Across busy lease-up seasons, our rental valuation guide keeps pointing to the same truth, renters decide when a home feels easy to live in. Finishes may spark interest, but layout is what reduces daily friction, from snowy boot drop-offs to weeknight dinners and quiet study time.
At PMI Reliant, we support residential owners throughout Orem. Creating the best rental floor plans in Orem, UT comes down to smooth movement, protected privacy, and rooms that flex as lifestyles change.
Key Takeaways
- Strong layouts help prospects picture routines fast, which can shorten vacancy time.
- Clean traffic paths and simple drop zones make homes feel calmer and more functional.
- Smart bedroom and bathroom placement supports privacy for families and shared households.
- Flex spaces add leasing power as remote and hybrid schedules stay common.
- Practical kitchens, laundry zones, and storage keep residents comfortable and more likely to renew.
Flow First: Make the Home Easy to Navigate
Start by evaluating circulation. A good floor plan guides someone from the entry to the main living area, then toward the kitchen and bedrooms without awkward detours or tight pinch points. If doors collide in hallways, or the shortest route to a bathroom cut through private space, the home feels less comfortable.
In Orem, entry flow matters because gear piles up quickly. A bench, hooks, or a narrow console can keep clutter from migrating into the living room.
Open Living Areas With Purposeful Zones
Open layouts remain popular because they bring in light and make shared spaces feel larger. They also match how many households live, cooking, eating, and relaxing in the same general zone. National trends support that preference, with 54% of new homes featuring open kitchen and dining arrangements.
Open plans perform best when they still feel organized. A kitchen island, a rug boundary, or lighting changes can create a clear dining area and a clear lounging area without adding walls. If the home offers outdoor access, keep the route obvious from the main living space so it feels usable.
Privacy Starts With Bedroom Placement
Bedroom location plays a major role in long-term satisfaction. Noise, light, and foot traffic can disrupt comfort when bedrooms sit too close to active areas. In Utah County, shared housing is common, whether it’s roommates splitting costs or families accommodating relatives, so privacy-friendly placement can be a real competitive edge.
Layouts that tend to lease well in Orem usually include:
- Split-bedroom arrangements that separate the primary suite from other bedrooms
- Closets, baths, or laundry spaces that buffer bedrooms from living areas
- A guest-accessible bathroom that doesn’t require walking past multiple bedroom doors
When owners consider changes, we encourage tying decisions to performance goals. Reviewing options alongside ROI and cash-flow metrics helps you prioritize improvements that protect rentability.
Flex Spaces That Fit Real Life
A rigid floor plan limits who the home works for. A flexible one expands your applicant pool. Many renters want a room that can shift between office, guest space, nursery, or hobby room over the course of a lease.
Remote and hybrid work keeps that demand steady. The U.S. workforce includes 36.07 million remote part-time workers, which is one reason “bonus space” now shows up in so many tours and applications.
A flex space doesn’t have to be large. It needs separation, decent light, and enough wall space for a desk or storage.
Kitchens and Laundry That Reduce Daily Friction
Tenants live in the workflow of a kitchen. Clear movement between sink, stove, and refrigerator makes meal prep easier, especially when more than one person is in the space. Counter space matters but so does where it’s located. A usable stretch beside the stove often beats a tiny corner by the microwave.
Storage affects how the kitchen feels day to day. A workable pantry, drawer depth, and cabinet access can reduce counter clutter. Laundry placement has a similar impact; it should be easy to reach without blocking traffic.
To keep these high-use spaces functioning, many owners rely on smart maintenance strategies that address small issues early, before they become resident frustrations.
Family and Pet-Friendly Layout Choices
Orem rentals often attract families who want practical sightlines and shared spaces that don’t feel cramped. Many households include pets, so layouts that accommodate both groups can widen demand and help reduce vacancy.
Design moves that tend to help include:
- Open sightlines from the kitchen to the main living area for easier supervision
- Easy access to a yard or patio without routing through bedrooms
- Durable “high traffic” zones near entries that can handle wet boots and muddy paws
Clarity also matters. When residents understand what they’re responsible for, and what the owner handles, expectations stay aligned. Our owners often reference tenant upkeep responsibilities when setting standards that support a clean, lease-ready home.
Storage and Accessibility That Keep Tenants Comfortable
Storage is a quiet dealmaker. Closets, linen cabinets, pantry space, and a usable garage help renters stay organized, which makes the space feel bigger.
Accessibility shapes demand too. Single-story homes can appeal to a wider range of renters, while two-story homes lease well when bedrooms and bathrooms are placed logically and traffic to common spaces doesn’t cut through private areas.
Make the Layout Easy to “Get” Online
Even a great floor plan can underperform if the listing is confusing. Use consistent photos that show room-to-room connections, and include a simple floor plan image when possible.
If you want layout decisions to translate into long-term performance, pair design thinking with operational strategy. Many owners see better outcomes after reviewing our approach to rental management profits and then applying those insights to pricing, maintenance, and tenant experience.
FAQs about Creating the Best Rental Floor Plans in Orem, UT
What layout features help Orem rentals lease faster?
Layouts tend to lease faster when the entry, living space, and kitchen connect smoothly, bedrooms feel set back from noise, and storage is easy to use. Defined zones and good lighting help prospects imagine daily routines during a quick tour.
How much does bedroom placement affect tenant retention?
It affects retention a lot. Bedrooms buffered from living-room noise support better sleep and privacy, especially with roommates or multigenerational households. When residents feel comfortable and undisturbed, renewals often feel like the simplest choice.
Are open layouts always the right choice in Orem?
Open layouts perform well when the space still has clear zones for dining and lounging. If everything blends together, tenants struggle with furniture placement and noise. Simple boundaries like islands, rugs, and lighting keep open plans practical.
How can a rental support remote work without remodeling?
A spare bedroom, loft, or nook can work if it has strong lighting, nearby outlets, and separation from main living noise. Tenants want a place for calls and focused work that still feels comfortable and usable.
What’s a budget-friendly way to improve a floor plan’s feel?
Focus on usability: open traffic paths with better furniture placement, add storage solutions like shelving or closet systems, and improve lighting in tight spots. Small functional updates can make the home feel calmer without major construction.
Protect the Layout With Consistent Care
A winning floor plan supports real life. It guides movement, protects privacy, and gives renters flexibility as needs change. When kitchens, laundry, storage, and outdoor access work smoothly, residents feel settled, and that stability shows up in renewal rates.
At PMI Reliant, we help owners protect those advantages with consistent oversight and responsive care. Strengthen your rental with maintenance and let’s keep your home performing through every season.
