Whether you are planning to move soon or have just moved in, adding value to your home is something that you should always be thinking of with any design or home changes you make. Selling a home can be difficult and being as prepared as possible is only going to benefit you.

There are several ways to maximise your property’s value, and some are much more of an investment than others. However, there are simple interior design choices that can not only attract buyers in the first place but also help to seal the deal when it comes to crunch time.

The guide, collated by our expert interior designers explains some of the ways you can boost the value of your home with simple steps.

Personality, but not too much
This can be confusing and controversial advice, but it does make sense, we promise. We never want anyone to design their home in a way that is uncomfortable for them and doesn’t match their personality, in fact, it’s something we work with our clients to achieve. However, if you are looking to sell your home soon and you are pink-obsessed, you may not want to paint every room in your house a different shade of pink. Of course, that is an extreme example, but you want your home to be both an expression of your personality and also be tasteful for others. Another point to note here is that most people will want to come into a house and redecorate it themselves, so it doesn’t have to suit everybody’s taste, but it should allow potential buyers to imagine themselves in the home without being too distracted by what is already there. Although this won’t directly add value to your home, it will certainly ensure it is more ‘sellable’ and appealing to prospective buyers.

Flooring
Flooring is a great way to add value to the home. Good quality flooring that is fitted correctly is a huge benefit as it shows the home is looked after, and it will also last a long time. For example, if you can afford to invest in solid wood flooring, then do, it looks great, keeps the heat in, keeps the damp out, and is one less monetary investment for potential buyers to fork up. Data from the National Wood Flooring Association shows that installing wood flooring could potentially increase a property’s value anywhere from 1% to 10%.

Converting spaces
Converting spare bedrooms or small spaces into offices has always been a good idea when it comes to adding value and desirability to your home. The easiest way to do this is to convert a space a property already has without the need for an extension. With remote and hybrid working the normality for many people, the obvious and most popular extra space to include in your home would be an office space. You could also consider a dual-purpose room, therefore potential buyers can see the space as both a spare bedroom and an office.
Another way you could convert a space is if you have a loft in the home. A full loft conversion can be more expensive, but this can pay off when selling your home if you can include it as an extra room. Adding another bathroom or toilet into the home can also add value to the property, especially if you only have one of two initially. Popular options here are turning a small storage cupboard into a downstairs bathroom, which can help entice potential buyers who will be thinking about accessibility in the future, and another value-adding space would be for an en-suite if this is possible within your property.

Open-plan spaces
When it comes to open-plan spaces, the kitchen diner area is usually the first one that springs to mind and this is for a reason. An open-plan kitchen diner can make a space look bigger, it’s aesthetically pleasing and experts say that is the most likely to increase the value of a property. A kitchen is a vital part of any home, and research by HSBC revealed that a new kitchen alone can add at least 4.6% to a home’s value. If you’re looking for inspiration, this property from our portfolio is the perfect example of an open-plan kitchen and dining area.

Open-plan kitchen space is ideal for a variety of different buyers, from those who want a great space to host, to those with families who are looking for the perfect family hub. However, when it comes to open-plan spaces, especially kitchens there is a lot to take into consideration to ensure you’re getting the most for your investment and that the kitchen’s style suits your home. For example, you need to consider the visual line of the kitchen, where the lighting comes from, how much storage space you want, and of course what style of kitchen you are looking for. When it comes to kitchen appliances, you also want to look for energy-efficient appliances that will save you and future buyers money over a long time. Working with an expert when it comes to a kitchen is also recommended as it can become a bit of a minefield. Check out ‘why you should work with an interior designer’ in our journal to find out more about how they can help you!

If you would like to speak to one of our experts, get in touch here.

Company Bio
Hi-Spec Design is a family run interior design agency based in Chelsea, South West London. We specialise in bespoke kitchens and work with some of the best appliance manufacturers across Europe, this company is remembered by its customers for its unique and luxurious designs. Read more about our story here.