Design Tips for Flipping a House
Flipping a house is a thrilling venture that combines real estate savvy with an eye for design. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a first-time flipper, making the right design choices can significantly boost your property's appeal and market value. Here are some essential design tips to consider when flipping a house, incorporating some of the latest trends that can make your project stand out.
1. Embrace Trending Design Elements
When flipping a house, integrating current design trends can make your property more attractive to potential buyers. Though design trends can be exciting to explore, make sure you are keeping your buyer pool in mind. Designs that are too trendy may appeal to a small base of buyers, so neutral, but trending is best. Among the hottest trends are minimalist aesthetics, sustainable materials, and a seamless blend of modern and vintage elements. By carefully selecting features that resonate with today’s market, you can create a space that feels fresh, stylish, and highly desirable.
2. Neutral Colors
Neutral colors are a cornerstone of modern interior design, especially in rehabbing a house so that you appeal to a broader base of buyers on a sale. Neutral colors can create a backbone for any design because color can be incorporated through fabrics in each room (e.g., sofa, pillows, curtains and rugs). Neutral shades like soft whites, grays, and beige on the walls, floors and countertops provide a versatile backdrop that allows potential buyers to envision their own furnishings and decor. These colors create a clean, uncluttered look that enhances the space's natural light and makes rooms appear larger and more inviting. For an added touch of warmth, consider incorporating textures like a molding wall panel or neutral wallpaper in a small bathroom and subtle undertones like a darker neutral accent color that can all add depth and character to your rehab house without overwhelming the senses.
3. Interesting Pattern for Tile, but Not Statement-Making
While neutral tiles are always a safe choice, adding a touch of personality through interesting patterns can elevate your design without overwhelming the space. Think geometric shapes, subtle mosaics, or herringbone layouts in bathrooms and kitchens. These patterns can serve as a visual focal point without dominating the room, striking a perfect balance between trendy and timeless. Remember, the goal is to enhance the space, not to distract from its overall appeal.
4. LED Light-Up Mirrors
Incorporating LED light-up mirrors into your design can offer a blend of modern elegance and practicality. These mirrors provide excellent lighting for daily tasks like makeup application or shaving, enhancing both functionality and style. Some are fashioned as medicine cabinets and can contain plugs and USB ports, both helpful for small bathroom spaces. LED mirrors are available in various shapes and sizes and the mirrors can be mounted in bathrooms, bedrooms, or hallways, adding a sleek, contemporary touch that appeals to tech-savvy buyers.
5. Fixture Colors
Gone are the days of matching cabinet and bathroom fixtures throughout the house. Today’s design trend leans towards mixing metals and finishes to create a unique and dynamic look. Consider combining brushed nickel with matte black, gold with chrome, or even copper with bronze. You should consider maintaining one color for each room of the house and consider using black for all of your hinges and doorknobs throughout the house. Using different fixtures in different rooms of the house can add visual interest and sophistication, making the space feel more curated and thoughtfully designed. Just ensure there’s a cohesive theme or color palette that ties the different finishes together seamlessly.
6. Light Fixture Colors
Mixing cabinet, faucet and bathroom fixtures throughout your rehab house can be exciting because you are giving each room its own character and mood. When you are picking out fixtures for each room, consider the color of the light fixture you are incorporating into the room. For example, if your cabinet fixtures are gold and you are going to incorporate a light fixture into the room (rather than can lighting), consider using gold or black as the base for the light fixture. Similarly, if you are incorporating two different light fixtures into the same room, consider using the same color light fixtures for both spaces and likely black or the same color as the cabinets, bath or faucet fixture in the room.
7. Accent Wall Molding
An accent wall with detailed molding can transform a room from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether it’s subtle wainscoting in the dining room, intricate crown molding in the living area, or geometric paneling in the bedroom, these elements add depth, texture, and a sense of craftsmanship. Opt for a color that contrasts with the room’s neutral palette to make the molding stand out in a darker shade of the same neutral palette you’ve created in the rest of the home. While it can be tempting to go for black or a dark blue or green color on an accent wall, you’ll want to consider the theme for the remainder of your home and your buyer pool for a bold color wall. Overall, a molding accent wall can create a focal point that draws the eye and adds a touch of elegance to the space.
Flipping a house successfully requires a keen eye for design trends, ability to create a cohesive look throughout the house and an ability to focus on creating spaces that resonate with buyers. By incorporating these elements, you can elevate your property’s appeal and enhance its marketability. Remember, the key is to balance trendiness with timelessness, ensuring that your flipped house stands out in the competitive real estate market while still feeling like a home. Happy flipping!