If you've got a spare bedroom that's going to waste, then taking on a lodger is a great way to make some extra cash. Whether it's the old bedroom of a child who's grown up and moved out, an abandoned home office or a storage room full of old junk, chances are it's not quite ready to rent out yet. Making the room as clean, comfortable and presentable as possible means you'll rent it out quickly and can charge a good price. A poorly maintained room won't attract much interest, and you could risk complaints. Here's what you need to do to make sure the room is ready for your new lodger.

Repaint the walls

A good lick of paint can do wonders for a tired looking room. It's even more important if you're renting out what used to be a kid's room — your lodger probably won't be thrilled to fall asleep looking at football wallpaper or princess stickers. Choose a bright, neutral colour to make the room look clean and large. You should pick a common shade that's readily available to purchase in case you need to touch areas up over time.

Remove any unnecessary furniture

Spare rooms can often become dumping grounds for all sorts of items you're not sure what to do with. Don't make your lodger put up with a mishmash of old cabinets, drawers and tables — they might feel like they're living in a jumble sale! You should limit the furniture to a bed, table, desk, chair, wardrobe and chest of drawers. Everything else should be put into storage or got rid of. Less furniture will make the room feel larger and less imposing, allowing your lodger to put their own stamp on the place.

Deep clean fabrics

Soft furnishings and fabrics are often the worst culprits when it comes to holding onto dust, mould and bacteria. This is unpleasant at best, and a health hazard at worst. You should hire a professional carpet cleaning service, even if they look fine. You might be shocked to find that your carpet is actually a few shades lighter than it appears right now.

You should also take down and wash any curtains or blinds, particularly if the room has ever been used by a smoker. Cigarette smoke can linger in fabrics and might not be noticeable to you.

If the bed's been well used, then it's worth investing in a new mattress. This will be a great selling point and will ensure your lodger gets a good night's rest. If there's any furniture with soft covers, wash these too, or remove them. Hard surfaces are easier to clean between tenants, so avoid too much fabric.