Keeping your rental property clean, accessible, and stylish is the key to attracting new renters. However, it’s not as straightforward as traditional renovations. When it’s your own home, you’re guided by your own taste in décor and tailor the design to suit your needs. Rental properties need to appeal to the evolving needs of potential renters. This is particularly relevant to kitchens. Kitchen’s are more than a place to prepare food. Whether it’s for family dinner or a weekend party, it’s a place where people gather, so if you’re looking to attract renters, renovating the kitchen is a good place to start. The good news is you don’t have to commit to a complete remodel. With just a few simple steps, you can give the kitchen in your rental property a brand new look without breaking the bank.

Opt For Secret Storage

Quality storage space is one the first things renters look at when considering a rental property. There are some features of kitchen design, such as the location of appliances, that can’t be changed (at least without paying for a complete remodel) – so the key is maximising the space available. Installing hooks inside cupboards and pot racks above the stove is a cheap but effective way to free up space. Adding rolling shelves is an easy way to build on existing storage space without impacting square footage. There are innovative storage solutions to suit all kitchen designs – the key is finding which ones work best for your rental property.

Fresh Coat Of Paint

Updating the colour scheme can give even the most dated kitchen decors a new modern look. Painting is one of the quickest, easiest and cheapest renovation options. Does the kitchen lack natural light? Shades of white, cream and taupe will make small kitchens seem bigger and brighter. What’s more, neutral colour schemes are particularly attractive to tenants as it provides them with a blank canvas in which to add their decorative touches without clashing. Or if the kitchen feels dark and cold, opt for grey, blue, red, yellow or green to create a cosy and welcoming atmosphere.

Cabinet Upgrade

Nothing makes a kitchen look dated and unwelcoming like damaged cabinets. But adding a new coat of paint to cabinets and drawers as well can give the kitchen an aesthetic upgrade. Whether the cabinets are timber or laminate – there is paint to suit every surface. If you want to avoid the hassle of painting, most cabinets are standard size, so a replacement door can easily be sourced and installed. Alternatively, if the doors on your over-the-bench cabinets can’t be salvaged with some new paint, remove them completely to create a modern and airy feel. You can even paint the exposed shelves or line the back of the shelves with colourful paper for an extra touch of style.

Boost Bench Space

Benchtops in rental properties can take a beating, and stains and scratches can be very unappealing to potential renters. If the kitchen counters are unsalvageable you have two options: replace or repurpose. Replacing benchtops is not as expensive as you might think – there are thousands of cost-effective options suitable for DIY installations. Alternatively, you can resurface the existing benchtop with a new coating, paint or contact. There is a multitude of design options to fit every style of kitchen including, marble, laminate, timber, and granite.

Update Lighting

Lighting is often overlooked when it comes to kitchen renovations, but updating the fixtures or simply switching bulbs can give a kitchen an entirely new look. Because kitchens are a task-focused area, the main source of light should be from overhead. The choices are endless when it comes to finding stylish but affordable fixtures. You might also want to consider installing dimmer switches. This added touch gives tenants the freedom of creating the perfect kitchen atmosphere.

Choose Multi-Purpose Appliances

It’s important to remember tenants aren’t just looking for a place to put their things, they’re looking for a property that will suit their needs long term. If a rental property offers features that will benefit their lifestyle, they’re more likely to apply. So if you’re doing kitchen renovations, it might be worth investing in multi-purpose appliances that offer three functions in one. For example, upgrading to a multi-function oven offers the benefits of a slow cooker, grill, and steamer without the benchtop clutter of three separate appliances.

So if you’re looking to attract potential tenants to your rental property, a few simple kitchen renovations can go a long way. If you’d like to learn more about how home renovations can add value to your home or listing a property, consider My Rental. Our friendly staff are here to help you make the right real estate choice for you as well as providing property management services that save you money. Give us a call on 1300 828 652 to schedule a chat today, or fill out this simple contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.