The UK property developer's guide to smart furnishing solutions: faster sales, shorter voids, and a one-stop design-led service.

Guide for Developers

Overview

Why does professional furnishing matter for developers?

In an increasingly competitive market, developers face growing pressure to sell or rent their properties faster while maximising returns. Extended selling times and void periods drive costs, but professional furnishing offers a solution.

25%
The average selling time has increased significantly, rising from 119 days to 149 days over recent periods
700K+
Homes currently unfurnished and vacant across the UK
15%
The time between listing and sale has grown, extending from 182 days to 209 days on average
£20bn
Worth of residential property is currently lying vacant in the UK capital

How does professional furnishing help?

Professional furnishing maximises a property's visual appeal, resulting in quicker sales, reduced void periods, and greater returns on investment.

  • 11% faster sales and 14% quicker lets for properties that are professionally dressed
  • Over 25% of tenants in the UK prefer to rent a furnished property
  • 9% shorter void periods and 8% higher sale prices for professionally dressed properties
  • 94% of estate agents and 100% of developers agree that dressed properties increase the number of viewings per property
  • Up to 21% higher rents for furnished homes in the UK compared to unfurnished homes
  • 24% more buyer interest and 27% more tenant interest for professionally dressed properties

Sources:

1. HSA Report / Manor Interiors / OnTheMarket

Why partner with us

As a family-owned business of over 20 years, we ensure a design-led, people-first approach to deliver quick results.

Family-owned business

Established in 2004

In-house fleet

For faster deliveries

No sub-contracting

Managed by in-house professionals

Combined expertise

Over 100 years of combined expertise in residential property

1,000+ projects

Furnishing projects completed every year since 2004

10,000 sq ft

London warehouse facilities

Overseas clients

Over 75% of all our clients are overseas investors and landlords

Sold on target

90% of properties staged by us are sold within the target period

Recycling and upcycling

Policies for furniture and packaging materials

Our partners

Developers and partners we work with include A2Dominion, Barratt London, Bellway, Berkeley, Iconblu, Knight Frank, Mace, Mount Anvil, Regal London, St Edward, St George, St William, Farrells, Greenland, Poly, Randall Watts, Taylor Wimpey, Vastint, Countryside Partnerships, Thames Tower and Vistry Group.

Our process

01 Consultation

Based on your sales or business goals, our assigned project manager will suggest a design theme and request your floor plans. Once our designers have studied the floor plans, they will incorporate them within the theme that fits your budget and suits your target audience.

02 Concept

Our design team will show you a visual representation and mock-up of the space plan to give you an idea of how our expertise and the overall interiors will complement each other to create an aesthetically appealing home.

03 Installation

Our installation team is quick at their job and will efficiently assemble everything as planned and on time. After removing all the waste, we will ensure you have a show-home standard property to present to potential buyers.

Our services

We offer developers a hassle-free, one-stop, design-led furnishing service. With a range of customisable furniture packs, we deliver quick results within the tightest budgets and timelines.

Dressed units

A custom interior solution using an in-house furniture pack at cost-effective pricing to attract buyers and push sales. Our dressed units improve sales results by 90%.

Incentive furniture pack

An entry-level furnishing solution for clients with large orders to furnish multiple units quickly and within budget. Buyers are 87% more likely to close deals with our incentive packs.

Show home interiors — ani M by InStyle

ani M Interiors, the bespoke design service by InStyle Direct, blends art, culture, and craftsmanship to create unique, high-end interiors for private homes, show homes, and commercial spaces. From antiques to 3D wall art, our bilingual designers add depth and personality to every project.

According to Zoopla, beautifully designed and staged properties can increase value by up to 10% and sell three times faster, making this a smart investment for developers looking to maximise impact and returns.

Communal areas

We specialise in bespoke interior design for communal areas, such as concierge spaces and marketing suites, transforming them into inviting and professional environments that enhance your development's appeal and leave a lasting impression.

With a focus on blending design, functionality, and quality, we help developers make a lasting impact and transform their spaces to new standards of excellence.

Marketing partnership

Boost your property's appeal with our expert marketing support. We know how crucial it is to create a brand that speaks to your target audience. Here's how we can help you stand out and drive engagement:

01 Photography and film

Our in-house team specialises in photography and videography, ensuring your show homes shine. We also offer internal and external property shoots for maximum impact.

02 Promotion

We promote your projects across our website, monthly newsletters, and social channels, reaching over 10,000 landlords and investors — all targeted for maximum visibility.

03 Marketing collateral

We design incentive scheme flyers and brochures to showcase your properties, including development-specific brochures.

04 Events

We help you facilitate buyer or resident events to foster a strong community atmosphere, improve resident satisfaction, and increase engagement.

