3 Things That Make a Rental Feel Expensive(Without Spending a Fortune) - Renovation Edition
Written by: Rene
You don't have to spend a fortune to make a rental property look and feel luxurious. Sometimes, it's the smallest details that make the biggest difference. During my recent renovation, I discovered a few relatively inexpensive upgrades that made the entire space feel more high-end.
The best part of all was that some of them actually saved me money. Exciting, right?! Let's get right into it.
1. Dimmer Switches: The Upgrade I Didn't Know I Needed
I'll admit, this one wasn't even my idea. My contractor installed dimmer switches for all the recessed ceiling lights throughout the unit, and they. are. AMAZING. I now want them in my own home. I frequently find myself in that awkward lighting situation where I don't want the "big lights" on (you know, those bright overhead lights), but the lamps aren't quite bright enough. Dimmer switches solve this problem beautifully.
Want to create a cozy atmosphere for a dinner date? Done.
Need the lights bright enough to find every last pesky, out-of-place eyebrow hair to tweeze? Done.
Want to take a shower but aren't emotionally prepared for the full brightness of overhead lighting yet? Done.
The cherry on top: when you turn the lights off, they slowly fade out instead of abruptly switching off. This probably doesn't matter too much, but it absolutely feels a little extra fancy. It's such a small detail, but it makes the entire space feel more thoughtfully designed.
2. Stock Cabinets With Soft-Close Doors: Budget-Friendly Doesn't Have to Look Cheap
I feel like stock cabinets have come a LONG way in the last few years. You can now find some really beautiful, decent-quality cabinets at surprisingly affordable prices and for this renovation, I had to do a little creative problem-solving to make the kitchen layout work with standard stock cabinet sizes. Wellll, by "creative problem-solving," I mean playing what felt like an endless game of kitchen cabinet Tetris.
It was so worth it, because using stock cabinets instead of custom cabinetry saved me THOUSANDS of dollars.
They don't look or feel cheap either. The cabinets have soft-close doors, which is one of those little details that instantly makes a kitchen feel more high-end. One of my favorite features is the corner cabinet with a built-in wooden Lazy Susan!
It's functional, looks beautiful, and makes use of a space that could otherwise be a nightmare to access.
Before you assume you need expensive custom cabinets, see what you can accomplish with stock options and a little creativity.
3. Paint: It's Not Just about the Color
Even if you're just doing a light refresh of your rental (rather than a full renovation), don't underestimate the power of paint. And I'm not just talking about slapping a fresh coat on the walls. Being intentional about your paint colors and finishes can completely change how expensive a space feels, without adding to your renovation budget. A little extra tip: take a little time to research current paint and design trends. Remember when EVERYTHING was gray in 2016? Gray walls. Gray floors. Gray cabinets. Gray everything! Even if you freshly repaint your entire unit, using a color scheme that feels dated can make the property look older than it actually is.
For this renovation, I chose: Walls: Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa; Doors and trim: Sherwin-Williams Shoji White
Rather than going with the traditional white trim and darker walls, I flipped the script. By using a slightly darker, warmer color on the doors and trim, I created a subtle contrast that feels modern, intentional, and elevated. And it didn't cost anything extra. We were painting the walls, doors, and trim anyway.
Now, here's one place where I DO recommend spending a little more money: the quality of your paint. I upgraded to Sherwin-Williams Emerald, and I am SO glad I did. We used a matte finish on the walls, which creates a beautiful, soft look. But unlike some lower-quality matte paints, this one is incredibly easy to wipe clean. As rental property owners, we know how important THAT is. In my experience, I have been able to paint over any small areas that need touching up, and it's blended beautifully with the existing paint.
If you've ever tried touching up cheaper paint (or certain semi-gloss finishes), you know the frustration of having that one glaringly obvious spot where the sheen or color just doesn't quite match. Investing a little more in quality paint upfront can save you a lot of headaches when it comes to maintaining the property.
The point is creating a beautiful, high-end rental doesn't mean you need a high-end renovation budget.
Sometimes it's about knowing where to spend, where to save, and which little details make the biggest impact.
Dimmer switches make the space feel more comfortable and luxurious. Stock cabinets with thoughtful features can save thousands without sacrificing style. Intentional paint choices can completely transform a space without increasing your costs. These are the kinds of upgrades I love most: the ones that make a property look like you spent MORE, when you actually spent LESS.
And isn't that the dream when you're renovating a rental?