Apartment staging for rental
28 September 2021 · Report
28 September 2021 · Report
When looking for accommodation, a guest has a broad range of options: guesthouses, hotels, apartments and many other smaller properties providing accommodation services. When choosing a hotel or even a guesthouse, we know what to expect, because these properties are categorized from one to five stars in the case of hotels. The categorization rules are defined by the relevant regulations, which guarantees the appropriate space, equipment and range of services that should be provided on site. Aparthotels are not standardized and are not subject to categorization, so the final character of the apartment depends on the investor. Investing in real estate is gaining momentum. New property developments with many amenities appeal to both visitors and owners, generating stable and secure revenue. Given that property prices are forecast to continue rising, investing is becoming a secure way to allocate capital.
For an apartment to generate income, it should be properly arranged. Property owners often ask how to stage an apartment so that it attracts guests. What amenities should be introduced so that guests are willing to return and generate revenue.
Beautifully arranged living spaces catch the eye of future visitors, who are more likely to book an exceptionally attractive apartment. Owners most often commission interior designers to stage rental apartments or create distinctive designer spaces themselves, encouraging future guests with decor and amenities.
As interest in apartment rentals grows, their use and the wear of equipment increase proportionally. Just as in hospitality, it is important to remember that every guest is different and treats the apartment differently. High apartment profitability is a task for two parties: the operator and the owner. We support the investor in decisions concerning the finishing and standardization of the apartment for rental in line with the needs of future guests.
We believe it is possible to create a perfectly arranged and finished apartment, which at the same time will remain resistant to damage, wear and intensive use for a long period of time. We are pleased to share our experience and advise on how to arrange an apartment for rental.
1. Bathroom
2. Bedroom
3. Kitchen
4. Living area
5. Finishing a rental apartment
According to our research, the bathroom is the part of an apartment or hotel room that guests notice immediately after entering the room. Aesthetics and design go hand in hand with efficiency and functionality. The bathroom is an indicator of the cleanliness of the entire apartment. When arranging a bathroom, it is worth investing in proven and durable equipment. The bathroom, especially in hospitality during cleaning, is treated with strong chemicals (nothing should remind guests of previous guests), whose purpose is to thoroughly clean and disinfect the bathroom area. Such chemicals can damage delicate fittings (for example taps) by dulling or discoloring them, while using mild chemicals is not very effective and unfortunately creates a risk that the surface will not be properly cleaned. When choosing bathroom fittings, we should focus on quality and durability enclosed in good form.
Shower or bathtub? During 1 night, a guest uses an average of approx. 60 liters of water. This amount increases if the apartment is equipped with a bathtub, which in turn increases operating costs. A bathtub, however, is appreciated by families with children, so when deciding between a shower and a bathtub, it is worth contacting the operator at this stage and asking for support regarding hotel guests.
A shower is a practical and economical solution. When choosing a shower enclosure, we should focus on durability and resilience. We advise against built-in cabins with difficult access and various mechanisms which, after a few months of continuous use, may become damaged. It is worth considering simple and durable solutions. When finishing the bathroom, precise installation is extremely important; carefully check whether water spills outside the enclosure and reaches areas vulnerable to water damage; door frames and wooden elements may be damaged after just a few months.
When designing a bathroom in a rental apartment, we should consider the placement of shelves and spaces for guests’ belongings. Such amenities are important and affect comfort of use. Storage spaces and hooks are important elements.
When choosing bathroom equipment, focus on durability. Furniture and additional elements should be resistant to very high humidity, water and temperature.
We recommend equipping the apartment with small amenities, e.g. a hair dryer (it is worth choosing a typical hotel-style wall-mounted model) and a washing machine (appreciated by long-stay guests).
To keep the bathroom clean, the colors and texture of materials used in bathroom finishes are important, including grout colors. We strongly recommend dark-colored grout, especially on the floor, to avoid discoloration caused by water or chemicals. In addition, it is worth protecting wooden elements against moisture, especially standing elements adjacent to the floor, e.g. frames.
