Reimagining Interior Design for a HMO Development

The Challenge

Our team encountered numerous challenges when tasked with the creation of an enticing interior design for a Home of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) development. These hurdles included:

Transformation Mission: We needed to transform an ordinary house into a vibrant, aesthetically pleasing, and trendy living space suitable for young professionals.
Floor Plan Review: We aimed to optimise the floor plan to ensure seamless flow, practicality, and a sense of community within the house.
Time Constraints: With a tight six-month deadline, time was of the essence to complete the project efficiently.
Adding Property Value: The goal was to enhance the property's value for refinancing the house.
Multiple Trades: Coordinating various tradesmen while providing clear interior design directives was a logistical challenge.
Development Marketing: To bring the property to life for prospective tenants and future investors.

The Innovative Solution

Our strategy to overcome these challenges involved a collaborative partnership with the property developer. Here's a glimpse into how we worked together:

Embracing the Vision: We embraced the developer's vision and objectives for the property, ensuring a unified approach to the project.
Demographic Insights: We delved deep into the demographics, meticulously analysing the lifestyles and preferences of our target tenant base.
Development Optimisation: Our team conducted a thorough examination of property specifications, budget constraints, and floor plans to maximise profitability and buildability.

Tailored Interior Design Services

Our bespoke interior design services for this project included a variety of elements:

Feasibility Studies: Through feasibility studies, we ensured efficient space utilisation, including floor plan optimisation, layout recommendations, and mechanical and electrical (M&E) enhancements.
Visual Direction: We presented initial mood boards and style direction, incorporating the developer's logo subtly to infuse brand identity throughout the property and create a cohesive interior design.
Comprehensive Specifications: Our team developed specifications and visual representations for the developer and construction team, including detailed room designs with itemised product lists for cost-effective procurement.
- Kitchen: We collaborated with a kitchen designer to craft a modern charcoal kitchen with vibrant accents and marble effect finish.
- Bathroom: We optimised space to include five en-suites, a crucial factor for young professionals in a HMO, ensuring they have their private spaces and increasing room rental prices.
- Flooring: We selected Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) for high-traffic communal areas and carpets in bedrooms to enhance a homely atmosphere for tenants.
- Painting: Creative painting techniques and colour blocking were employed to create room contrasts, enhance visual appeal, and introduce vibrant colours with minimal investment. This approach also allows for easy updates as trends evolve.
- Joinery: We incorporated creative panelling techniques to introduce texture, depth, and distinctive features within each room.
- Lighting: A contemporary lighting scheme was designed for the entire property.
Onsite Coordination: We conducted onsite meetings at crucial milestones during the development to ensure that specifications were faithfully followed and executed.
Property Staging: In addition to our interior design services, we staged the property to enable potential tenants to envision their future life in the house.
Effective Marketing: We organised professional photography and a 360-degree virtual tour, enabling the developer to market the property effectively to potential tenants, saving time for both the landlord and prospective tenants. In addition, these were to be used to attract future investors.

The Results

The developer reaped several benefits from this project:

Substantial Value: In just six months, the property's value increased by an impressive 67%.
Exceeding Expectations: The refinance valuation surpassed the area's ceiling price by a significant margin, 20%.
High Demand: Rooms rented out at 30% higher rates and were occupied faster than other HMO rooms in the area.

This case study evidences our ability to work in partnership with developers to transform properties into lucrative investments while delivering on time and within budget.

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