10 hacks to maximise space
Anyone who’s bought a property or two will know that the amount of space you see on a floorplan is only an indication of how big (or otherwise) a property feels.
Anyone who’s ever let a property will know that potential tenants are quickly put off by rooms that feel cluttered, dark and restrictive.
Making your property feel spacious, comfortable and easy to live in is vital to maximising your rental income. This is especially true in London, where space is often limited and tenants are keen to find those properties that give them a bit more room.
Shared living
If you’re letting to sharers, you’ll usually be able to get a better yield per square metre than you would if you let to couples or families. But you might need to do a bit of home improvement work to get those yields. The reason shared homes and HMOs bring in more rent is because they usually have more people living in them than other properties.
But HMO tenants are often clued-up young professionals who won’t accept cramped conditions. Their ideal home has enough space to store their things, socialise easily and relax after a long day at work.
We’ve come up with 10 home design hacks to make your property feel more spacious and maximise your rental income.
- Open plan living
Open-plan spaces are larger, lighter and more flexible than small, shut-off rooms. Look for properties that have already had internal walls knocked through, or consider doing work yourself to increase your property’s appeal. Glass doors are a simple way of giving tenants flexibility on how they use the space.
- Clever storage
Lack of storage is a problem in many rental properties, especially HMOs and flats, and tenants will snap up a property that gives them more storage than average. Look for clever ways to increase storage, such as cupboards and shelves under stairs, built-in cabinets to the ceiling and storage space under beds and sofas.
- Mirrors
Mirrors don’t give you more space, but they make the space you have look bigger and brighter. They’re especially good for perking up small shared living rooms.
- Shelving
Shelves are an essential. They make a room look cosy and homely, giving people somewhere to keep books, display ornaments and photos and tidy away clutter. Alcoves lend themselves to shelves, but they’re not the only option. Even slanted loft-room walls can work with shelves that follow the room’s natural slant — and they look creative too.
- Folding furniture
Professional tenants want homes to entertain in and many will be put off by a property without enough space for a dining table. Make small living rooms fit for a dinner party with extendable dining tables and chairs that either fold or tuck neatly under the table. TV benches can take up a lot of space too — a wall projector might just be the solution (and become a real talking point).
- Neutral walls and floors
Dark walls and patterned carpets always make a room look dark. Go for light, bright and neutral home decor.
- Clever seating
The three-piece suite isn’t the only way to seat a crowd. Corner sofas often seat more people, take up less space and act as a useful room divider. Window seats can also help add extra space (and storage) in a bay window.
- Use the walls
Think vertical. Rather than using up precious floor space, fix furniture and fittings to the walls where you can. Floating lights, shelves, flowerpots and even seating can all be a smart use of space.
- Add a mezzanine level
If you have a high ceilinged property, look at ways you could add a mezzanine or gallery. Mezzanine beds can make a cramped bedroom into a spacious double. And a mezzanine level in the living area can provide valuable extra space for storage, socialising or a guest bed.
- Make the most of your windows
Bigger windows let in more light and allow you to make the most of your space. If you can’t widen a window space, use what you have and take advantage of your natural light by replacing heavy, light-blocking curtains with blinds.
Want to know what kind of rent you can expect when you’ve done all that space-maximising work? Send us an application and our expert team will let you know.