How to furnish an apartment for rent? Interior designer’s tips.

An apartment intended for rent is designed differently from one intended for personal use. It’s not just about creating aesthetically pleasing photos for the rental listing. So how can you make an apartment attractive to potential tenants, and what materials should you use?

How to furnish an apartment for rent to make it attractive to tenants?

Remember that you should design the apartment with specific tenants in mind. So don’t start by choosing wall colours or decorations. The first thing you should think about is your future tenants. When deciding who you want to rent the apartment to, consider:

the apartment’s location,
its size and number of rooms,
access to public transport,
proximity to universities, offices, or schools,
the standard of the building,
the rent level,
the furnishings and amenities of similar apartments in the area.

Then define your target audience.

A Studio Apartment in the City Centre

This type of space will be suitable for a single person, as well as a student. It is therefore worth including a dedicated area for working or studying and, above all, sufficient storage space due to the limited floor area.

An Apartment Near a University

If you own a property close to a university, students will be the natural target audience. The apartment should also meet their needs — a desk, good lighting, and easy-to-clean surfaces will be useful, so that keeping the apartment tidy takes as little time as possible.

A Larger Apartment on the Outskirts of the City

This type of space will be suitable for couples and families. In this case, the apartment should feature plenty of built-in storage, a functional kitchen, and durable materials that are also suitable for children.

What Interior Style Should You Choose for a Rental Apartment?

Once we have made our decision and know who our tenants will be, it is time to choose the style in which we will design the apartment. For a rental apartment, a neutral and timeless interior works best. Here are three styles that are particularly well suited to rental properties:

Minimalist

A minimalist interior is simple, organised, and free from unnecessary elements. Thanks to its neutral base, it can easily appeal to a variety of tastes, which is a major advantage in a rental apartment.

Scandinavian

The Scandinavian style has been popular for many years and works particularly well in rental apartments thanks to its versatility. Light colours, natural materials, simple furniture, and cosy acces

Japandi

Thanks to its character, this style can appeal to a wide range of people. Japandi combines the simplicity characteristic of Japanese design with the warmth and functionality of Scandinavian style. The result is a calm, organised, and timeless interior.

However, it is worth avoiding designing an interior around short-lived trends.

How to Design an Apartment That Is Easy to Keep Clean?

Regardless of the purpose of the apartment, it is worth designing spaces that are easy to keep clean. There are many solutions available on the market that can help the home look cleaner while reducing the time needed for cleaning.

A great option is the increasingly popular anti-fingerprint fronts. These are furniture surfaces coated with a special finish that helps prevent fingerprints and smudges.

When it comes to flooring, vinyl flooring is a good choice, as are subtly speckled or patterned tiles, which make minor dirt and signs of everyday use less noticeable. The aim is not to hide dirt, but to maintain a neat appearance between cleaning sessions.

The skirting board is also an important detail. It is best to choose a rounded profile, on which dust is less likely to accumulate.

What Is Worth Saving on When Planning a Rental Apartment, and What Isn’t?

You can look for savings in the following areas:

decorations,
cushions and textiles,
artwork,
accessories,
some freestanding furniture,
bathroom fixtures (toilet bowl, washbasin).

However, it is not worth cutting costs too much on elements whose replacement would later be expensive or difficult.

This includes, among others:

flooring,
doors and door frames,
kitchen cabinetry,
countertops.

Summary

The entire process, from design to renting, can be summed up in a few simple principles:

Think about and define who you will be renting the apartment to.
Analyze the competition.
Opt for a neutral base, but add an interesting element.
Choose materials that are easy to keep clean.
Don’t cut costs where potential repairs could be very expensive.

Planning an apartment for rent? Book a free consultation and design an interior tailored to your tenants’ needs before you start shopping and renovating.