Making A Rental Space Your Own

Thursday, April 27th, 2017

Lorio and Associates is proud to serve the greater Lakeland area of Polk County with both property sales and property management services.  Our property management (usually) entails keeping an eye on our rental properties, and making sure they are properly maintained according to the desires of the landowner.  For commercial properties like those we oversee, the typical tenants are small business owners who are seeking a home for their company to start out in.  They have all kinds of dreams and ideas for making their business shine, but when they show up and realize that there are some stipulations that come along with a rental property and personalization of the space, it can be frustrating.

We decided to put together some of the most common decorating roadblocks, and some simple ways that you can make any rental property your own, and guarantee that your personality of your brand shines through, no matter the space.

• You can’t alter the structure.  This means adding walls, taking away walls, etc.  If you were hoping to add a welcome area to your office space, or need some separation for your receptionist and other employees, this can be exasperating.  Our solution?  Try some tall shelves/bookcases to serve as faux “walls”.  Not only do these add some visual interest, but they will create a barrier between spaces, and offer extra storage as a bonus!
• You can’t paint.  Most of the time, landowners won’t want you to paint, or if they do allow you to paint, there will be limitations like color choice, or being required to repaint to a neutral before you relinquish the space at the end of your lease.  Instead of going to the trouble, try wall art!  Framed stock portraits, gallery walls, or even unique pieces from local artists can add a ton of interest to the walls, create great conversation pieces with your clients, and help cover up any unsightly paint jobs you might not be fond of.  Another great way to add color and visual interest to your office walls are using drapes.  Frame the windows in complimentary fabrics wth the other office furniture for a cohesive, professional feel.
• You can’t change the flooring.  Perhaps you don’t love the multicolored tile flooring, or maybe carpet isn’t what you were dreaming of for your business.  While you usually can’t change the flooring in a rental space, you can cover it up.  There is a huge variety in flooring today, from large scale rugs that will cover most of the floor in a single room, to click-and-lock flooring tiles (carpet, vinyl, and more) that lay directly on top of the flooring underneath and give it a whole new look.  Each of these options can be easily removed and taken right along with you when it’s time to change spaces!

We hope these tips help you feel more confident in finding the perfect location for your business home.  We have plenty of choices available for rent right now in the Polk County area, so give us a call to schedule a tour and get started on your leasing journey!