In addition to aesthetic qualities, guests also appreciate ergonomic and practical solutions. Comfortable sleep and rest are strategic matters for a hotelier. We recommend using some of the solutions from the categorization requirements for 3-star hotels. The developed requirements take into account the current needs of guests. Instead of a luggage rack, a spacious wardrobe with hangers and shelves, which can also accommodate a suitcase, will make the guest’s stay even more comfortable. Bedside tables and lamps are a “must have” in every bedroom.
When designing a bedroom, it is important to be able to darken the room or limit access to daylight. We recommend installing so-called blackout curtains, which completely darken the room. Due to their weight, proper installation on a curtain rod or rail is important. When installing a rail, choose a truly good-quality one together with solid, non-plastic curtain holders; plastic holders do not support the curtain and, when trying to move it, the curtain detaches and spoils the visual effect. It is worth considering installing curtains directly on a curtain rod or using solid metal holders, which helps avoid curtains being torn down.
The bed is an investment and the most important piece of furniture in the bedroom. A continental bed is widely recommended in the industry. It is worth choosing a solution that combines two single beds to create a king size bed with the option of separating them into two individual beds. Do not leave spaces that are difficult for the housekeeping team to access; the bed frame should be high enough to allow the floor to be vacuumed or washed without major difficulty. To achieve this effect, the bed should be 60-70 cm high. Due to intensive mattress use, it should be firmer than a home mattress.
When designing a kitchen, it is worth considering the future needs of the guest, both the one who comes to us for 1 night and the guest who spends 2 weeks with us. It is worth thinking through which amenities may not only make the stay more pleasant but also extend the “operating time” of our apartment. A hood is recommended to eliminate excess smoke and unpleasant odors; it prevents smells from spreading into the room, helping keep the apartment in good condition for longer. An induction hob is a proven solution, easy to keep clean and at the same time a device that does not draw attention. Guests increasingly appreciate the possibility of preparing a home-style meal, which is why equipping the kitchenette with an oven and microwave, or combining an oven with a microwave function, is becoming increasingly important; this saves space.
In the living space, a place to eat meals is an important element. The size of the table and the number of chairs should correspond to or exceed the number of people for whom the apartment is prepared.
When equipping the apartment with items for preparing and eating meals, cutlery, tableware, pots, etc., choose repeatable, permanent and inexpensive collections. We do not choose expensive glasses, mugs or cutlery. These items are most often damaged.
Equipping the apartment with a comfortable sofa, also one that converts into a bed, is not only a matter of guest comfort but also an additional sleeping place. An apartment with this solution can be sold at a higher rate (for more people), which affects its profitability. When choosing a sofa, it is worth paying attention to the material; it should be durable and easy to keep clean. A television in the living area is a necessity.
When choosing decorative elements, follow the principle that less is better. Choose durable elements that will not be quickly damaged, for example if they fall over. When installing paintings, posters or decorations, do not choose half-measures; mount decorations using wall plugs. Avoid small standing decorative elements with many recesses that are difficult to clean and easy to damage.
A good decision when finishing an apartment is to use good-quality materials that will keep the apartment functioning in very good condition for longer.
To ensure a consistent, neat appearance of the walls, we recommend the simplest and at the same time economical solution: using washable paints. If stains appear, the housekeeping department can quickly deal with the problem, and in the event of damage, repainting the wall is easier than, for example, removing and reinstalling wallpaper.
Floors in the apartment should be resistant to scratches, moisture, abrasion and fading. In bathrooms and kitchens, we recommend using tiles that do not absorb water and are easy to keep clean. In other areas, we suggest using panels with a high abrasion class or vinyl panels, which imitate wood very well, do not absorb moisture, and if one element is damaged, it can be removed and replaced without needing to dismantle a large part of the floor.
To sum up, we believe that it is not necessary to invest large amounts of money in finishing and staging an apartment, and the guiding principles should be functionality, aesthetics and good quality. Together with the team, we are always ready to provide advice for investors on what is worth investing inusing hard data, and we share tips that make it easier to finish an apartment in line with the current needs of guests.