How the Interior Design Process Can Improve your Property Value

Orange County real estate is a hot topic! Which is no surprise—given the beautiful beaches, quick drive to scenic mountains or desert landscape, the amazing food and entertainment…oh, and the almost-perfect-year-round weather! However, compared to last year, the housing market isn’t as booming, and doesn’t seem to favor the seller at the moment. 

That means that if you plan to sell your Orange County home, you have to beat the competition. One sure way to make your home stand out from your neighbor’s is to make home improvements. In fact, Forbes said this: "With a few strategic home improvement projects, you can not only increase your quality of life in the near-term future, but also add tremendous property value when you’re ready to sell."

We consulted top Orange County real estate agent Erica Hall of the Hall Group, on the subject. Here’s what she had to say. 

“In today’s real estate market, with 52% fewer sales than this time last year, homes must outshine the competition in order to win buyers. That’s why the smartest homeowners are investing wisely into home improvements and design. Not only are they seeing greater success in attracting buyers, but they’re seeing greater return on investment as well. In general, data shows a 70% ROI can be expected on home improvements. This can vary significantly depending on the type and scale of the improvement, but time after time, my experience as a realtor has shown me that my clients’ home equity, and ultimate bottom line in a sale, is much greater when they invest in interior design and home improvements. Even if you’re not planning to sell in the immediate future, you and your resale value will thank you later!”

To help you a) get the most out of your Orange County home while you’re living in it; b) attract more buyers when it comes time to sell; and c) achieve the greatest ROI, we’ve put together a list of the best interior design and home renovation decisions you can make!

1. Modernize and remodel your kitchen

The number one home renovation recommendation we get from real estate agents, financial publications, or housing market professionals is to remodel and modernize the kitchen first! I can’t count the number of times I have heard, “kitchens sell homes.” If you choose to upgrade only one room in your Orange County home before it goes on the market, we recommend that it be your kitchen. Need some ideas on how to modernize and remodel your kitchen? Check out Transform Your Average Kitchen into Luxury with 12 Stunning Remodel Must-Haves. 

2. Give your bathrooms an upgrade

Today’s Orange County homeowners are looking for a luxury bathroom that feels spacious, stylish and functional! If your bathrooms aren’t giving off that vibe, you may want to consider making some interior renovations to it before putting up that “for sale” sign. Upgrading old floors with fresh tile or stone, or swapping out old vanities for new ones, are great ways to give your bathroom a fresh look. Even minor renovations like updating fixtures and lighting, giving your cabinetry a new paint job, adding a larger mirror for a more spacious feel, or replacing your old tub with a stand-alone tub will boost your home’s value. In fact, HGTV says that you can get 102% average return at resale for a minor bathroom remodel. For more bathroom upgrade tips, check out Interior Design: Best Tips to Update Your Bathroom!

3. Make smart bedroom conversions

Have an unused room in your home? Stand out by turning wasted space into a luxury home gym, indoor spa or sauna, or functional home office. If you don’t have much space to spare, you can help potential home buyers in Orange County visualize what they can do with your home by turning the attic into an extra bedroom, or creating multi-use, multi-functional spaces in larger rooms of your home. Consider a home office that doubles as a craft room, school/study space tucked in a game room, or a reading nook or meditation/yoga space in a bedroom. These dual-use spaces are so important as want and need for multipurpose spaces in interior design continue to trend upwards! 

4. Wow them at first sight with an exterior facelift 

The exterior of your home should never look or feel neglected—it is the first opportunity you have to make a good first impression with your home. A well manicured lawn, clean facade, and fresh-looking paint job should be the bare minimum to attract Orange County home buyers. To really make your exterior look luxurious, pay attention to the details: replace old drains, remove non-load-bearing columns to opt for a more open modern look, repaint doors and trim (or the whole house if it's been a while), fix the cracks in your walkways and pool—you get the gist! And last, but certainly not least, update your landscaping for 100% average return at resale.  

