How to Design a Successful Co-Living Property: Interior Tips for Homeowners
- Pescora Design
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Co-living is no longer a niche concept— it’s a growing demand across cities worldwide. Homeowners who understand how to design efficient, attractive shared spaces are not just earning better rental income; they’re building sustainable, high-demand rental properties.
But here’s the truth: Creating a co-living space isn't just about throwing some beds into a house. It’s about intentional design, community-building, durability, and smart space planning.
Here’s a deep dive into everything you need to know—from the basics to advanced strategies, if you want to create a successful shared rental property.
GLOSSARY:
1. Start with the Mindset Shift, Design Not Just Living
Before you even pick up a paintbrush, you need to reframe how you think about the space. A traditional rental is private and self-contained. A co-living rental must balance private comfort with community-driven spaces.
Many homeowners make the mistake of trying to maximize "rooms for rent" without considering how the tenants will live together. This results in overcrowded, poorly thought-out homes where tenants constantly churn.
Successful co-living design principles:
Blend privacy and interaction: Tenants need private rooms they can retreat into, but also cozy common areas that encourage casual socialization.
Focus on experience: Co-living isn’t just functional; it’s emotional. A beautiful, convenient shared kitchen or lounge becomes part of someone’s lifestyle.
Optimize for long-term satisfaction, not short-term profits: Higher tenant retention = fewer vacancies = better returns.
Opinion: "Treat your co-living home like a boutique hotel: functional, stylish, comfortable, and community-centered. Think lifestyle, not just logistics."
2. Room Layouts
Space planning is the foundation of successful shared living. The "flow" of a home dramatically impacts how people feel inside it.
Imagine living in a house where the bedrooms open directly into the kitchen, or where you must pass through someone else’s living area to get to your room—uncomfortable, right? Tenants notice these awkward layouts immediately.
Key layout priorities for co-living:
Direct access to common spaces: Every tenant should be able to reach kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms easily without feeling like they’re invading another’s private zone.
Zoning: Group bedrooms together and place social areas like kitchens and lounges at a healthy distance to control noise.
Minimize wasted space: Long, narrow hallways and oddly shaped nooks waste valuable square footage that could be better used as storage, study areas, or additional amenities.
Advanced Tip: "Where possible, create micro-zones inside larger shared rooms. For example, an open-plan living room could have a chillout lounge in one corner and a quiet reading/work corner on the other side, separated subtly with furniture arrangement or rugs."
3. Furniture- Buy Once, Buy Smart
Furniture in a co-living rental needs to be multi-functional, durable, and aesthetically neutral.
Many homeowners think buying cheap furniture is a good way to save costs. It’s not. You’ll end up spending double on repairs and replacements, and worse—you’ll create a bad impression that drives good tenants away.
Furniture must serve multiple functions:
Storage beds: Beds with drawers underneath or hydraulic lifts double storage capacity without adding clutter.
Expandable dining tables: Accommodate both small and larger groups easily.
Modular sofas: Pieces that can be rearranged depending on tenant needs.
Stackable or foldable chairs: Extra seating for social gatherings without crowding everyday spaces.
Neutral designs: Stick to beiges, grays, whites, and warm woods. Bold colors date quickly and limit appeal.
Opinion: "You’re designing a space to serve 10 different personalities over the next 5 years. Neutral, robust, and flexible furniture is the only smart investment."
4. Storage
One of the most common complaints in co-living setups is lack of personal storage space. If tenants can't store their belongings neatly, communal spaces quickly become messy, leading to disputes.
Effective storage solutions for co-living:
Built-in wardrobes in every room. Each tenant should have personal hanging and drawer space.
Kitchen lockers or labeled cabinets: Allocate a shelf/cabinet for each tenant’s food and cooking essentials.
Shoe racks and coat hangers: Essential at entrances to avoid piles of shoes and jackets.
Floating wall shelves: In bedrooms and living rooms to maximize vertical space without eating up floor area.
Bathroom organizers: Add hooks, caddies, or small shelving units for toiletries.
Advanced Tip: "Consider vertical storage (floor-to-ceiling units) and hidden storage (under beds, inside benches) to maximize every inch of usable space."
Opinion: Good storage is not a luxury in shared spaces—it’s a survival strategy.
5. Durable Materials- Think Like a Hotelier
Think of your property as a mid-range hotel—high traffic, lots of usage, regular turnover. Choosing the right materials from the start saves thousands later.
Best materials for co-living interiors:
Semi-gloss wall paint: Easier to wipe clean than flat finishes.
Laminate countertops and engineered quartz: Resistant to heat, scratches, and stains.
Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) or laminated wooden floors: Durable, moisture-resistant, and stylish.
Sturdy upholstery: Choose commercial-grade fabrics for sofas and chairs.
Metal bed frames over wooden ones for long-term strength.
Opinion: "Forget marble floors or delicate hardwoods. In co-living, resilience beats luxury. A durable, neat space always looks newer for longer."
6. Lighting- The Hidden Game-Changer
Lighting is one of the cheapest ways to instantly uplift a co-living home, yet many homeowners overlook it.
Essential lighting strategies:
Layered lighting: Combine ceiling lights, floor lamps, and task lights. No room should rely on a single bulb.
Bright, energy-efficient LEDs in kitchens, workspaces, and bathrooms.
Warm, cozy lighting in bedrooms and lounges to create a relaxed vibe.
Motion sensors for hallways and entryways, saving energy and increasing safety.
Advanced Tip: "Install dimmable lighting in living areas and bedrooms. It gives tenants control over their environment, making them feel at home."
7. Kitchens and Bathrooms
These are the two spaces tenants interact with most intimately. If your kitchen or bathroom feels awkward, cramped, or dirty, tenants won't renew leases, no matter how nice the living room is.
Kitchen design for co-living:
Double sinks or extra-deep single sinks for shared use.
Two refrigerators if your tenant count is 4+.
Ample cabinet space with labeled sections for each tenant.
Hard-wearing countertops (no soft marble or porous stone).
Good ventilation: Install a powerful chimney or exhaust fan.
Bathroom design for co-living:
Multiple towel hooks and shelves so everyone has personal space.
Easy-to-clean, non-slip flooring to prevent accidents and water damage.
Shower partitions or cubicles to keep water from flooding the bathroom floor.
Good lighting and mirrors in each bathroom.
Opinion: Glamorous designer tiles won't impress tenants if there’s a fight over fridge space or moldy bathrooms. Functionality first, aesthetics second.
8. Design for Natural Connections
Finally, great co-living homes create opportunities for tenants to interact naturally without forcing it.
How to foster community through design:
Large communal tables encourage group meals and conversation.
Comfortable lounging areas with soft seating create a relaxed social vibe.
Outdoor spaces (if available) with minimal maintenance setups—benches, string lights, maybe a barbecue grill.
Noticeboards for house rules, chore rotations, community events.
Advanced Tip: Provide optional shared experiences—a board game shelf, a mini-library, or even simple house plants can trigger natural bonding among tenants.
Opinion: You can't force a community, but you can design the conditions that help one grow naturally. And when tenants feel like they belong, they stay longer.
Final Thoughts
"Smart Design = Sustainable Income"
If you’re serious about creating a profitable shared rental, treat interior design not as an expense, but as an investment. Smart design choices like good flow, durable materials, clever storage, warm lighting, and community-focused spaces, don’t just attract better tenants. They also improve retention rates, command higher rents, and build your reputation as a premium landlord. In the booming co-living market, efficient interior design is your strongest competitive edge.
Design smart now. Profit for years to come.