With more than 150+ homes flipped it would be easy for me to put some design choices on automatic. While I may be a fan of a few paint colors and subway tile, I also have some specific details that I incorporate with each home to add something extra.
It is my goal with each and every house to have buyers and agents comment on it even if the house is not the one that they decide to purchase. If the layout and design are enough to cause people to provide feedback then I know I accomplished one of my primary goals with that home.
A New Front Door
Choosing a door style over the year was pretty difficult. Long order times and a small selection had me sticking with one door style for a few years. Until everyone found out my source…then I had to make changes again. Using a unique style or color of front door shows buyers right away that you want your renovation to make a good impression. This is a small and simple task but I see many house flips priced at top dollar with an old front door looking tired and dinged greeting buyers.
Add Open Shelving
Kitchen design is an area where people automatically assume “too expensive” for a flip or renovation budget. With open shelving, that is no longer the case. When you make changes to an upper cabinet (or two) with open shelving, your cabinet budget will likely decrease by a few hundred dollars when you take out those traditional cabinets. On top of creating a more open and spacious look, the open shelving can either be purchased and installed or custom built by a carpenter. It can be stained to match other elements in the kitchen and offers display space for prized cookbooks or dishes as well as easy access to frequently used items.
Kitchen Island End Panels
Any price point house can benefit from an end panel on a peninsula or island. Finishing touches are an item that I firmly believe sets the quality of a project apart from another. End panels are another opportunity to create a unique and custom element in a home. It can complement the style of the home or introduce a new element to add character. Think of a home that lacks original details, like a 50’s rambler. No hardwood, no trim detail no arched doorways. Installing an island in the kitchen and adding some trim to the end panel all of the sudden creates a home with some swagger.
Trending Tile
Scoping out the trends in tile is free. Finding similar looks for less requires a little bit of research but is where your flip will stand out. My tile selections are consistent when it comes to the tub and shower surrounds. I am a fan of subway tile in a variety of sizes and will mix it up from house to house. Using various colors of grout is another way to change the look from house to house. When it comes to floor tile selections, I love a good pattern on the main floor or lower level. For master baths I consider the overall area of the space to balance the expenses for the space. With more floor area, I often choose a 12 x 24 Carrara look product. For smaller areas there is a bit more room in the budget so marble mosaic is a classic choice with a touch of luxe.
With each and every house there are are few winning details that are proven. By incorporating these changes into your projects, you are sure to create homes that feel custom and standout among other renovations that buyers may be considering.
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Amber
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I always look forward to your emails and blog articles, so I figured it was time to leave a comment! We just bought a house, and while it isn’t a flip, it does need a head-to-toe makeover … which is exactly why we wanted it! We were already planning to replace some upper cabinets with open shelving, give our island a little swagger, put in some fun tile, and get a new front door as well as a fancy garage door! You are not kidding about front doors being difficult to find!! Of course the ones I love are $4,000 and up before installation with a 6 to 8 week lead time :-/ I had no idea exterior doors were so expensive! Do you feel like there’s a percentage relative to selling price that the door should be? A $4,000 door is 1% of our homes after-repair value and that seems … nuts.
Hi Amy-Since I am working within a budget most of my door selections are $1000.00 or less. There are a few options I have found that I really like that fit that criteria from the large home improvement stores and still improve the curb appeal. When its your own home its a more personal choice. Especially if you are doing other improvements that may have a more direct return (like kitchens or baths) a cost effective option for doors may be best. Good luck with your makeover!
Oh geez, I meant to say that your article really provides supporting evidence for us that the changes we want to make are worthwhile 😀 We’re also going to put leather handles on our kitchen cabinets … not very cost-effective, but we gotta be fancy. LOL