We spend a great deal of our time indoors. According to studies, average Brits spend 22 hours inside every day. That’s about 90% of our time. It’s a staggering stat, isn’t it?

Modern life has made it harder for us to find those special moments to enjoy the outside. We always seem to be glued to a screen, even when we’re on a walk or a run. So, if we can’t take the time to appreciate nature, we need to find ways to appreciate interiors.

For landlords, this means creating quality spaces that have huge appeal. What it doesn’t mean is having to break the bank. Getting the luxury look for less is much easier to do than you might have first thought, so don’t be tricked into believing luxury has to mean expensive.

Knowing how to make a house look luxurious, or an apartment, cottage or anything else is a matter of understanding design styles and how to use home furnishing accessories effectively.

We have a team of top interior designers who have fashioned countless rental properties to perfection. In this blog, we list some of the key ways they bring out the best in properties.

But first, let’s explain what luxury really means in the world of interior design.

WHAT IS THE LUXURY LOOK FOR LESS?

The word “luxury” is a strange one. It means different things to different people. And yet, when we think of luxury, we all have the same idea in our heads of high costs, rare fabrics and materials, and one-off pieces handcrafted by a master woodsman in a far off land.

To most people, though, luxury isn’t any of that. It’s just creature comforts like:

  • A comfy sofa
  • Soft rugs
  • Plushy cushions
  • A well thought-out colour scheme
  • And furniture that isn’t damaged or worn out

Luxury is the little things that make a house a home. Never forget that your property is being rented out to real people with real lives.

And what do they really want from a property?

A space they can be proud to call home. Something that makes them happy, and somewhere they can lose themselves in at the end of the day.

So, now that we’ve defined what luxury actually is, let’s dive into how you can get that luxury look for less.

KEEP YOUR STYLE SIMPLE...

One of the hardest things to do is keep a house looking clean and tidy. When you want to make a room look luxurious, minimalistic designs stop spaces from becoming cluttered and messy. This means it’s easier for tenants to keep their home looking spick-and-span, keeping the luxury look alive.

The minimalist trend is perfect if you’re looking for stunning but simple interiors. Neutral colours such as cream, pewter and lilac bring out the minimalistic nature of rooms, while making them look bright, airy and spacious.

Alongside some tasteful home furnishing accessories, minimalism has a simple but refined feel to it, allowing you to get the luxury look for less.

...OR GO ALL OUT

While the saying “less is more” has a lot of sway to it, sometimes it’s the opposite that’s true. If a simple style isn’t your taste, then maybe a bolder look is a better fit.

Going all out means embracing grand designs, mixing strong colours with rich textures. However, this design trend doesn’t mean you need a big budget, just an understanding of interior design and easy access to the right home furnishing accessories.

Colour palettes are incredibly important in getting the luxury look for less with this style. Deep purples and dark blues have an almost royal quality about them, so choose rich and lavish tones to get that look of modern glamour.

KEEP TEXTURES IN MIND

The look of luxury is one thing, but the feel of it is something else entirely. Comfort and cosiness are key for creating luxe interiors. When furnishing your rental property, think about using modular sofas and faux fur blankets for richness and style.

Another simple and cost-effective way to get the luxury look for less is by using home furnishing accessories such as cushions. Changing your cushions regularly keeps a property fresh and vibrant without the need for high spend or effort. Velvet and silk cushions in particular are great for making any room look and feel luxurious.

USE HOME FURNISHING ACCESSORIES TO MAKE A STATEMENT

There’s a lot of competition out there; about 2.7 million other landlords as of December 2020 if you were wondering. You need to make sure your property is the most memorable to keep potential tenants interested in your property instead of the rental down the road. If you have something unique about your property, it’s more likely to stay in mind when potential tenants weigh up their options.

Artwork always looks classy and cultured. Eye-catching pieces make a property look more stylised, so don’t be afraid of hanging pieces that are out of the ordinary. Chances are if you like it, someone else will, too.

Remember, you can make a statement with other home furnishing accessories as well. Mirrors are excellent for bringing a touch of luxury to interiors. Not only are they practical, they also make a space look a lot bigger than it really is.

If you have enough room in your property, think about hanging a large mirror to make smaller areas appear more spacious. We have a range of mirrors in stock of various shapes and sizes which also have beautiful designer frameworks to really help you get that luxury look for less.

Rugs bring everything together in a room, adding an extra layer of warmth, texture and colour. If you have the floor space, a larger rug will make a room feel more luxurious than a smaller one, and it can be used for perfectly lining up the rest of your furniture, keeping everything neat and tidy.

OUT WITH THE OLD

If you already rent out a furnished property, it can be tempting to reuse the same furniture and fittings over and over. But, styles change over time, so what worked in your property over a decade ago has probably passed its prime.

Nothing ruins a space’s vibe more than a worn and torn item that looks completely out of place. If your furniture is starting to look threadbare, you need to update it.

We carried out our own research on landlords and their properties. 94% said design was key to avoiding voids and increasing rental yields. Tenants expect a lot more from rental properties these days. And if you don’t deliver on that expectation, the landlord down the road will.

It’s best to think of these costs as an investment in your property. The benefits of updating furniture can include added premiums in the amount of rent you charge. What’s more, you can claim up to 10% back on some worn-out items from HMRC.

GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO ACHIEVE THE LUXURY LOOK FOR LESS

In this blog we aimed to show you that luxury can be affordable, and getting the luxury look for less is actually much easier than it appears on the surface. All it takes is some insider knowledge and access to a range of quality furniture and home furnishing accessories.

This is why so many landlords look to us to help furnish their rental properties. Our extensive collection adds great appeal without breaking the bank. Our interior designers are always on hand to provide guidance where it’s needed.

And if you’re looking to refurbish your rental property, the delivery and installation team will assemble and install your new pieces before removing and recycling any old items you want to get rid of. 

For more information on how we can help you get that luxury look for less, get in touch with us today.

Our recent blogs

CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK

Posted by Rachel Sharman

Visit LOFT x Grado Contract's design-focused pop up at Clerkenwell Design Week

LOFT x White City Warehouse

Posted by Ben Hall

LOFT sponsor social value project “White City Warehouse” with new Pop-Up in West London opening 5th February.