pG
34
HEAD INTERIOR DESIGNER
ARE YOU DESIGNING
TO BUY OR SELL?
Designing to sell
can be complex but not impossible. There are a lot
of different things to consider. The major point to contend with will always be
the budget. You want to be able to spend your money in the most reasonable
way to get the biggest return. If you have a limited budget, the first place to
spend your money is in the kitchen, and the second place is in the bathrooms.
Curb appeal consists of a couple of different things, both landscaping and
the exterior condition of the house. The landscaping should be easy to
maintain with a mixture of plants. You should also consider the condition of
the driveway; does it need replacing or repairing? You don’t want overgrown
foliage cascading over sideways, covering windows, blocking the view of the
house. The exterior condition of the house is crucial. If buyers see that the
house needs painting, new fascia and eaves, or any other major work,
they will be turned off. The exterior should give the buyer a feeling that
the house is in new condition.
The ‘new condition feeling’ should continue once the buyer comes
into the house. Having a renovated kitchen in an open floor plan
will add value to the home. Large open spaces enhance the feeling
of ample square footage and buyers will be willing to spend more
money. Kitchen layout is critical and if done properly, will be
another selling feature. New matching appliances will also add
value to the kitchen. Countertops that are of natural material will
catch the buyer’s attention. If buyers see that all the hard work has
been completed and that all they have to do is move in, they will be
inclined to spend more money.
Designing to stay
brings up some of the same considerations such as
budget and where to start. When designing to stay there are other factors
to consider such as your likes and dislikes, style and your stage of life. Other
factors to consider include the level of maintenance you want in your home and
potential upgrades.
Style is uniquely your own. Do you prefer traditional, contemporary or somewhere
in the middle? Once you have determined your style make that your guide for the
entire renovation. It will determine kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, flooring,
and window styles, to name a few.
Maintenance is a key consideration when selecting any new material or product.
If you are doing exterior renovations you probably don’t want to repaint the siding
regularly. In the kitchen you may not want to reseal your granite, so a different
product like quartzmay bemore your style.
Thedecision toupgrade isa littleeasier if youknowyouaredesigning tostay. Youmaychoose toupgrade
from a standard tub to a luxurious jetted tub because you enjoy relaxing in the evenings. Maybe you
would like slate in the kitchen rather than vinyl with a slate pattern.
Themaindifferencesbetweendesigningtosellanddesigningtostayaretimeframe,budget,personaltastes,
and custom design. The time frame for designing to sell usually requires a much faster turn around. The
budget for designing to stay canbeadded toas timegoesby. Personal tastes influence designing to stay a
lot more since you knowwho will be living in the house.
We all need that change within the interiors of our homes at some point.
However, before you start thinking of designing and renovating your home
there are two aspects that need to be considered.
SHRINAL PATEL
CROWN PAINTS INTERIOR DESIGNER
