How Olivia Bowen went from Love Island runner-up to creating a multi-million pound property portfolio and a new career in interior design

Olivia Bowen has opened up about her journey towards starting a new career in interior design and building up a multi-million pound property portfolio.

The reality star, 30, shot to fame as runner-up on season two of Love Island in 2016 with her now-husband Alex, 32, before going on to tie the knot in September 2018 and welcome son Abel, two.

After leaving the show, the couple earned thousands through brand deals and even had their own TV show, Olivia and Alex Said Yes, on TLC in 2018.

But Olivia has explained that she is aware of the fleeting nature of Love Island fame, and decided to begin investing in property, while following her dream of a career in interior design. 

In a new interview with The Sunday Times, she said: ‘I know Love Island won’t last for ever. I’ve got my [influencing] career, which I absolutely adore, but I know things are going to change. Interior design has become something that I want to do with my life. 

Olivia Bowen has opened up about her journey towards starting a new career in interior design and building up a multi-million pound property portfolio (pictured with Alex and Abel) 

The reality star, 30, shot to fame as runner-up on season two of Love Island in 2016 with her now-husband Alex, 32, before going on to tie the knot in September 2018 and welcome son Abel, two (pictured together on show)

But Olivia has explained that she is aware of the fleeting nature of Love Island fame, and decided to begin investing in property, while following her dream of a career in interior design

‘My dad always instilled the importance of property into me and I had that in the back of my mind.’

Alex and Olivia splashed out around £800,000 in 2017 to purchase their first home in Chelmsford, Essex, before buying Olivia’s dream house in 2020 for just over £1 million.

The same year they also invested £128,000 into a one-bedroom in Birmingham, to renovate it and then rent it out.

Continuing to build their buy-to-let property portfolio, the following year they bought a three-bedroom rental property for £175,000.

Last year, they sold their Essex house for £500,000 more than they bought it for and bought a plot in Essex for £250,000 in June 2023. 

And Olivia revealed the couple plan to buy a whopping four more two-bedroom properties in Manchester over the next two months.

She explained that her passion for property investment lies in the interior design side, and is budgeting around £15,000 per house to make them perfect for renters.

But the mother-of-one admitted that she had a lot to learn when she bought her first home, saying she was ‘absolutely awful’ at interior design at the start and ‘made so many interior mistakes’.

Alex and Olivia splashed out around £800,000 in 2017 to purchase their first home in Chelmsford, Essex, before buying Olivia’s dream house in 2020 for just over £1 million

And Olivia revealed the couple plan to buy a whopping four more two-bedroom properties in Manchester over the next two months

But the mother-of-one admitted that she had a lot to learn when she bought her first home, saying she was ‘absolutely awful’ at interior design at the start and ‘made so many interior mistakes’ 

She created an Instagram account to document the renovation of their dream house, almost from scratch, allowing fans a glimpse into the process from start to finish

Finally moving into to their lavish home last month, the couple proudly displayed the final results of the swanky pad, which features an ‘ocean room’ for their toddler and even a sweet nod to the Love Island villa in Mallorca where they first met

She revealed that her childhood dream house was a ‘complete renovation job’ that needed a lot of work done to it and she didn’t want to make the same mistakes.

Determined to master the craft, Olivia decided to take the opportunity to learn about interior design while in lockdown, completing her online diploma in three months. 

She created an Instagram account to document the renovation of their dream house, almost from scratch, allowing fans a glimpse into the process from start to finish.

Finally moving into to their lavish home last month, the couple proudly displayed the final results of the swanky pad, which features an ‘ocean room’ for their toddler and even a sweet nod  to the Love Island villa in Mallorca where they first met.

Olivia admitted her pride at seeing everything come together and developing her skills, saying it was a sign of the importance of not dismissing former reality stars.

She said: ‘You’re put in a box when you go on Love Island, but I don’t want that. I want to invest in property and I want to be an interior designer, so that’s what I’m going to do.’

Olivia admitted her pride at seeing everything come together and developing her skills, saying it was a sign of the importance of not dismissing former reality stars (pictured on Love Island)

Photos and videos from the couple’s stunning home show a luxury ensuite bedroom in a classy style with his-and-hers white and gold sinks and marble worktops, with matching mirrors and a large glass shower 

The kitchen was designed with cream and wooden tones boosting an elegant but minimal style, completed with wooden stools

The couple were particularly fond of the result for little Abel’s room, which presented an ocean artwork spanning throughout one whole wall with designs of various creatures that live in ocean’s waters

And Olivia couldn’t stop gushing over their outdoor entertaining space which she hailed as a ‘a little Italian haven’ with an outdoor spot perfect for a BBQ, set under a wooden pergola

Photos and videos from the couple’s stunning home show a luxury ensuite bedroom in a classy style with his-and-hers white and gold sinks and marble worktops, with matching mirrors and a large glass shower.

Olivia ensured to give a visible Mediterranean-style touch to their new pad, and even admitted they went all the way to Lake Como to purchase the right items for their outdoor area.

The couple were particularly fond of the result for little Abel’s room, which they called the ocean room. 

The space presented an ocean artwork spanning throughout one whole wall with designs of various creatures that live in ocean’s waters.

The kitchen was designed with cream and wooden tones boosting an elegant but minimal style, completed with wooden stools.

And Olivia couldn’t stop gushing over their outdoor entertaining space which she hailed as a ‘a little Italian haven’.

It featured cream-coloured worktops and a large outdoor oven set with rustic blue and red design on terracotta tiles which served as a rustic splashback.

The gorgeous outdoor spot looked perfect for a summer BBQ, all set under a wooden pergola to enjoy a bit of the sunshine.

The pair even made a sweet nod to their time on Love Island, as the outside kitchen looked just like the al fresco foodie area of the famous villa.