When you’re developing property, layout is not just a design choice — it’s a commercial strategy. The right floor plan can cut weeks off your sales timeline, increase perceived value, and improve rental yields. The wrong one can leave you with a property that lingers on the market or commands less rent than it should.

At Studio Tashkeel, we design with one aim: to maximise your return on investment. Here’s how layout impacts profit, and what the most successful investors are doing differently.

Why Layouts Matter More Than Finishes

Investors often focus on finishes — marble worktops, designer lighting, high-end flooring. While these can help, they don’t fix a poor layout.

Buyers and tenants make decisions based on how a space feels and functions:

• Does it flow logically?
• Is there enough natural light?
• Are bedrooms and bathrooms in the right places?
• Can they imagine living or working here easily?

A great layout sells the lifestyle. Finishes simply decorate it.

The Top 3 Apartment Layouts Buyers Fight For

1. The Optimised Open Plan

Combining kitchen, dining, and living space into one connected area works for most unit sizes. It feels larger, encourages social living, and photographs well — boosting online click-through rates.

Investor tip: Keep kitchen appliances along one wall or in an L-shape to reduce wasted space.

2. The Dual-Aspect Corner Unit

If your site allows it, design units with windows on two sides. Natural light increases perceived size, improves mood, and creates stronger resale value.

Investor tip: Prioritise these for your premium units — they can justify 10–15% higher sales prices.

3. The Smart Two-Bed, Two-Bath

Perfect for sharers, young families, and downsizers alike. Two bathrooms reduce conflict and appeal to higher-paying tenants.

Investor tip: Place bedrooms at opposite ends of the unit for privacy — it’s a subtle feature that sells fast.

How Poor Design Kills Resale and Rent Potential

A common mistake we see from rushed developments:

• Oversized hallways that eat into saleable area
• Kitchens with no prep space
• Bedrooms that barely fit a double bed
• Bathrooms without ventilation or storage

These flaws lead to price reductions, slower sales, and higher vacancy rates. They’re avoidable — but only with an ROI-first design approach from the start.

Before & After: How We Increased Value by 12%

Project: 8-unit apartment conversion, Salford

• Before: Original architect’s plan had long corridors and undersized living areas.
• After: We reworked the layout to reduce circulation space, enlarge living areas, and reposition bathrooms for better flow.
• Result: Achieved sales prices 12% above initial agent valuations, with all units reserved within 4 weeks of launch.