It is cost-effective to design your Honolulu rental property’s interiors to stand the test of time. Although trends may work in the short term, keeping your rental house trendy will lead to frequent & costly renovations. The most profitable rental properties have an appeal that lasts well into the future. Here are some tips to keep your rental relevant and ready for what comes next to future-proof your rental home.
Choose Classic Over Trendy
It can be tempting to please today’s renters by incorporating current fads into your rental home’s interiors or even exteriors. But to create a timeless look that will last, it’s a much better idea to stick to a simple, classic design. The classic design emphasizes the functionality and adaptability of simple, sophisticated styles. To achieve a classic look, you will want to choose neutral colors and natural materials like wood, stone, and brick. Avoid trendy, ornate designs and go for classic designs that are timeless and will surely outlast short-lived design fads. It is one way of creating a future-proof rental property.
Keep Walls & Floors Neutral
Trendy colors come and go almost as quickly as most other fads. Before you add that accent wall or repaint your property the color of the year, think of how often you will need to repaint your rental property to keep it from looking dated. If you want to give your rental home timeless appeal, stick to neutral shades in your paint and flooring choices instead. Neutral colors in your rental house provide a backdrop for your renter to furnish with pieces that reflect their personality. Soft beiges, grays, and crisp white trim become accents in a room that the resident can design to feel like home.
Invest in Good Lighting
Another way to future-proof your rental property is to make sure you use quality lighting fixtures and bulbs. For many landlords, lighting in their rental homes is an afterthought. Hoping to save a few dollars, they opt to use the cheapest light fixtures and bulbs available. While it can be true in the short term, investing in quality lighting decreases utility costs and may even increase interest in your rental house, making it easier to rent and encourage renters to stay longer. Few renters want a home that has dark or inadequately lit rooms.
Your rental will brighten up once you replace old, outdated light fixtures with new, classic fixtures. Replace tacky fluorescent lighting with clean, modern recessed lighting that is both functional and versatile. At the very least, change those cheap light bulbs for long-lasting LED bulbs. Not only will it increase energy efficiency, but it will also reduce the number of times you need to change light bulbs each year.
Add Smart Upgrades
Finally, it seems the trend of smart technologies is here to stay. You can prepare your rental property for a time when such technologies will be expected in a property by adding some smart upgrades. For example, a smart thermostat can help reduce utility costs and allows renters to control such features from a smartphone or tablet. Smart locks are also quite budget-friendly and convenient, and it gives your residents peace of mind when they are away from home.
There are a variety of smart home technologies you can add overtime or invest in at once. Depending on the location of your rental property and your target renter’s needs, it is good to start making a few upgrades before the opportunity to future-proof your home passes you by.
Would you like to learn more about strategies to make your rental home as profitable as it can be, year after year? Give Real Property Management Alliance a call! Our Honolulu rental market experts can offer valuable tips and suggestions to maximize your investment property’s potential, as well as our highly-rated property management services. You can reach us online or call us at 808-427-0611.
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