5. Add some smart features and luxury touches to your home

Given that we’ve been discussing Orange County interior design, you’ll definitely want to add some pizazz with custom touches and smart features to your home. Keeping in mind that you still need to appeal to the average home buyer, add in the custom touches that everyone is talking about. Here’s a list of our favorite: 

• A smart hub that can manage thermostats, appliances, lighting, music, and more!

• Smart smoke detectors that will not only monitor smoke but also carbon dioxide and general air quality. 

• Smart shades or electronic blackout curtains in the master bedroom. 

• Dimmable LED tape lighting under upper kitchen cabinets or at the bathroom vanity toe-kick.

• Panel-ready appliances (like your dishwasher, wine fridge, or ice maker). 

• Counter-depth refrigerator and freezer combo. 

• A beverage cooler drawer. 

• Waterfall-edge slab countertops on your kitchen island. 

• Soft-close drawer glides and hinges throughout. 

• Epoxy flooring in your garage. 

For more home remodel tips, download our FREE comprehensive remodeling planning guide for remodeling success. This step-by-step guide will help you remodel your Orange County home like an interior design pro! 

Save this blog post for later on your Pinterest Home Renovation Ideas Board!

3 Reasons Why You Should Remodel Your Home Now

Whether you recently purchased a fixer-upper, are looking to sell your home in the near future, or simply want to live in a home with the latest and greatest design features, we believe there's no time like the present to start your home renovation project. But should you remodel now in 2022/2023? Business Insider says that the other side of the housing boom is here: home-renovation projects. In this post-pandemic climate, people all over have realized the value of a comfortable home environment. Here are the top three reasons you should remodel your home now and not wait to create that cozy, sacred space that you crave. 

1. Materials could be unavailable in years to come. 

One of the biggest motivators for remodeling your home now with the talk of a coming economic decline is a likely shortage of materials in years to come. Prepping Planet stated that if you are planning to renovate your house then it is a good idea to buy the materials before a recession comes. During a recession, these construction materials will not have the same demand, which in theory should make their prices lower, but the truth is that most companies will simply stop selling until the market bounces back. Furthermore, we are still seeing shipping delays, so the sooner you can get your materials ordered, the better!

2. Buyers will expect homes to be in tip-top shape.

Selling your home before a recession may be the perfect opportunity to liquidate your equity and build up your nest egg. But today’s housing market is tricky. While some homes in Orange County are still selling over asking price, other sellers are forced to accept offers hundreds of thousands of dollars less than asking price. The bottom line is this: Buyers feel that if they’re going to be paying the full asking price or above, the house should be worth it. Rightfully so. That means that a seller’s home must be in tip-top shape! Read on to hear more about the top spaces to renovate.

3. Home renovations are an investment. 

There are a number of reasons to remodel your home including personal taste or comfort, to fix an issue like the electrical wiring, or simply to improve the efficiency and functionality of your home. But the #1 reason to remodel your home is to increase your home’s value. 

The areas of your home that will increase your home’s value and provide you with the greatest return on investment (ROI) are kitchens, home offices, and outdoor spaces. We also believe that accessory dwelling units (ADUs or granny flats) could also have made the list, but we will tackle that at a later time.  

The Kitchen 

One survey says Americans spend more than an average of 400 hours a year in the kitchen. It’s where we start the day with a morning coffee, where we commune with friends over a snack and a spindrift, and where we come together with family at the end of the day to make a meal and connect. Hence a kitchen remodel will provide the greatest ROI compared to any other room renovation.  An upgraded high-end kitchen will clearly appeal to homeowners and home buyers alike. When remodeling your kitchen, it's vital to keep a few key things in mind: 

• Design an open layout for cooking and entertaining so family and friends can easily gather. 

• Don’t forget the “work triangle” when spacing your alliances.

• Opt for chef-grade appliances and smart-home features.

• Choose flooring that will withstand wear and tear, but also flow nicely with the rest of your home.

