The Times Bricks and Mortar

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Nicholas Gill, David Phillips Chairman quoted in The Times, Bricks & Mortar

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29th June 2011

Decorating your rental flat

Turn an empty property into a stylish rental with these decorating tips that won't blow the budget

Tips for landlords

The key thing is to marry the style of furnishings to the type of property and the rent you are trying to achieve, says Nicholas Gill, of David Phillips, a company that provides furniture packages for rental properties. There is no point spending lots of money if you are not going to get a return on the purchases. Likewise, you don't want to fill your rental with cheap furnishings - let it unfurnished."

Signature pieces

Use one or two strong pieces in the living room. It is a cost-effective way of making your property stand out. A replica of an everyday design classic such as Arne Jacobsen's Egg Chair will lift the whole place. Vita Interiors has a replica of the chair in a range of colours.

Walls

The bold feature wall has been dropped in favour of an overall papered look, which is subtle and more textured. The harlequin delta lime wallpaper by John Lewis adds a dash of colour but doesn't overpower.

Carpets

Knotted leather with "movement" or natural fibres are in vogue. The Rug Company's Sellarsbrook citrus yellow rug, in Tibetan wool, is a modern but timeless classic.

Lighting

Oversized floor lights are still popular and many options are available on the high street. To be positioned next to a sofa or easy chair, Graham and Green's Chrome Atlas lamp is a big, bold - but functional - statement piece.

Furniture

Look for natural wood and organic shapes and designs to create a calm-looking environment. Habitat's solid ash Ida coffee table is smoothly curved, pared down and features a distinctive grain pattern.

Tips for tenants

Renters increasingly want to stamp their personal style on their home, says Danielle Eveleigh, of Bouf.com, an online interiors website. We've seen a growth in sales of wall stickers, contemporary shelving, retro wall hangings and framed prints - all fantastic ways for renters to make a mark that isn't exclusive to homeowners. You can incorporate individual style simply by accessorising your home. '

Rugs

Brighten a room while adding softness and warmth. This Graham and Green Rose rug is made from hand-loomed silk.

Wall hangings

Wall hangings are back in a big way. John Ellis's Coral linen design is a thing of puritan beauty.

Shelving

Invest in a large shelving unit for your sitting room or hallway and display your collectibles in style. Benjamin Hubert's industrial-chic unit would make a cool, if a little pricey, addition to your home.

Prints

Give white walls some oomph by framing stylish prints. The London Transport Museum's online shop has a range of colourful vintage advertisements, or you could display postcards that you have collected.

Stickers

Bouf's range of wall stickers are affordable, easily removed and a simple alternative to wallpaper, thus perfect for tenants and short-term lets. We like the stag's head. It's witty and pink.

Storage

A sideboard is a nifty place to stash your films, magazines and home technology. If Orla Kiely's retro-style Rowan Walnut Stem design is way over budget, look on gumtree.co.uk or eBay for authentic second-hand versions.