Designing for Demand: What Tenants Really Want in 2025

By Louise Wynne, Founder of WildKind Interiors

Tenant expectations shift from one decade to another. In 2025, if your rental property isn’t keeping up, you’re likely to feel the impact in the form of longer void periods, more turnover, and a lower rental yield.

Gone are the days when “clean and neutral” was enough. If your property is going to stand out in a choice-driven rental market, it needs to deliver more than the right postcode and four white walls.

So what do tenants actually want right now? And how can you use smart interior design to give it to them. Without blowing your profit margin?

As always, read on for more info…

1. Space That Works for Real Life when Designing for Tenants

Tenants aren’t just sleeping and eating in your property. They’re working, Zooming, exercising, and sometimes running a side hustle from the kitchen table (hello Gen Z, hello women).

Design your rental property to support flexible, modern living.

What that looks like:

• Defined zones for working, relaxing, and eating; even in open-plan spaces. Particularly in open-plan spaces! If you’re doing a full refurb, can you (or a professional) make improvements to the previous layout?

• A desk space (or at least somewhere with plug sockets and decent lighting) for WFH tenants. Can you find some space in front of a window to place a desk? The amount of difference this makes to a person’s happiness is honestly off the charts compared to the effort required.

Functional layouts create comfort. Comfort creates loyalty. Loyalty = longer tenancies.

Relaxing, cooking, eating and working in one compact yet well-planned space.

2. Storage That Makes Life Easier

A lack of storage is one of the top complaints from tenants, and I can see why.

Even in 2025, there are still new build homes being built that have virtually zero space for a mop and bucket. And these are supposed to be developers who know what they’re doing. It’s mind-boggling.

Start with storage in mind and you’re one step ahead of many.

Quick, Tenant-Friendly Storage Wins (Temporary Solutions)

Ideal for furnished rentals, HMOs, or short lets where you want to add value without permanent changes:

• Ottoman beds: Storage and comfort in one. Perfect for smaller bedrooms and literally the easiest way to add the most amount of storage.

• Coffee tables with hidden compartments: Great for living rooms, especially open-plan spaces that need to feel clutter-free. There are loads out there on the market. I showed a few the other week in a blog but I love this one I’ve just discovered from La Redoute, as it’s super functional.

• Storage benches: In hallways or at the foot of a bed; ideal for shoes, bags, spare bedding, or “stuff with no home”. My daughters each have one and have done for years.

• Over-door organisers: Perfect for bathrooms or utility cupboards. No drilling needed and great in an HMO setting.

• Modular cube shelving: Tenants can personalise these, and they double up as room dividers in HMOs or studio flats.

Permanent Built-In Storage (Value-Boosting)

If you’re refurbing or planning ahead, a few strategic upgrades can seriously elevate your rental:

• Built-in wardrobes: In awkward alcoves or chimney breasts - this is wasted space waiting to be useful.

• Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry: Especially in kitchens or utility rooms. Go up if you can. No one ever complains about too many cupboards.

• Floating shelves: Above desks, radiators or kitchen worktops where cabinets don’t work. Adds visual interest and practicality.

• Recessed bathroom shelving: Built into stud walls or boxed-out pipework. Sleek and clutter-free.

• Bay window seating with lift-up lids: Great for Edwardian or Victorian houses. Adds charm and adds function to a lovely but not entirely useful space.

• Slimline fitted units in hallways or landings: Often overlooked but prime real estate for tidy storage.

Clutter creates stress. And stress makes people unhappy. Unhappy tenants don’t stick around.

These alcoves each double as WFH areas.

Built-in storage looks great, makes the space feel bigger and hides clutter all in one go!

3. Colours That Feel Good to Live With

Let’s talk colour. Because it still amazes me how many landlords default to cold grey or white in the name of “broad appeal”.

The truth? Colour affects how we feel. And tenants are far more likely to stay somewhere that feels warm, welcoming, and well thought out.

Best paint colours for rental properties in 2025:

• Soft neutrals, muted greens, and earthy tones

• Colour palettes that suit northern hemisphere light (you’re in the UK, not Miami!)

• Warmth and character; not magnolia and magnolia’s cold friend, grey

Colour is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to give your property a competitive edge.

Sidenote: My client Chris emailed me to say that he always paints his BTLs white, but he also allows tenants to repaint in any colour they like, so long as it’s put back before they leave. It works well for him and his tenants. If that appeals to you, go for it!

