When you have an aging apartment complex, it is only natural to want it to look more updated. Tenants are attracted to many things when it comes to an apartment besides rent, and building and unit appearance is one of them.

Giving your apartments a more modern look is one way to please potential renters and even increase rent, but you’ve got to find that ideal balance between project results and cost. Try these inspiring apartment updates to boost your appeal without sailing over your budget and into all your profits!

Harness the power of the accent wall

 
Accent or feature walls are a newer design idea and a definite break from the all-neutral wall look seen in older apartments. For about $50 in materials, you can update apartment units by painting one wall in the living room a different and bright color. Make sure you choose the wall in the room that is the natural focal point, advises Realtor.com. If you can’t decide, go with the wall that has the smallest width so it doesn’t overwhelm the room. Choose a color that fits in with your existing scheme or sets off a feature in the apartment.

You can also use feature walls in your common areas and lobby or entrance hall. Just like with units, find a color that sets off a positive feature in the room, such as a fireplace or rich woodwork. Super bold colors, such as fire-engine red, are no longer popular choices, so go with rich but more subtle hues of greens, purples and blues.

Instantly update your kitchen and bathrooms

 
You don’t need expensive new appliances or flooring to bring your unit’s kitchen and bathroom up to date. Replace cabinet doors and hardware with newer items to instantly give the rooms a more modern appearance. Countertops can also visually date an apartment, so replace these if it fits into your budget.

Look to the lights

 
If you’ve got outdated lighting fixtures, your unit and building are immediately showing their age to prospective renters. Light fixtures tend to draw the eyes, so replace any relics you’ve got from the 1970s still hanging around with sleek, newer models.

An outdated apartment is always harder to move, so don’t hand yourself a disadvantage by having units and a building that feel old and worn to potential tenants. By trying the simple and inexpensive apartment updates mentioned above, you can give your apartment complex new life almost instantly.

Related Articles

 
3 Inexpensive Landscape Makeovers for Your Rental Property

5 Biggest Renovation Mistakes Investors Make

How to Hire Multifamily Property Contractors

The following two tabs change content below.
Theresa Bradley-Banta writes about investing in real estate while avoiding the pitfalls that plague many new investors. She is a 2017 PropTech Top 100 Influencer and winner of 14 American and International real estate awards for her website and real estate investing programs. As featured on: The Equifax Finance Blog, AOL’s Daily Finance, Scotsman Guide, The Best Real Estate Investing Advice Ever Show, Stevie Awards Blog, Rental Housing Journal, and Investors Beat among others.