Small Studio. Big Impact.
Rental Optimization Case Study (19 m²)
How a small studio redesign increased rental income from 400 € to 600 € per month.
Location: Slovakia
Size: 19 m²
Type: Rental investment
Renovation budget: 5.000 €
Original rent: 400 €
New rent: 600 €
Increase: +50 %
Service: Interior redesign & renovation concept
Goal: Increase rental value while keeping renovation costs minimal.
THE CHALLENGE
The studio apartment had limited space and an outdated interior that did not fully support its rental potential.
The goal was to improve functionality and visual appeal while working with selected existing elements and maintaining a reasonable renovation budget.
Before renovation
DESIGN STRATEGY
The redesign focused on three key principles:
• optimizing the layout to create clear living zones
• reusing selected existing furniture where possible
• introducing simple upgrades to enhance light, openness and comfort
Small but thoughtful design decisions significantly improved the perception of the space without requiring a costly renovation.
INTERIOR VISUALIZATION (Concept visualization – alternative scenario)
To explore the full potential of the space, a concept visualization was created showing a more expressive interior scenario suitable for a young professional or a design-focused rental such as Airbnb.
This concept illustrates how the same studio could be transformed with a more ambitious renovation approach.
IMPLEMENTED RENOVATION (Budget-Conscious Approach)
While the visualization explored a more ambitious design direction, the final renovation followed a budget-conscious strategy focused on maximizing rental value with minimal investment.
Instead of a full reconstruction, the project prioritized practical improvements, reuse of existing elements, and simple visual upgrades that significantly improved the overall appeal of the space.
THE RESULT
The redesigned studio became a more functional and visually appealing space attractive to potential tenants.
Rental income increased from 400 € to 600 € per month, demonstrating how thoughtful interior design can significantly enhance the value of a small property.
This project illustrates how even small apartments can achieve strong investment results through strategic interior design.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Even very small apartments can achieve higher rental value with thoughtful design
• Strategic space planning can improve usability without major structural changes
• Visual upgrades significantly influence how tenants perceive a space
This project demonstrates that increasing the value of a property is not always about larger investments, but about smarter design decisions.
