4 Styling Ideas To Make Your Rental Listing Look Bigger
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4 Styling Ideas To Make Your Rental Listing Look Bigger
By ExactEstate6 min read
Last reviewed: July 2026
According to Pew Research Center, there were around 20 million rental properties and over 48 million individual units in 2019 alone. Numbers keep increasing, which means you have to maintain a competitive advantage and learn how to make your rental listing look more attractive.
Want to make your rental property look bigger than it is? Read on to learn some styling ideas below and tips to succeed in the business.
Maximize Vertical Space
To make your rental space look bigger and more ideal for potential residents, take advantage of vertical space. This way, you can create a sense of openness and promote flow and movement. For example, you can install hanging lamps to draw one’s eyes upward.
You can also use a large shower curtain to make the bathroom in your rental property look bigger. A cream color is perfect for warming things up. Going all white can also help you enhance airiness.
Moreover, a wall-mounted shelving unit and a wooden basket for towels above the toilet’s tank can help you maximize the space above your toilet. Choose pieces of furniture that are narrow and tall. Examples include tall and thin bookcases and ladder desks.
Making use of freestanding shelves skips the need for drilling as well. If you have nooks or recesses in your rental space, you can transform them into shelving areas.
You can also install a vertical garden. This way, potential residents will be excited about the idea of being able to cook with fresh ingredients while enjoying great decoration. Popular options to offer greenery in your space include pothos and snake plants.
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Staging an apartment includes focusing on lighting. Make sure windows are not blocked with bookshelves, beds, and other large pieces of furniture. Make use of natural light. This helps renters save money on energy bills. Moreover, it allows them to enjoy the outdoors more.
Keep the windows in your rental space clean to bring in as much natural light as possible and so that tenants can breathe in fresh air.
It’s better to layer light sources as well. Overhead lighting can be too much, so you might want to use table lamps, wall sconces, and floor lamps. This way, potential tenants will feel they can relax better in your rental space.
Furthermore, the shade and level of brightness should vary per room. For instance, bulbs of lower temperatures are great for bedrooms. Renters will feel the calming candlelight effects. Meanwhile, brighter lights with higher temperatures are more suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.
Add Mirrors
One of the most popular tricks to make a rental space look bigger is using mirrors. Is the kitchen narrow? Install a mirror on one of the walls to create a sense of openness.
You can also add a mirror behind your sink in a floor-to-countertop style to make the area look bigger and brighter. Or, add mirrors to closet doors and storage cabinets. You won't just make the area look larger, but you're also elevating the aesthetics of your rental space.
Putting a mirror in the kitchen might not be common. However, if the dining area and kitchen share one space, you can add depth by installing a mirror to the wall that faces the dining area.
Furthermore, you can opt for a large leaning mirror if there’s an empty corner space. Doing so brings more depth to the room. It will also look taller. If you’re aiming for a minimalist look, you can use a mirror with no framing. If you want the mirror to stand out, go for mirrors with gorgeous framing.
Pairing a mirror with a light source is also an incredible styling idea. You can enhance the space’s brightness and offer more dimension. An example would be wall mirrors in front of table lamps.
You can even position mirrors in such a way that they look like another window.
Use Rugs
Staging an apartment effectively also includes using area rugs. One technique is to choose rugs with stripes on them. They make your rental property appear bigger. You can pick offset stripes for a more unique choice compared to the usual straight lines.
Another way to make your rental listing look bigger is by using round rugs. Compared to the usual rectangle rugs, round rugs add more character to your rental unit’s decor.
When it comes to colors, pick light-colored rugs to achieve a brighter and wider space. You can start with neutrals and pale pastels. Opting for darker colors results in a narrower feel. Moreover, using a color that matches your floor creates a sense of continuity in the area.
Rugs with texture are visually appealing. However, if you have smaller rooms, things can get crowded easily.
Don’t hesitate to use a large area rug. To help draw the eye out, extend your area rug beyond your pieces of furniture. In particular, it should cover your furniture’s front leg.
Bonus Tips: Listing a Rental Unit
If you want to perform online marketing for real estate effectively, apply the following tips.
Create a Catchy and Informative Title
To ensure a catchy and detailed headline, provide the rental price, location, size, and selected attractive amenities.
Provide a Clear Property Description
For the property description, make sure to include details like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms available, the rental unit’s size in square feet, the neighborhood, the date of availability, and great amenities like pet-friendliness and smart home features. Also, include contact details, security deposit, and other relevant details.
Upload High-quality Photos
Among realtors, over 72% said quality photos helped them win more listings. This only shows how important incredible photos are for your rental listings. Provide at least one photo for each room. Moreover, open curtains and blinds when taking photos to maximize natural light. To get a better perspective, take pictures from a room’s corner and not from the side.
Screen Tenants Online
You should be able to screen tenants online and gain reports, including their credit, employment, and rental history. At ExactEstate, we have built-in online tenant screening that lets you determine the most qualified tenants.
Final Thoughts
To make your rental listing look bigger, make use of vertical space, allow plenty of light, use mirrors, and add rugs. Moreover, learning how to list a rental unit includes using quality photos, creating informative titles and property descriptions, and allowing quick tenant screening. With trusted property management software like ExactEstate, you can experience various benefits, like easy marketing integration, increased productivity, and a more streamlined application process.
Want to see how ExactEstate can help your rental units stand out? Schedule a demo today!
