A Guide To Interior Design For Buy To Lets

Buying up properties, fixing them up and then renting them out can be a great moneymaker and an enjoyable process when you plan and execute it well. If you are a first timer to buying to let though it can be tricky as there are many pitfalls, which can turn your investment into a nightmare rather than a winner. If you are considering remodelling a property with a view to renting it out then this is the guide for you.

Budget

It’s vital that you plan your remodelling and set a realistic budget for it to ensure you make a profit in the long run. It’s a fine balance when it comes to budgeting for your interiors and any necessary renovations. On the one hand you will want any changes you make to remain in fashion and good condition for as long as possible so you don’t have to remodel again in the near future. This will naturally cost you a little more money in the present but could save you some in the future. Then there is the temptation to skim a little in the interiors to keep your budget as low as possible however this could impact on the appeal of the property for potential lodgers which could negatively impact on the amount of rent you can charge.

This is a tricky situation for landlords but my advice would be to make your interiors as high in quality as possible as this will save you money and hassle in the long run and allow you to rent out the property quicker and for a higher amount. You can then aim to save money in other ways to compensate.

Do It Yourself

So now that you are going with long lasting quality interior let’s look at some areas where you can save some money. The main area where you can make some of your budget back is to do as much of the labour involved in the remodel yourself. If you are naturally gifted at DIY or specialise in a trade then you are at an instant advantage and you can save yourself money on not having to outsource much of the remodeling work. If however, you don’t have much skill or experience with this sort of thing there are still ways for you to do it yourself. Painting, for example is something that you can learn to do yourself and as long as you protect everything and clear the room you can’t go too far wrong. You can also learn how to put up shelves and mirrors, lay wooden floors or carpets and leave the more complicated stuff like plumbing or electrics to the professionals.

A good tip to remember is to forget about fiddly things such as wallpaper for rental properties, it can be hard to put up if you don’t know what you’re doing and easily damaged which means that it will have to be replaced pretty regularly so stick to paint in every room. You will probably find that you can do most of the interior work yourself and it will cost you more in time than money, which is fine when you have a budget to stick to.

Focus On The Rooms That Sell

You’ve probably heard the old adage that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses and it remains true within the rental market as well. These rooms are often the one’s that will stick in the mind of a potential client so it’s worth investing a little extra effort and budget into these rooms. When it comes to the bedrooms people are looking more at their size than anything else so you can get away with basic flooring, a wardrobe and a coat of paint for them leaving you with more time to spend on sprucing up your kitchen and bathroom. Focus on the key fixtures such as taps, the shower, modern tiling and there is a lot to be said for going the extra mile when it comes to kitchen appliances. When it comes to these rooms it’s the little things that will catch the eye and make all the difference to a potential tenant.

You May Also Enjoy

small house bird box
Breaking News

UK First Time Buyers better off than many other global nations

Is it really that bad being a first-time buyer? UK better off than many other global nations when it comes to affordability The latest market analysis from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that first-time buyers (FTBs) in the UK may be paying 63% more to get a foot on the property ladder than they…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

Building Safety Regulator Reform

The Government has announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator, including leadership, process and investment. The changes are hoped to deliver 1.5 million homes. The reforms pave the way for creation of a single construction safety regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower enquiry. David Smith, property litigation partner at London law firm Spector Constant…
Read More
Breaking News

New anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

New anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Here, Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what…
Read More
Breaking News

What landlords need to know about the upcoming Renters Rights Bill

The government’s long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is one of the most significant overhauls of the private rental sector in decades. While it has not yet received royal assent, the legislation is expected to come into effect late this year, or early in 2026. With the bill moving closer to becoming law, Steven Bond, managing director…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals bounce back in May

The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for May sat at 63,032 up 3.9% from 60,656 in April. The monthly increase seen in May marks the end of four months of previous decline, with approval levels having fallen each month since January of this year. Approvals are also 2.5% higher than…
Read More
Breaking News

Money and Credit – May 2025

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £2.8 billion to £2.1 billion in May, following a large decrease in net borrowing of £13.8 billion to -£0.8 billion in April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,400 to 63,000 in May. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 6,200 to 41,500…
Read More