Rental renovation triumph – How smart upgrades more than doubled income

In the highly competitive Prime Central London market, watching monthly rent jump from £4,100 to £8,500 is a significant achievement. At Benham and Reeves, we are an estate agency that understands how strategic improvements can boost a property’s earning power. We teamed up with our interior design and furnishing partner InStyle Direct, who delivers exactly what is needed to maximise return on investment and transform this Cleveland Gardens apartment into an irresistible listing.

The issues facing our client

Any landlord operating in Prime Central London knows that prospective tenants set the bar high. The competition also includes other landlords with sizeable budgets who invest heavily in keeping their properties up to scratch. Cleveland Gardens is in a sought-after enclave in Westminster’s W2 postcode, so it already has some advantages. However, location alone does not guarantee premium rents. We knew the property’s interiors needed to offer both an aesthetic and functional edge to stand out if the landlord wanted to see a serious increase in rental income.

How our interior design partner helped

From the outset, we recognised that the apartment’s dated décor, underuse of period features, and wasted space were holding it back. A few cosmetic changes might have pushed the rent up slightly, but we wanted a result that would truly impress potential tenants. Our furnishing partner agreed, and the landlord was excited to modernise after struggling to justify rent rises.

One of our key recommendations was to convert four smaller bedrooms into three more spacious ones. Although it sounds like losing space, this allowed for a larger master bedroom with an en-suite and walk-in wardrobe. This strategic step was an invaluable aspect of the refurbishment and demonstrated how layout changes can significantly boost a property’s appeal.

The design philosophy

Over the years, we have seen our interior design partner create incredible transformations. Their plan revolved around three main goals: luxury, liveability, and light. Every decision, whether structural or decorative, reinforced these core principles.

1. Luxury

– The affordable kind. Potential tenants appreciate a balance of sophistication and practicality. Corian, with a marble-like finish, was introduced in the bespoke en-suite bathroom to combine style and resilience.

Meanwhile, spray-painted kitchen units gave the entire cooking space a modern look. To pull it all together, the living areas took inspiration from Art Deco, injecting a tasteful hint of mid-twentieth-century glamour.

2. Liveability

Achieving a premium rent is not solely about appearances. By reimagining the layout, the apartment became more spacious and user-friendly. Turning four medium-sized bedrooms into three larger ones opened up the property and allowed extra storage solutions. The master bedroom felt airy and comfortable, and the addition of a walk-in wardrobe underlined the property’s quality.

3. Light

First impressions can make or break a viewing, so the old, restrictive staircase had to be replaced. A spiral staircase allowed natural light to reach the back wall and brightened up the hallway. Contemporary ironmongery on the connecting doors added a final flourish that made the entrance both practical and inviting.

The results

It would be an understatement to call this outcome a mere success. Thanks to our interior design partner’s expertise in implementing only the necessary improvements, the landlord saw the monthly rent more than double from £4,100 to £8,500. The flat was let to the very first viewer, illustrating the power of targeted refurbishment in securing a quick and favourable tenancy. The landlord is delighted and plans to collaborate with us again, reinforcing how worthwhile it is to invest in a thoughtful redesign.

More to come

This is just one of the properties we have transformed in Cleveland Gardens. Look out for our follow-up article, which will showcase other successful refurbishments in this exclusive corner of London and highlight how our combined expertise continues to secure impressive returns for our clients. Explore our professional property furnishing services to create a stylish and tenant-ready space.