• Add some personality in the kitchen: splash in a pop of color with painted cabinetry, go big with impressive countertops, or choose a fun tile pattern for the backsplash or flooring. 

• Hide the trash, recycling and refrigerator behind cabinet doors for a high-end custom look. 

• Install larger pantries and hidden storage spaces to maximize functionality. 

Kitchen designed by Viève Interiors

Photo credit: @studiomcgee

Photo credit: @studiomcgee

Photo credit: @intimatelivinginteriors

Photo credit: @harveyjoneskitchens

Photo credit: @soldbuytrae

Photo credit: @the_stables_

The Home Office

More than a third of U.S. households reported working from home more frequently than before the pandemic, so home offices are in higher demand than ever before. A home office remodel can also be a tax write-off (don’t forget to consult your tax accountant first ;). But keep in mind that designing an efficient and aesthetically pleasing home office requires careful planning and a greater investment than just adding a desk and computer to an empty bedroom. There are a number of design elements to consider when putting together a home office: 

• Lighting—what will function best for your work? Is it a task light for detailed work, bright all over light to energize you, or lighting that illuminates your face for your frequent Zoom meetings? If you work best in day light, consider installing large windows or doors to the outside to help let in more natural light. 

• Noise—are you hosting meetings regularly while next to a room of noisy kids? Explore all your noise-canceling options like strategically placed paneling or thicker drywall. 

• Technology—aside from the usual office must-haves (computer, printer/scanner, extra monitors, etc.), ask yourself if you need a specific sound system or speakers, video equipment, special charging docs, etc. to get your job done efficiently. 

• Use of space—to avoid a cluttered look, make good use of your space with built-in bookshelves, hidden storage, and functional furniture. 

• Comfort—choose high-end furniture that’s comfortable and promotes healthy ergonomics. 

• Add plants—I’m a huge fan of adding a little life and color to your home office with house plants. Plus, plants can help relieve stress and improve your mood! 

Photo credit: @akbdesign

Photo credit: @nancywalshrealtor

Photo credit: @lindseygilleyinteriors

Photo credit: @decormattersapp

Photo credit: @houseliftdesign

Photo credit: @greenwichhomesct

Photo credit: @setup.blaze

The Outdoor Space

Curb appeal will always be one of the top factors in providing significant value to your home. Before we discuss major exterior renovations consider this: homes with well-kept lawns and professional landscaping sell for 7% more than similar homes with exterior blemishes or unattractive front yards. That’s a huge percentage just for maintaining a mowed lawn. Imagine how much your home value would increase if you invested in the following: 

• Lush, beautiful flowers and trees

• An inviting pathway and pavers

• A stunning new garage door

• New larger windows

• A new and improved deck or fence

• New siding, brick or stone veneers, or smooth stucco

• Intentional lighting to add a decorative touch or highlight architectural features

Or take it up a notch with a new…

• Pool/jacuzzi

• Firepit

• Entertainments areas with comfortable furniture

• Outdoor kitchen and bar

• Solar panels

• Patio doors

• Outdoor shower

• Accessible dwelling units (AUD’s or granny flats)

Photo credit: @erdmannexteriordesignsltd

Photo credit: @outdoorlivingdirect

Photo credit: @modern_nest

Photo credit: @haydesigns.co.uk

Photo credit: @modern_nest

Photo credit: @modern_nest

Photo credit: @luxclusivehouse

Even though remodeling these areas of your home will give you the greatest ROI, that return will vary greatly based on the materials used, how good the design is and how much you invest. Make sure you hire an interior designer who knows the market, and who will not only listen to what you are looking for but can help you make the best decisions for your remodel. And most importantly, remember that the greatest return from investing in your home is the happiness you get from loving where you live every day. Why wait to create the home that you love when you could start living in your dream home now? 

Save this blog post for later! Save to your Pinterest Remodel Ideas Board.

We can help with full-service interior design as well as more limited design only or E-design services. To learn more, schedule your complimentary discovery call today!