Each decade has its own home fashion trends; some we remember with fondness, others make us laugh. But if you're a landlord, interior design is a serious matter – it can mean the difference between a successful let and prolonged void periods.

If you're intending to let a property, take a step back and view it as someone looking to rent might. Unlike buyers, tenants don't have the freedom to redecorate their new home to their own taste, which is why a neutral palette, boring as it might seem, works best. To maximize your rental, you should also aim to update your décor every few years.

Here is a reminder of the retro styles which, sadly, won't pass muster on today's rental market.

The vibrant colours and patterns of the Sixties were linked to the era's hippie culture

1960s – Groovy Good Looks

As well as The Beatles, miniskirts and flower power, the Sixties brought in great social and cultural change.The décor of our homes reflected the new-found freedom of the younger generation and is instantly recognisable due to its strong colours and patterns linked to the era’s hippie culture.

Sixties interior must-haves: avocado kitchens and bathrooms, vibrant colours with deliberate clashing, eccentric lighting and faux wood paneling.

1970s – Bold and Beautiful

The Seventies were an interesting time for style and design. Thanks to a change in mortgage laws, more people than ever were able to buy their own homes, fuelling a passion for DIY and personalisation.

Seventies interior must-haves: wall-to-wall carpeting (not even the bathrooms escaped), Artex ceilings, heavily stylised print wallpapers in orange and gold hues, pine kitchen cabinets and whirlpool

Wallpaper borders, pastel prints and 'swags and tails' curtains were all the rage in the Eighties

1980s – Powerful Personality

The world of Eighties' interior design is a richly complex one, from metallic accents to striking angles and curves. Reflective surfaces, achieved with materials such as mirror, chrome and glass, were used to visually enlarge a room.

Eighties interior must-haves: pastel prints and chintz textiles, laminate or vinyl flooring, mirror-fronted wardrobes, wallpaper borders, ‘swags and tails’ curtains, brass fixtures and fittings.

1990s – Less is More

With life speeding up and an increase in dual-income households, interior design became all about minimalism, where beige and white ruled. Open space, sleek lines and geometric contours mirrored the fast-paced lifestyle that began to take hold as a cultural reality. Low-maintenance anything, including hard-surface flooring, self-cleaning ovens and high-powered dishwashers, was in vogue.

Nineties interior must-haves: neutral carpets and décor in general, all the latest kitchen gadgets to include dishwashers and microwaves, shaker style kitchen units, double glazing, tiled kitchen and bathroom flooring.

Noughties design was characterised by kitchens with granite worktops and stainless steel fixtures

Noughties – Individual Stamp

Our Noughties homes were characterised by a more individual and comfortable feel, introducing colour, thrift and green living. From feature walls to vintage boho chic and retro restyling – cool but cold minimalism was almost a thing of the past.

Noughties interior must-haves: feature walls, contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, marble and granite worktops, mod cons such as under floor heating, stainless steel fixtures and fittings.

Now – Added Extras

2016's interior must-haves include ‘up-to-date’ kitchens and bathrooms, hi-speed wifi connection and surround sound media, real wood flooring, efficient heating and water systems.

However, installing additional bonus items, such as built-in wine fridges, coffee machines and wood burning stoves, where possible can be a way of setting your house apart from the competition.

Further information

For more advice, contact Savills Lettings experts or view available properties to rent