4. Energy Efficiency and Wellbeing Touches

Let’s talk energy efficiency - not just for EPCs or compliance tick boxes, but because it genuinely matters to tenants. In 2025, renters are more aware of running costs than ever.

With bills still biting and sustainability no longer niche, they’re looking for homes that feel efficient and cost less to run.

And the good news? You don’t need solar panels to make a difference.

Here are energy-efficient upgrades for rental properties that actually work:

Quick Wins:

• Thermal Curtains and Blinds. Not just decorative; lined curtains or honeycomb blinds can reduce heat loss by up to 25%. Go heavy in older properties, especially in bedrooms and living rooms.Bonus: Blackout versions = better sleep.

• LED Lighting Throughout. Swap every bulb for LED. They use 80% less energy, last years longer, and make total sense. Choose warm white tones as cold white is not alright!

• Draft-Proofing Essentials. Door brush strips, window seals, and keyhole covers make a big difference, especially in older properties. Ill-fitting doors should be replaced (OK, not low-cost, but you’ll make your money back in about 5 years).

  
  

• Zonal Heating Controls. If tenants pay the bills, let them control usage with zonal heating or smart thermostats. If bills are included, keep it simple and focus on insulation and smart radiator positioning to avoid heat waste. Design tip: TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves) offer a safe middle ground.

Smart Design Tweaks

• Light, Reflective Colour Palettes. These help bounce natural light around and reduce the need for daytime lighting.

  That doesn’t mean everything has to be pale. Sometimes darker tones work better in naturally dark rooms.

  My rule: light rooms = light paint. Dark rooms = go with it. (With a few exceptions, of course, as there are always exceptions to the rule!)

• Strategic Mirror Placement. This can bounce light into gloomy corners and help smaller rooms feel bigger and brighter.

  Perfect for north-facing bedrooms, landings, or lower ground floors.

Long-Term Upgrades Worth Considering

If you’re repositioning a rental for the long term, consider:

• Loft or cavity wall insulation

• A-rated energy-efficient appliances

• Upgrading to double or secondary glazing

• Smart meters and thermostats

• Low-flow taps and showers

These upgrades may not be obvious at first glance, but they pay off in lower bills, happier tenants, and better reviews.

Market the Benefits

If you’ve made any of these upgrades, don’t bury them in the listing.

Phrases like “energy-efficient LED lighting,” “thermally lined curtains,” or “draft-proofed windows” show care, thoughtfulness, and cost efficiency.

Most property listings are bland. But properties that highlight these details, especially HMOs, corporate lets, or high-quality BTLs. Stand out!

5. Kitchens and Bathrooms That Feel Clean and Cared For

These two rooms can make or break a viewing but you don’t always need a full rip-out.

Low-cost rental property upgrades that make a difference:

• Change handles, taps, and lighting

• Regrout and reseal

• Re-tile if needed (I found a gorgeous set for £7/m²—link below!)

• Swap harsh spotlights for warm white LEDs

💡 Here are the tiles I mentioned. Grab them before they go!

6. A Bit of Character (But Not Chaos)

Tenants don’t want soulless boxes but they also don’t want it shoved in their face that they’ve moved into someone else’s property.

You’re not designing to impress everyone. You’re designing to connect with the right tenant.

And yes, I’ll say it again: create a tenant or guest avatar before you start.

Here's the link to show you how.

In Summary

Tenants in 2025 are more discerning. They have more choices. And they’re looking for properties that feel like a (slightly but not overly) magazine-worthy-home.

Designing for demand doesn’t mean starting from scratch; it means knowing what tenants want and using thoughtful design to deliver it.

If your rental feels comfortable, considered, and easy to live in, it will stand out. And when it stands out, it lets faster, rents easier, and retains tenants for longer.

Want help getting your next rental ready for market?

At WildKind Interiors, we help landlords and developers across the UK create properties that attract the right tenants and keep them there.

Whether it’s a light-touch refresh or a full design plan, we can help you turn your property into a home tenants love (and pay good money to stay in).

Ready to design for demand?

Get in touch here and let’s chat.

About the author: Louise Wynne has been working with house builders and property developers since 2006. Combining interior design and styling with her colour psychology expertise, Louise gets to the heart of her clients' requirements.