Redecorate Living Ideas

last year

Hi all, I'm looking for design ideas on how to redecorate this lounge for a rental property. It's a small cottage (2 up 2 down). I was thinking to repaint everything “white” for the rental market. Not sure how to stage/layout furniture in the room. Ideas will be welcomed. Having cleared out the property & will be starting the cleaning stage so I thought I'd see some design advice from Houzz. Thank you.

Featured Answer

kazzh

last year

As a renter please no grey or stark white! Stark white is a bit of a personal taste, and grey is just too much now. ( a bad grey choice can be too cold and too much all over!) Both can be too limiting with furniture options. I would prefer my own furnishings - i'd be too worried about damaging a landlords furniture with spills and general wear and tear. Sonia's soft sage is really good - soft rather than stark, bright and lifting and not cold.

If you are wanting to bring the rooms forward in time, i would consider removing the dado strip so walls are unbroken, a new light fitting that doesn't hang so low, decorative but not 'utilitarian'.

So prefer to see a prospective property that is modern but not too much in a designer style, that I can see myself living in with out having to change all my furniture or linen!

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Comments (12)

PRO
Create Perfect
last year
White is not really the best option here - not alone anyway. It quickly looks dirty and shows marks so you may need to repaint lots of coats very regularly.

I would begin with the layout and then let that determine what paints you could put places. You are also more likely to get a better response if it has some sort of planned designer feel rather than just white everywhere which looks plain and uninviting.

For layout, if you are doing it yourself rather than a designer, I would begin by drawing it up in scale on a design app or on graph paper - you can then work out the size of seating (if it's a 1 bedroom flat which is a double then try to seat 2-4 people for example) so do a scale sofa or chairs, a dining table and so on. You can then move these around the room to work out where walkways look best and where you can get the most into the space comfortably.

For most rentals we look at maximising storage in clever ways - as best we can. As we have found this is what renters are looking for when looking at furnished properties.

Hopefully that all make sense and gets you started with your property. Thanks, Gina
Sonia
last year
I think a neutral pallet is always good for a rental. There are some lovely off whites, taupes and beiges which can create a warm and cosy feel which will suit most furniture. When I rented out my mum’s house we just painted everything a simple, very pale cream, but most importantly we rented it out unfurnished. I supplied the kitchen goods - cooker, fridge, washing machine and renters brought in their own furniture. We never had a shortage of renters. Would that be something you would consider? I would suggest you also use a good property rental management company to manage it for you as it will give you peace of mind. Good luck with your project. Here’s some nice neutral schemes.
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You said you bought a new cream Queen Anne chair , so is that in addition to the striped one as well? IF yes, then you may be tied into a purple/brown/gold theme. The black furniture will work in the room. IF you are replacing the striped chair with the off white Queen Anne , then you could do purple/ gray/ black colors. Here are some inspiration ( color wise) photos: Purple with brown Purple with gray/black. I think an area rug will tie all your colors together , so find a large one that works in the color scheme you choose.
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Lisa D
last year
I use white, magnolia, or pale grey in rental. Generally the stuff you can get in trade sized tubs. Young people like grey, older magnolia. But for a rental just being clean with fresh decor, good floors and good looking and functioning kitchen and bathroom is the main thing. Doesn’t need to be top of the range.
Malcome A
Original Author
last year
Thanks all. Loads to consider. 🙏
PRO
User
last year
White can be stark but off white is a good choice. I prefer plain walls then you can add colour with art prints.
PRO
The Living House
last year
Hi plusmarcus, a neutral colour palette is always going to please more people. Staging the furniture is a great idea as it really gives potential renters an idea of how they could live in the space and how it will work for them rather than it being empty. We would recommend painting the dado rails the same colour as the walls if these are staying to help these blend in. If you do opt to go for a neutral paint colour we recommend choosing a colour with warmth so it is inviting rather than a bright white. We hope this helps!😊

If you would like any guidance and help with your rental, we are an affordable online interior design company offering expert advice with affordable packages. Heres the link to our website if you would like to take a look - https://www.thelivinghouse.co.uk/

You may also find our Facebook group community helpful, its another place to ask questions and gain free advice from like minded interior lovers and us as experts! Here is the link if you would like to join - https://www.facebook.com/groups/interiorhomedesignadviceandsupportuk
Eileen Nixon
last year
I have found the simplest way possible is to keep as neutral as possible. Is it in your rental agreement that your tenants can paint any colour to their taste when they move in which means your good taste in decor may be wasted when your tenants paint the walls ‘coronavirus blue’ as was the rage in the pandemic. (What were they thinking?). Just as an aside, make sure your tenancy agreement states that the walls should be repainted to the original colour when the tenant leaves so you are not left with extra expense repainting the ‘feature walls from hell’ believe me it happens! Good Luck.
Malcome A
Original Author
last year
🤣🤣 Thank you. Great advice and lots to consider in the future.

I went for all white this time round as I got pretty lucky when the tenants offered to decorate the house when the estate agent told them that the property wouldn't be available straightaway.
Kimberly MD
last year
I think it looks terrific. Thanks for posting the update!
Sonia
last year
Looks like a different house! Well done.
kazzh
last year
So simple, yet so effective. Your choice of white was spot on and it doesn’t look harsh as some of the brilliant whites can be. 👏

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