Period Charm – Contemporary Style

Drwing Room Design IdeaA period property makes a stunning home. High ceilings, huge windows and period features make for very elegant living. But if you’ve bought a period property that you’re planning to refurbish and let, how can you mix the old with the new to ensure your property appeals to tenants and achieves the best asking rental?

Kitchens

Kitchens are a priority. Whatever the age or style of the property, tenants want kitchens that are functional and contemporary. Simple lines work well with more ornate period features so are a natural complement to traditional architectural styles.

Kitchen before refurbishmentKitchen after refurbishment

Bathrooms

Bathrooms too are key. A two bed property should have two bathrooms if possible – tenants expect it and it also gives you the flexibility to rent to sharing professionals. Older properties tend to have larger rooms so we often create an ensuite from space within an existing bedroom. Most tenants prefer a shower and a separate bath.

White fittings are a must but you can be creative, maybe by designing a feature wall using colourful tiles. We recently designed a feature wall using textured tiles in off white and grey to create a stunning wave design – a stylish alternative to the plain, neutral bathrooms you often find.

Period Features

Retain period features where possible. If the property has original ceiling roses and cornicing, we always refurbish where possible and if not, we’ll commission a replacement. When choosing a colour scheme, don’t think you always have to go for a neutral colour – we’re using paint colours like ash grey at the moment which give a much warmer feel to a room.

Flooring

Most tenants prefer wooden flooring for a contemporary feel – it can actually be a deal breaker for some! Carpets are fine in bedrooms if you prefer.

Living Room before RefurbishmentLiving Room after Refurbishment

The Last Word

Keep a contingency budget to cover work you hadn’t anticipated – new wiring, plastering or damp-proofing maybe. And don’t be tempted to take short cuts – a high quality finish is essential to complement the architecture of a period property and create the sophisticated look that professional tenants demand.

If you don’t have the time, or feel you don’t have the expertise to manage a larger refurbishment project, why not call one of our design team on +44 (0) 20 7319 9650 to discuss how we could help.

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Associate Director

Author: Max Prychidko

I joined InStyle Direct way back in 2008, starting my career as a Design Assistant. However, in the 17 years since then, I've honed my design skills and gathered the experience to take over as Head of Design Head and finally achieve my current role as an Associate Director. While working here, I have had the opportunity to help numerous clients create stylish and highly functional interiors that appeal to the rental market and homeowners alike. These experiences have helped me add immense value to my design knowledge and understanding of the property market. The design style I usually follow is minimalism and the use of clean lines that lead to uncluttered space and a timeless aesthetic. My objective is to enhance the property's visual experience, indoor comfort, and convenience to its optimum level. This approach helps tap the right tenant audiences and motivates private landlords and BTR developers to create stand-out interiors. The years I've spent in the interior design and furnishing industry have helped me gather valuable insights into what styles work best when putting together appealing interiors for the rental market. If you are a landlord, estate agent or BTR developer, stay tuned for my exciting design-led blogs.

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