Closets That Lease Apartments

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Why storage is becoming the secret weapon in competitive lease-ups.

 

When it comes to attracting residents, most developers focus on the “wow” factors: countertops, lighting, flooring, and views. But what if one of the biggest leasing advantages was hiding behind a sliding door?

Closets—once an afterthought in unit design—are becoming one of the most quietly persuasive features on the tour. And in a competitive market, they’re making the difference between a maybe and a yes.

Logic Closet by Spatia Designs

The Data Says It Matters

Industry data backs it up. According to the Greystar 2024 Renter Survey, closet space ranked among the top three most important features for renters—outpacing trendy amenities like fitness centers or coworking spaces. Over 90% of respondents said that storage plays a major role in how livable a unit feels.

And it’s not just about size. Adjustable systems, walk-in functionality, and thoughtful layouts carry real weight in the decision-making process. In many cases, the closet is a deciding factor.

The First Real Impression

When a leasing agent opens the closet door, something subtle happens: the prospect sees whether the space fits their life.

If the closet feels cramped, fixed, or cheap, it sends a message—this unit might not support how they actually live. But when the system is adjustable, sturdy, and thoughtfully laid out with drawers and shelving, it signals flexibility and care.

Logic Closet by Spatia Designs

“Big, neat, custom-built closets can push a renter to fall further in love with a home they already like, and conversely, jam-packed, small, and/or disorganized closets can add to a buyer’s already negative impression of a home.” — Steven Gottlieb, agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg in New York, NY

Closets Change the Leasing Agent’s Energy Too

There’s something powerful about walking into a unit with confidence. Leasing agents light up when they have something worth showing off. A well-designed closet becomes a talking point—a visual cue that this unit is different.

Even in smaller or more budget-conscious units, a strong closet system elevates the tour. Instead of skipping past it, agents lean in. Prospects notice.

From First Tour to Long-Term Stay

It doesn’t stop at the lease. When residents move in and feel genuinely organized, it changes how they feel about their home.

They bring less furniture. Their spaces feel cleaner. And over time, that lack of friction improves satisfaction. According to SatisFacts, residents who report a better move-in experience are 2.5x more likely to renew their lease.

Well-designed closets reduce maintenance tickets too. No more sagging shelves or bent rods. No more anchor repairs. Just a strong system that works.

Luxe Closet by Spatia Designs

Sell the Closet, Win the Lease

Not every amenity gets noticed. Not every upgrade delivers ROI.

But closets? They’re opened. They’re used daily. And when designed right—they lease apartments.

If you’re ready to turn your closets into a competitive edge, we’d love to help.

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5 Overlooked Details That Reveal How Much a Property Team Really Cares

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Small Details, Big Impressions: How Everyday Maintenance Signals Excellence to Your Residents

 

In a competitive rental market, the difference between signing a lease and losing a prospect often isn’t the amenities listed on your website — it’s the unspoken cues noticed during a tour.

Rooftop decks, smart locks, and pet spas are impressive, but prospects are asking themselves more fundamental questions:

* Will I feel cared for here?
* Will my requests be taken seriously?
* Does the team take pride in this property?

These answers aren’t always in your marketing materials. They’re found in the small, overlooked details — the high-touch points that tell the truth about how a property is maintained and managed.

Here are five of the most telling details, and what they reveal about your team’s commitment to excellence.

 

1. Closet Shelving That’s Warped, Bowing, or Broken

Closets are one of the first features prospects interact with — they open the doors, imagine how their wardrobe would fit, and assess whether the space is usable.

But all too often, closet systems are flimsy afterthoughts. Warped wire racks, sagging shelves, or poorly anchored supports not only cheapen the experience, they raise questions about how the rest of the unit has been maintained.

High-touch moment: When you open the closet door during a tour, you’re offering a moment of trust. Make sure what they see reinforces confidence, not concern.

 

2. Floor Moldings and Trim

Baseboards and door casings may not stand out when freshly installed, but they quickly become noticeable when dusty, scuffed, or separating from the wall.

These trim details silently frame every room and communicate a property’s standard of upkeep. Prospects won’t say, “Wow, great baseboards,” but they will notice when they’re dirty, peeling, or missing entirely in high-traffic areas.

High-touch moment: Walking through the unit. When a prospect’s eyes scan the space, well-kept moldings reinforce your care.

 

3. Windows That Are Dirty, Fogged, or Smudged

Few features sell an apartment better than natural light. But if your windows are dusty, foggy, or streaked with cleaning residue, the light feels less inviting.

Clean windows do more than brighten the room — they reflect pride in the space. Fogged dual-pane glass or water spots from hard water don’t just look bad; they suggest deferred maintenance.

High-touch moment: When the leasing agent opens blinds or curtains, the view should wow — not underwhelm.

 

4. Cabinet Hardware, Fixtures, and Faucets

Loose drawer pulls, mismatched knobs, or handles that spin instead of open signal poor attention to detail. If these are loose or off-kilter during a tour, prospects will assume larger issues are being ignored too.

The same goes for faucet handles that squeak, knobs that drip, or light fixtures with burnt-out bulbs.

High-touch moment: When a prospect opens a kitchen drawer or turns on a faucet. A smooth, sturdy interaction builds trust.

 

5. Entryways, Door Frames, and Touch Points

Front doors get touched more than anything else in the unit. Smudged handles, chipped paint, or unclean door frames speak volumes.

Even worse: scuffed floors right inside the threshold. These marks suggest high turnover and little care in preparing the unit.

High-touch moment: The moment the leasing agent opens the front door. It’s your first real impression. Make it count.

