Research shows that over 85% of homebuyers are willing to pay over $22,000 more for a property with smart home technology and other upgraded features. Upgrading your home’s design can pay off when it’s time to sell.
Whether you want to sell your home soon or maximize your long-term investment, focusing on functionality aesthetics is key. Even relatively small changes to improve the design and appearance of your home can pay off when the time to sell comes.
Power of Aesthetics in Real Estate
When working with a residential seller, 97% of people believe curb appeal is important in attracting a buyer. While things like location and market conditions are outside your control, the design and appearance of your home are areas where you can significantly impact your return on investment (ROI).
Well-designed, stylish spaces create an instant positive first impression and an emotional connection with viewers. Buyers can more easily envision living in the space when a home is visually appealing and cohesive. Its sense of warmth and welcome translates directly to a higher perceived value.
Design choices should align with your target buyers. For young families, bright and cheerful colors may appeal, along with kid-friendly spaces. For empty nesters, create a relaxing oasis with spa-like bathrooms. Tech-savvy buyers may desire smart home features and an open floor plan.
Smart Design Decisions for Increased Value
Even minor renovations like updated lighting fixtures or wood flooring can provide a solid return on investment. Here is some advice on smart design decisions:
First Impression Matters
A beautiful, welcoming exterior draws buyers in and makes a strong first impression. Simple upgrades like fresh landscaping, exterior lighting, a new front door, and a fresh coat of paint on the home’s facade can instantly boost curb appeal.
Painting walls in neutral, modern colors and adding elegant lighting fixtures, hardware, tile work, and textiles can give interiors a sophisticated, high-end feel that appeals to buyers. Staging a home with attractive, coordinated furniture and decor also helps buyers visualize themselves living there.
Functional and Inviting Interiors
When staging a home for sale, you should maximize space utilization while creating a sense of openness. Remove any unnecessary walls to open up smaller spaces. Install mirrored closets. Repurpose unused spaces like attics into functional living areas.
Carefully considering your home’s layout and flow can make spaces more open and welcoming. Strategic furniture placement, muted color palettes, and a clutter-free environment are current trends that appeal to buyers.
For sunny cities like Dubai, natural light and neutral tones help convey an airy, upscale feel. Subtle accents and minimal clutter maximize a sense of openness that today’s buyers highly value.
High-Impact Areas
Modernizing important spaces like kitchens and bathrooms can pay off when it comes time to sell. For kitchens, think of durable surfaces, optimized storage, high-end appliances, and open floor plans. For bathrooms, larger showers, double-sink vanities, and neutral tones are solid bets.
Sustainable Design
Incorporating eco-friendly building techniques and materials is an increasingly popular move. Sustainable features like energy-efficient HVAC systems, low-flow plumbing, insulation, and solar power can reduce energy costs and attract environmentally conscious buyers.
Green building techniques like Energy Star-certified windows can also boost value.
For example, 80% of Dubai household waste is sorted and recycled. Though initial investments in Dubai properties may be higher, sustainable design elements can pay for themselves over time while contributing to your home’s future resale value.
Balance Aesthetics With Functionality
A home’s aesthetic appeal is important, but design decisions should work hand-in-hand with functionality. Decorative touches like accent walls and updated fixtures are nice.
However, functional features are maintained and updated as needed to make a space shine. A cluttered, cramped environment is a turn-off, even if it’s decorated.
You should focus first on fixes that address damage or defects throughout the home. Then determine which simple, affordable changes will make the most difference aesthetically in key spaces like the kitchen, bathrooms, and curb appeal. A few targeted tweaks can often heighten the look and feel of your home before the sale.
Make Smart Design Investments
As you take on design projects, prioritize changes that give you the most bang for your buck. Seek help from real estate agents or professional designers to identify which investments may yield the highest ROI. While a full remodel may be ideal, even small DIY upgrades can pay off.
In a Nutshell
Whether you’re looking to sell your home shortly or want to enhance its value for your enjoyment, investing in aesthetics through smart design decisions is a surefire way to elevate your property’s appeal and maximize its potential ROI.
