How We Increased Rent by £500/Month with Just £12,000: A Design-Led Transformation

At Dwelling&Manor, we believe that every property holds untapped potential — not just in its bricks and mortar, but in the way it’s presented, experienced, and received. Recently, we took on a four-bedroom house that had plateaued in rental value. With a modest budget of £12,000, we reimagined its layout, elevated its aesthetic, and increased its monthly rent by £500 — all through strategic design and targeted renovation.

Strategic Focus: Not Every Room Needs a Full Overhaul

Rather than spreading the budget thinly across the entire house, we honed in on the rooms that were actively deterring tenants — a tired bathroom, a dark and awkward living space, and a master bedroom that lacked warmth. By prioritising these areas, we created maximum impact with minimal spend.

Bathroom Renovation: Function Meets Elegance

The bathroom was dated, cramped, and uninspiring. We reconfigured the layout to improve flow, introduced heritage-style fittings with modern efficiency, and used light-reflective surfaces to enhance space perception. The result? A room that felt twice the size and aligned with the emotional expectations of today’s renters.

Layout Adaptation: Designing for the Market

We didn’t just renovate — we rethought. By opening up the kitchen to the dining area and subtly zoning the living room, we created a layout that speaks to contemporary lifestyles: sociable, flexible, and intuitive. This wasn’t about knocking down walls — it was about understanding how people live.

Interior Design: Emotional Resonance Through Detail

From paint tones that evoke calm to lighting that flatters every corner, our design choices were deliberate. We layered textures, introduced subtle nods to heritage, and staged the property to feel aspirational yet attainable. Tenants don’t just rent space — they rent a feeling. We made sure that feeling was “home.”

The Result: £500 More Per Month, and a Waiting List of Tenants

The transformation didn’t just look good — it performed. Within days of relisting, the property attracted premium interest, and the new rent was not only accepted but celebrated by prospective tenants. That’s the power of design-led strategy.

We can do the same for your property. Whether you’re a landlord looking to increase yield or a homeowner seeking to elevate your space, Dwelling&Manor brings design intelligence, market insight, and emotional clarity to every project.