Photo by Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash

According to the Census Bureau, 36% of people in America rent their home. When you are renting, you want to be able to move into a property that is clean, well-decorated and functional. As a landlord it is important to create a space that is inviting, homely, but won’t need redecorating in 12 months time when your tenants move out. For most landlords, that means painting their property in plain, neutral colors and keeping the decor simple. There are some great ways however that you can do this, but still allow prospective tenants to personalize their space without causing damage. This will attract new tenants to your property and give you a steady stream of income.

Outdoor space
The front yard is often the first thing that a prospective tenant will see when they come to look at a property. The front yard should be neat and tidy, low-maintenance, but still inviting. If your front yard has a lawn area it is worth putting down no-mow grass seed - this will only need mowing once a month during the spring and summer, and far less in the winter. Creating a colorful yard will attract tenants, so you should plant seasonal flowers and shrubs. If you do this in planters rather than in flower beds, it will be easier to maintain for your tenants. The Windsor long planter boxes are ideal for this. Your tenants can then also do some planting of their own, keeping your property looking smart all year round.

A feeling of space
Painting the inside of your property in bright, neutral colors will help to make even a small apartment feel more spacious. White and magnolia colors may be plain, but they look clean and will be to most people’s tastes. If your tenants want to personalize their space, they could hang artwork using Command strips, which don’t damage the walls. To make the rooms in your property look light and airy, place some mirrors on the walls. The hammered copper mirrors are a good choice, and are easy to hang.

A practical kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of any home, so it is important that the space is practical and well-laid out for tenants. One of the most important things is to provide plenty of storage so that tenants can keep their cooking equipment and utensils. In a small kitchen, or galley kitchen this can prove to be a challenge, but by fitting a ceiling pot rack and a curved wall rack, you can provide some valuable storage space for pots and pans, without the need for extra cupboards. Installing bakers side shelves on the walls above existing worktops can also create extra space for crockery and serving bowls. 

If your property looks clean and manageable, both inside and out, then it will be attractive to new tenants. You can do this by keeping the yard space tidy, painting the walls in neutral colors and fitting some practical storage solutions.