Did you know there’s one thing that can really transform your HMOs? Interior panelling can be a game-changer if you know what you’re doing!

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on it, you don’t need special insider information for it, and you definitely don’t need to be an interior design guru to do it. You just need a bit of creativity, you need to do some research, and you need to plan effectively. And I promise you, interior panelling will completely transform your property.

Aside from it being an effective way to transform your space, interior panelling is actually one of the cheapest ways to do it too!

You can tackle it in different ways to create different looks. You can also get a different feel out of it, depending on what style or mood you’re aiming to create.

Still not convinced?

Interior Paneling is Relatively Cheap

When you have a pretty dodgy wall to start with, you can either cover it up by chasing any cables or pipework, skimming it down, and repainting it from scratch, or you can just put some panelling over it. The latter is much less labour intensive and unsurprisingly, much cheaper.

You can also keep the cost down with interior panelling. Depending on the type of material and where you source that material, you can save a lot of money too. The materials needed for interior panelling are also readily available, so it can be surprisingly easy to get hold of what you need once you start looking around!

Interior Paneling Will Make You Stand Out!

This is the biggest pro for me: interior panelling will make you and your HMO stand out.

With so much competition in the market, standing out is more important than ever. I want my prospective tenants to see pictures of our space and be sold before they walk into the property! And you can definitely achieve this with interior panelling because it really elevates the look of your space — both in real life and in photos.

If you take a look on Instagram or other social media platforms, you’ll see some incredible examples of what other people have done. Just try using the hashtag #interiorpanelling and see for yourself! You’ll find some excellent examples and plenty of inspiration to get you on your way!

However, the truth is, there’s still not a whole lot of people using interior panelling in the HMO world! Which is why you’ll stand out if you can do it effectively!

Interior Paneling is Versatile

There are so many materials you can use for interior panelling, which is why this is such a versatile design choice. Whether you’re constricted by a budget or an overall look for your HMO property, you can use different materials and styles to fit your needs.

One of the cheapest materials you can get is plywood. This is actually one of my favourites at the minute because you can get an incredible finish with it. You can also apply it in different styles, use it for big or small spaces, and even use it as an accent.

Another cheap yet versatile material is the oriented strand board (or ‘OSB’). It’s like a reconstituted chipboard, and it’s so easy to get your hands on from any good DIY store. It has a rough look that’s popular in student and professional properties.

It’s really all about utilising these different materials in different ways to fit what you’re aiming for in your property.

Interior Paneling Can Be Used in Any Space

Panelling isn’t limited to a specific room! I’ve panelled around baths, used it for headboards and in large communal spaces. I’ve even done panelling on ceilings, which adds an incredible effect as it makes the room look much bigger.

It all depends on how you use it. Since panelling can create a very different feel, you can create an industrial look by putting a big piece on the walls or ceiling, or if you want your space to look warm and cosy, perhaps you can use a material like plywood or natural oak.

Of course, finding your ideal material and planning the design of your panelling is not enough. You also need to find the right people to fit the panelling as well. You need to make sure that it looks right when you put it up!

Try not to get carried away with the interior panelling though. Sure, the cost may be economical, but if you overdo it, then you’ll end up spending much more than you should, and it can look a bit ‘too much’.

But don’t be scared to give interior panelling a go. You can do it on a budget and also have fun with it. The risk of it getting it wrong is fairly low, but the potential reward of getting it right and impressing your prospective tenants outweighs any risks involved in the first place.

If you need a bit of inspiration, you can go and check out my Instagram page at @andygraham.hmo, I’ve got loads of examples on there and they might just serve as an inspiration to help you get started with your own interior panelling project.

For more useful resources and in-depth lessons, join The HMO Roadmap today!

About the Author:

Andy Graham is the founder and the lead trainer at The HMO Roadmap! He is also the co-founder of The HMO Mastermind and Smart Property, a specialist HMO property investment and management company. He writes as a regular columnist in different magazines about a variety of HMO topics and the host of The HMO Podcast! Follow Andy on Instagram!