Track record

Berkeley's West End Gate showhome — sold in 4 weeks

Service: dressed units

Property type3 bed
DeveloperBerkeley
ClientWest End Gate
PostcodeW2
CityLondon
ServicesTailored furniture package
Result achievedShow home sold in 4 weeks post furnishing

One Bishopsgate Plaza — show home design drove multiple sales

Service: dressed units

DeveloperUOL Group Limited
ClientOne Bishopsgate Plaza
PostcodeEC3
CityLondon
ServicesWindow dressings, tailored Diamond package
Result achieved2 units sold off the back of the show flat

100% immediate rentals — 450 units for Vastint

Service: build-to-rent furnishings

DeveloperVastint
ClientSugar House Island
PostcodeE15
Scheme450 homes (show homes, studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms)
ServicesTailored furniture packages
Result achieved100% immediate rentals — wait list generated

Two-bed at High Street Quarter, Hounslow (×3 units)

Service: incentive furniture package

Property typeTwo-bed apartment
DeveloperBarratt London
ClientHigh Street Hounslow
PostcodeTW3
CityLondon
ServicesDressed unit
Result achievedAll the units were sold with the furniture as an incentive, and the scheme assisted in selling multiple units at the development

Leighwood — two-bed house

Service: dressed units

Property typeTwo-bed
DeveloperBerkeley
ClientLeighwood Fields, Cranleigh, Surrey
PostcodeGU6
CityLondon
ServicesDressed unit
Result achieved3 houses sold off the back of this one

Lincoln Square — quick sales post furnishing

Service: show home / ani M Interiors

DeveloperLodha
ClientLincoln Square
PostcodeWC2
CityLondon
ServicesDressed unit
Result achievedUnits were quickly sold after being furnished and styled by us

Testimonials

I just wanted to provide some feedback on the show home your team delivered for us at Leighwood Fields in Cranleigh. We launched it to the public on Saturday, had 12 viewings and subsequently, over the last 3 days, have sold 3 houses off the back of it. It is, therefore, the most successful show home launch we have had this year. We are very happy with the scheme and results it has driven so thank you all.

Daniel Chipps, Head of Sales, Berkeley Homes

I had a very pleasant experience working with InStyle, specifically Mark and Nicole. They are very professional and understand the needs of the clients. The clients and the brokers liked their furnishings package and the interior design. They deliver quality work and they provide good quality furniture. They dress-up two of our apartments and completed the window dressing in a short period of time, from beginning to end, with no hassle. We sold both apartments in less than 6 weeks. We are getting them to do another apartment for us. Highly recommend InStyle, especially Nicole & Mark.

Chin Yee Foo, UOL Group Limited

We were absolutely delighted with the service provided by Emma and her team at InStyle Direct. They dressed a unit for us at one of our developments and the results were fantastic. From day one the communication was very good. In fact, we were so impressed with the scheme, they are currently in the process of dressing another unit for us! Thanks Emma and team.

Zoe Jones, London Square

The team at InStyle have been great to work with. They stylishly dressed a studio apartment for us at The Green Quarter which was subsequently snapped up by a buyer who was keen to take the furniture along with it.

Finn Nixon, Head of Sales, Berkeley West Thames

After the rental success of our first collection of homes at Sugar House Island furnished by InStyle Direct, we wanted to continue our partnership with them and appointed them to furnish our largest collection of homes at Sugar House Island. They have delivered consistently in very challenging times, and I am impressed with their commitment, market knowledge and professionalism. It has been a pleasure working with everyone, from the designers to the delivery and installation team. And I hope to continue this partnership in the coming years.

Zhaleah Qayyum, Head of UK Residential Sales & Lettings, Vastint UK

I had the pleasure of working with Instyle on our recent Build to Rent scheme at Canning Town. The service from Amar, James and the team has been impeccable from start to finish – firstly showing their vast experience in pitching their vision to the client and then delivering the product well within the time frame set. All communication has been clear and any bumps in the road were quickly rectified without fuss. We are now halfway through leasing up the building and our clients and most importantly tenants could not be happier with the quality and finish of the furniture provided. I would have no hesitation in recommending Instyle and hope to work with Amar and his team again on future projects.

David Ornsby, Partner, Carter Jonas

Leading with sustainability

Best practices and a planet-first approach by InStyle Direct. Data range: 2023–2024.

Zero
Landfill policy
17.7 tonnes
Of cardboard and paper recycled
2 tonnes
Of CO2 emissions reduced by recycling
261
Trees saved by recycling
406,775
Litres of water saved
33% less
Emissions (up to 91 tonnes of CO2 reduced) by using a 93% ULEZ-compliant, hybrid or electric fleet
  • InStyle is on its journey to become carbon neutral
  • Active support to charities and local communities

Get in touch

Head office

Studio 13, The Courtyard, 100 Villiers Road, London NW2 5PJ

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8964 1966

E: sales@instyledirect.co.uk

Chelsea showroom

15 The Boulevard, Imperial Wharf, Fulham, London SW6 2UB

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3602 0906

By appointment only

Hammersmith showroom

Distillery Wharf, Chancellors Road, Fulham Reach, Hammersmith, London W6 9GX

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8600 0960

By appointment only

Nine Elms showroom

Unit C, Nine Elms Point, 6 Hebden Place, London SW8 2LF

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3282 3700

By appointment only

Studio 13, 100 Villiers Rd, London NW2 5PJ · info@instyledirect.com · www.instyledirect.com · +44 20 8964 1966

To know more about

Guide for Developers