How to decorate your rental investment: meeting with Romain, founder of For Intérieur

Looking to rent out your property but short on interior design inspiration? Want to create a "wow" factor for potential tenants? Discover advice from Romain, founder of for-interieur.fr, and his team of interior designers as they break down the latest trends for you. Once your space is optimized and your vibe is set, your Airbnb property management service, Welkeys, handles the entire rental process, from creating the listing to welcoming your guests!

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Let’s get straight to the point: what does successful interior design mean for a rental property?

“An apartment’s decor must, of course, be warm and harmonious, especially when renting to strangers! Tenants should feel ‘at home’ the moment they walk through the door. To achieve this, you need to follow current design trends while still appealing to a wide audience. On for-interieur.fr, our free shopping guides offer a selection of furniture and decor that taps into the latest trends. Owners can select functional, stylish pieces room by room to furnish and enhance their property, making their tenants' stays comfortable and unforgettable!”

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What aspects do you focus on during the design coaching sessions you offer on your site?

“The goal of design coaching for a rental investment is to make the property stand out from other nearby apartments. We focus on the property’s strengths to highlight them, but we also identify ‘flaws’ to soften them, all while optimizing the space to make it as functional as possible. You absolutely must create a ‘wow’ factor for prospective tenants. To do this, we recommend using statement pieces to create a distinct identity and a memorable apartment. For example, in a studio, to define the sleeping area in the main room, you could install a room divider made of tree trunks, apply large-scale wallpaper to a single wall, or add designer furniture…”

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Based on your past coaching sessions, what are the most common problems real estate investors face?

“Owners are aware of the crowded rental market and quickly realize the need to create a ‘wow’ factor from the very first viewing. They also want to optimize every square meter of their property to accommodate more tenants. For example, we are frequently asked where to find a beautiful sofa bed that is actually comfortable to sleep on, rather than one of those spring-loaded sofa beds that feels like an ironing board! We also provide our expertise, through our coaches and interior designers, to help owners turn their property’s constraints into assets, such as an unsightly ventilation duct or an exposed load-bearing beam... Our teams meet the daily demands for functional, high-quality, affordable, and easy-to-maintain materials and furniture!”

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Which property flaws can be softened or hidden to optimize rental income? How do you identify them?

“There can be many constraints, especially in older buildings (exposed ventilation ducts, beams, or electrical cables, dark rooms, etc.). Our teams are full of creative ideas to address these flaws without expensive renovations. A recurring issue is optimizing a room for storage without making it look cluttered. We often suggest creating a storage unit with niches that also serves as a room divider between the entryway and the living room, with a lower section for shoe storage, for example. Another example is the natural existence of niches or wall recesses. By adding cleats and a few shelves, you can turn this wasted space into functional, low-cost storage!”

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For a vacation rental, how do you choose a decor style that appeals to the widest audience? Should you be bold with color, for example?

“Absolutely! People looking for vacation rentals love staying in places that are out of the ordinary because their stay is short. They are more willing to embrace certain eccentricities! Don’t hesitate to create memorable atmospheres: an exotic living room, a rattan-themed bedroom, a zen bathroom... When it comes to colors, the rule is to stick to a maximum of three colors or materials per room. For example, if you choose a Scandinavian living room, you could paint one wall a blue-gray and opt for gray-toned furniture. Then, add a leather armchair and a Berber rug to pull it all together. Accessorize with a few green plants and sleek lighting, and you’re done. ‘Less is more’ is our motto at for-interieur.fr!”

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What is your top tip for finding decor ideas? Any specific brands you recommend?

“Social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are great sources for ideas on color and material combinations. As for brands, La Redoute definitely offers affordable furniture and decor that is always on-trend. But my main advice for clients who want support throughout the furnishing and decorating process is to use our one-hour design coaching service for €139! They can also supplement the advice given by our interior designers by reading our shopping guides and articles. I also recommend subscribing to our free weekly newsletter for practical tips on specific topics, such as ‘how to furnish a long, narrow living room!’”

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We have recently started offering mid-term rentals to our owners. What should one focus on for a property intended to be a tenant’s primary residence?

“For mid-term rentals, an apartment’s functionality is paramount: lighting, flow of movement, storage... We advise owners to use as much modular, low-cost, and easy-to-maintain furniture as possible. However, don’t neglect the details: simply placing furniture without any styling or staging will result in a cold, impersonal space. On for-interieur.fr, our interior designers work with owners to help them find the perfect balance, avoiding both the ‘total look’ and the overly impersonal ‘hotel room’ feel!”