You’ll need to risk tinted neutrals or your property will look dated. Sage is tipped for the top slot, followed by soft mustards, jades, olives and earthy tones. Dark and stormy is still trending particularly when used on staircases, feature windows or woodwork to bring graceful definition to a space.

Feature walls are a good place to bring in texture. Papers which imitate marble, wood or metal will add the wow-factor to any room. 

Flooring 

Grey is perhaps the colour of the moment for floors. In both vinyl and laminate, shades vary from deep charcoal to the pale and subtle. With countless different textures, you’ll be very much on-trend. If you want to go vintage, terrazzo is back!

Bathroom 

Bathrooms need frequent revamping, especially in rental properties, but instead of going for white tiles and the cheapest basin, why not go for upmarket bucket sinks and easily maintainable walls of richly textured tiles with metallic accents? A stylish bathroom will really appeal to potential tenants. 

Kitchen 

You might be able to get away with slapping on a coat of emulsion but replacing the cupboard doors or work surfaces is sometimes the quick fix that will take your buy-to-let to the next level. Again, opt for texture and colour, and choose smart brass handles as these will modernise the look and feel of the kitchen. 

Furnished properties 

Pale wood is out, so don’t replace tired pale furniture with more of the same. Instead, bring in fashionable dark wooden pieces. Keep your eyes open for the most sought-after look of all - dark wood with a bit of metal - chrome legs or brass handles, for example. 

Rather than paying for brightly coloured blinds and curtains, use must-have bright colours to create small and intense focal points. A couple of chairs, or lampshades and cushions in burnt orange, jungle green, peacock blue, wine, tomato red or ochre will do the job. Keep blinds and curtains neutral in colour but incorporate colour by way of a few standout pieces of furniture or cushions. 

Kerb Appeal

Approx 93 per cent of the nation are more likely to attend a viewing if the house's exterior is well maintained, so don’t forget to give the front exterior of the property a good tidy up for a great first impression.

Revamp the front door - black, grey and white are out. Go as bright and bold as you like. Frame the door with bay trees or a fresh doormat and your buy-to-let will make a strong, positive impression even before your prospective tenant walks through the door. 

Maintain windows and paintwork, spruce up your pathway and front garden, hide the bins and fix any broken gutters, gates and fences. 

When you next come to refurbish your property get prepared by keeping an eye on trends on Pinterest and Instagram - or talk to us at Jo & Co Property Management about updating your buy-to-let property.