Selling your home usually comes with a mixture of emotions. This is especially the case when you consider all the work you’ve put into the property over the years to turn it into a real home.
However, it’s important to remember that while your personal style is an important part of the interior design process, not all the “improvements” you’ve made over time will always translate into higher resale values.
Most new homebuyers are looking for features that make their lives easier and more comfortable. If you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, you’ll want to ensure you’re addressing these needs.
Below, we’ll cover a variety of design secrets you can use that will not only help you to get more functionality and appeal in your home while also help you create higher asking prices when you’re ready to sell.
Upgrading to Eco-Friendly Appliances
Property buyers aren’t just interested in design layouts or wall colors. They also want to know how much a new home will cost to maintain over the long term and what to expect from their monthly utility bills. Having too many power-hungry appliances in the home can be off-putting, given the extra costs of operation.
If selling a furnished home, one of the best ways to ease these financial concerns is to add high-efficiency appliances. Even small changes make a difference. For example, switching to LED lights can cut your power usage in a home by nearly 75% compared to traditional lighting options.
Another smart move is installing a smart thermostat. This helps prevent running the AC or heat in empty rooms, reducing unnecessary power consumption when no one is in the home. It’s a simple upgrade that can go a long way to helping buyers feel more at ease about the home’s monthly costs.
Improving Kitchen Workflow and Practicality
Kitchens are typically located in a central part of the home. This is why they’re usually the first room people notice when they start taking a property tour. Because of this, updating its layout is often one of the best investments you can make for improving your home’s perceived value.
The good news is that you don’t always need to worry about a large kitchen remodeling project to impress potential buyers. You can often have a significant impact by making a series of small, strategic changes. For example, try clearing the counters to highlight the available workspace, or replace older hardware finishes or install new cabinetry.
Repainting or resurfacing cabinets is another affordable way to update their appearance. This helps to give the space a fresh, clean look while keeping your project costs lower and more budget-friendly.
Installing Durable Modern Flooring
Refreshing your flooring is another great way to ensure an active and engaging open house showing. These upgrades help give your home a modern feel and often make it much more appealing to a wider buyer base. However, before you tear up old carpets, it’s worth considering which materials offer the best return on investment.
In most cases, buyers prefer wood planks to carpet because they last longer and are easier to maintain. If real hardwood is too expensive, though, high-quality laminate is another great option. It gives you a high-end look without breaking your budget and holds up well to daily wear and tear.
Leveraging Built-In Storage Options
It doesn’t matter how large or small your property is – most people can never have enough storage space. Adding practical storage options is another great way to give the wow factor for potential buyers.
The good news is there are plenty of affordable ways to create more space, even when you don’t have much square footage to work with. You could add extra racks in your closets to maximize vertical space or use rolling bins under the beds. You might also consider furniture options with built-in storage compartments. These small details can have a big impact on buyers who want to store their belongings without making their home feel cluttered.
Utilizing Neutral Tones
Giving your walls a fresh coat of paint is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to improve your home’s sellability. It helps you make a great first impression the moment a buyer walks through the door and keeps the whole house smelling clean and new.
Before you pick a color, consider the people who are likely to tour the home. Your goal should be to present a clean, open feel that appeals to everyone. It’s important for buyers to see the space’s potential rather than being distracted by bold colors that may not align with their style.
Stick with understated shades like creamy whites or soft greys. These tones create a blank canvas, helping buyers envision how they would best use each room.
Swapping Out Outdated Fixtures
When you’re looking for ways to improve your home’s style, it’s easy to overlook the small details. However, updating your fixtures can have a surprisingly large impact on the overall look. It’s one of those little things that make a home feel polished and complete.
Small touches often stand out more than you might realize. Think about replacing old doorknobs, cabinet handles, light fixtures, or even handrails. One small change might not seem like much on its own, but doing this throughout the house really elevates the atmosphere and style.
Improving the Utility of the Laundry Area
The laundry room is often ignored during home projects, but it shouldn’t be. While it may not be a high-traffic area for everyone, a clean, efficient utility space is a strong selling point for families.
Even in a small laundry room, you can make sensible upgrades. For example, you might want to consider adding floating shelves for storing detergent or a folding drying rack for damp clothes. These small additions make daily routines easier and more practical for all types of homeowners.
Get More Value From Your Property
Starting a new home project is always exciting. But before you dive into specific design choices, it’s important to prioritize the changes that will resonate with buyers down the road.
By following the design strategies discussed, you’ll increase the long-term value of your home, making it easier to resell in the future while you begin the next chapter in your life.
Author Information
Author Name: Rebecca Denis
Author Bio:
Rebecca Denis is the Head of Interior Design at Revive Real Estate and an accomplished interior designer with over a decade of experience creating inspired, functional spaces. Known for her refined aesthetic and meticulous attention to detail, Rebecca brings creativity and strategy together to transform everyday interiors into meaningful experiences. She’s built a reputation for turning ideas into inspiring spaces that balance beauty, comfort, and function. Rebecca’s diverse portfolio includes commercial projects, curated show homes, and bespoke custom interiors—each reflecting her belief that thoughtful design can elevate how people live, work, and feel in a space.
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