 

These Details Speak for You — Make Sure They’re Saying the Right Thing

These aren’t just aesthetic issues — they’re trust indicators. In a world where renters have more choices than ever, and vacancy rates are ticking upward, prospects are more critical.

They’re walking into units and asking:

Will my maintenance requests get handled quickly?
Does this team actually care about the space — and by extension, about me?

That’s why the overlooked details matter.

At Spatia Designs, we believe better spaces create better outcomes. Whether it’s an upgraded closet that feels intuitive and well-built, or simply ensuring the trim is clean and sharp, these small touches have a big impact.

They drive retention. They speed up lease-ups. They boost NOI.

 

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The Hidden Influence of Storage on Property Value

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Why giving residents more closet space could be your smartest capital investment.

When developers look to increase the value of their multifamily properties, the focus often falls on flashy amenities—rooftop lounges, resort-style pools, or smart locks with mobile access.

But the secret to long-term value creation might be tucked away in a space you’re overlooking: the closet.

More Storage = More Value

In Greystar’s 2024 Design Survey, 88% of renters said they want more closet space—making it one of the top amenities driving leasing decisions across all regions and asset classes.

That stat isn’t just about personal preference. It reflects a growing need as renters downsize, consolidate, and seek better organization in their homes. And properties that deliver on this are seeing tangible results—faster lease-ups, higher retention, and even increases in asset value.

Why? Because closet space isn’t just an amenity—it’s functionality. And functionality drives satisfaction. And satisfaction drives NOI.

Logic Closet by Spatia Designs

Closet Design as a Value-Add Strategy

When closet systems are thoughtfully designed—and flexible enough to meet real resident needs—they do more than store belongings. They:

•Reduce turnover by improving day-to-day livability

•Support higher rents by creating perceived (and actual) value

•Boost property value through low-cost, high-impact upgrades

Appraisers take functionality and design into account. So while a walk-in closet may not be its own line item, a modern, well-organized unit stands out in comps—especially when prospective renters are willing to pay more to live there.

Logic Closet by Spatia Designs

The Spatia Designs Difference

At Spatia, we help developers turn this insight into action.

Our adjustable closet systems give you a simple, scalable way to enhance livability without breaking budget. You don’t need to redesign floorplans—you just need to rethink the value of the space you already have.

In Closing

When evaluating your next investment or renovation project, consider this:

✅ Pools and gyms get attention.

✅ Closet space wins renewals.

✅ And small, smart upgrades inside the unit can have a major impact on your bottom line.

 

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The Hidden Costs of Turnover: Why It’s Eating Away at Your NOI

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Turnover is often treated as a routine expense in multifamily operations, but its impact on NOI (Net Operating Income) is anything but ordinary. With the average unit turnover cost exceeding $5,000, the financial implications can quickly eat away at NOI like a late-night craving for turnovers devours your diet plan.

In 2025, focusing on retention and tackling turnover head-on isn’t just a strategy—it’s a necessity.

Let’s “Turnover” the Numbers
Turnover costs are staggering. Let’s break it down for a typical 250-unit property:

  • Rent: $1,253/month
  • Days vacant: 39
  • Unpaid balance at move-out: $415
  • Vacant utility cost: $135
  • Unit turn cost: $2,075
  • CAC (marketing, concessions, screening, etc.): $856

Total per unit: $5,109

For a property with a 50% turnover rate (116 units/year), this translates to an annual turnover cost of $592,644.

The takeaway? Turnover is one of the most significant threats to profitability, but it’s also an area where small changes can yield big results.

Why Turnover is So Expensive
Turnover isn’t just about the time and money spent getting a unit ready for a new resident. It impacts every layer of your NOI:

  1. Vacant Days
    Every day a unit sits empty is lost revenue. With an average vacancy period of 39 days, properties are bleeding cash while waiting for new leases.
  2. Marketing Costs
    Filling empty units requires marketing dollars, leasing staff time, and often concessions to entice renters.
  3. Operational Strain
    Maintenance teams are stretched thin with unit turns, delaying responsiveness to existing residents—a vicious cycle that can drive further turnover.

Small Adjustments, Big Gains
The good news? You don’t have to overhaul your operations to make an impact. Incremental improvements can significantly boost NOI.

  • Reduce Turnover Rates:
    Cutting turnover from 50% to 45% could add $61,308 in NOI annually.
  • Shorten Vacant Days:
    Reducing vacancy periods from 39 days to 35 days could generate $16,790 in additional NOI.
  • Lower Unpaid Balances:
    A 25% reduction in unpaid balances adds $10,400 to NOI.
  • Streamline Unit Turn Costs:
    Trimming unit turn costs by 20% results in an extra $48,140 in NOI.

These seemingly small changes can snowball into significant financial gains.

The Role of Resident Retention
At its core, reducing turnover comes down to retention. Properties that prioritize resident satisfaction are reaping the rewards:

  • Faster maintenance response times build trust and loyalty.
  • Thoughtful amenities, like well-designed closet systems, enhance daily living.
  • Transparent communication ensures residents feel valued and heard.

Retention isn’t just about keeping residents happy—it’s about keeping your NOI intact.

The Final Turn
As you plan for 2025, ask yourself:

  • How can you make retention a priority?
  • Where can you tighten up your turnover processes?

Turnover isn’t just a cost of doing business—it’s an opportunity to do better. By focusing on the metrics that matter, you can protect your NOI, improve resident satisfaction, and position your property for long-term success.

Want to learn more about how thoughtful upgrades, like Spatia Designs’ closet systems, can help you reduce turnover? DM us on LinkedIn & check out our Gallery to see our LOGIC and LUXE closet systems!

Ready to upgrade your closets? Get 40% off your first order—exclusively for our newsletter subscribers. [Click here to claim your discount!]

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