Top 6 Design Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make in Your Rental Property

As a rental property owner, there’s no denying that if you want to generate more money, you’re going to need to make some renovations. And the fact that Americans spend $400 billion annually on remodeling their homes goes to show you’re not alone if you’re thinking about sprucing up your Atlanta property to increase its value.

That said, most property owners are not natural home designers.

When it comes to rental property remodels, there are some things to avoid when it comes to overall design. That’s why today we’ve rounded up the top design mistakes to avoid so you can increase your property’s value, keep your costs low, and rake in as much cash as possible.

Why Make Design Changes to Your Rental?

You might be thinking that there’s no need to remodel your rental property. This is especially true if you have happy tenants currently renting from you.

However, there are several compelling reasons to consider a rental property remodel:

• Prevent costly repairs in the future
• Increase property and rental value
• Draw in higher-quality tenants willing to pay premium rent rates
• Lease your property quicker when vacant
• Increase renter satisfaction
• Improve energy efficiency and save your tenants money
• Differentiate your rental from the competition

As you can see, a rental property remodel has the potential to benefit you in more ways than one. However, it only works if you avoid these top six design mistakes.

Rental Property Design Mistakes to Avoid

1. Replacing All Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are an important part of your rental property. They also happen to be very expensive when you replace them with high-quality materials.

If you know you want to replace windows and doors on your rental property, seek a professional opinion first. An expert will be able to analyze the condition of your windows and doors before you buy new ones.

If everything is in tip-top condition, go for a fresh coat of paint instead. Just make sure to choose a neutral color that matches the rest of your property’s exterior. There’s nothing worse than clashing colors on the outside (or inside) of a rental.

2. Choosing Bright Colors

Speaking of color choices, one of the biggest mistakes property owners make is choosing colors for their rental that others may not like. Remember, you’re not the one that has to live in the property. Because of this, it’s crucial you avoid picking bright colors or detailed wallpaper.

Instead, think neutral colors when it comes to paint and home décor. For example, taupe, beige, grey, and white are all good color schemes to use. When you do this, your tenants can then add their own pops of color in a way that suits them – not you.

3. Mismatching the Style and Rental Architecture

Remodeling your Atlanta rental property gives you a chance to change up its entire style. That said, before you jump in and start making major changes, it’s important to evaluate the architecture of your rental first. If you do a remodel that doesn’t fit the structural style of your property, you could end up decreasing its overall value. Plus, you could turn away potential tenants.

A good example of this is adding a swimming pool to your rental. Swimming pools are a great amenity that many tenants look for, especially in hotter areas. But if you build a pool that is curvy and irregular, and you have a straight and linear property, it could end up looking out of place.

If you’re not sure what style remodel will match the architecture of your rental, consult an expert remodeling contractor. They will be able to analyze your Atlanta rental property and match your renovation goals to the overall style of the home.

4. Not Having Enough Room

When it comes to interior remodeling projects, it’s a good idea to measure everything before you make a final design decision. While adding another room, knocking out a wall, or installing new storage space may seem great at first, it won’t work if you don’t make room.

In other words, check your design plans and make sure doorways, bathrooms, closets, and halls have enough room for people to comfortably move around in. Better yet, make sure your tenants can easily move their furniture and appliances throughout the home. This will not only lead to higher tenant satisfaction, but it will also save your rental from unnecessary damage.  

5. Forgetting About Living Space

Fancy light fixtures are all the rage these days when it comes to making a property look lavish. However, when it comes to increasing your property’s rental value, light fixtures aren’t going to do it – square footage is.

Even if you’re not planning on selling your property, the more square footage it has when compared to similar properties the better. In fact, prospective tenants are likely looking at how much living space your rental has compared to the property down the street. This is true even if actual square footage isn’t a true reflection of the type of living space you have to offer people.

By adding too many fixtures to your rental, you clutter it with useless items that don’t equate with functional living space. Plus, the design could be all wrong for the people interested in leasing from you. To avoid this design mistake, opt for elegant and simple fixtures and focus on the size of your rental instead.

6. Being Too Trendy

If you plan on having your Atlanta rental property for a long time, you’ll want to avoid being too trendy when it comes to any remodeling projects you do. Trends come and go, and what tenants like today will not be what they like next year.

If you’re renovating your rental property, avoid these design mistakes at all costs:

• White-On-White Bathrooms: white-on-white bathrooms look dazzling at first. The lights, the walls, and the countertops gleam and the room looks larger. However, it’s tough to keep an all-white bathroom looking clean and can turn into a design disaster.
• Hanging Pots and Pans Fixtures: although a recent trend in the past, the design concept of hanging pots and pans in the kitchen is long gone. Instead, people view this design option as a cluttered mess to be avoided. If you want to add additional space to your rental’s kitchen, opt for larger draws that can hold pots and pans instead.
• Lack of Window Treatments: to stay minimal, many designers opted in the past to forgo window treatments in the homes they remodeled. However, these days, and likely all the days to come, tenants want blinds, curtains, and shutters on all windows in the home. Just make sure they are simple and neutrally colored.
• Distressed Cabinets: another trendy design that has long passed is distressed cabinets. Now they just look old and worn, and no one likes them. When it comes to cabinets, neutral colors or finishes are best. Be careful though. Go too light and you’ll end up with grimy and dirty cabinets. Go too dark and the room will shrink. The best options are light or medium walnut or pine finishes or ivory or gray-blue colors.
• Granite Countertops: granite countertops will date your property in an instant. Plus, it’s expensive. If you’re looking for a kitchen countertop option that’s cost-effective, durable, and stylish, look into marble, quartz, or treated laminate countertops instead.

Final Thoughts

Are you ready to remodel your Atlanta rental property but don’t want to commit one of the costly design mistakes above? Then contact us today and see how we can help.

At Halcyon Remodeling, we have a highly skilled and trusted staff that is committed to your satisfaction and getting you the best return on investment.

With over 30 years’ experience, our locally owned and operated business is known for providing nothing short of stellar customer service and workmanship. Not to mention, no matter your budget or needs, we have the resources to plan, design, construct, and manage your rental property renovation project from start to finish without ever having to involve anyone else. As your one-stop-shop for rental property remodeling in Atlanta, we have what you need to bring your vision to life and generate the highest ROI possible.