What are the top things relating to design that I should keep in mind for real estate going into spring?

Is renovating to have an open concept kitchen still a thing?

A renovated kitchen is still considered a high-reward investment. However, there is a shift to creating zones to separate areas somewhat. It seems we are growing uncomfortable with visible mess and it’s nice to reduce noise with partial walls and strategic furniture placement. Perhaps based on this nuance, a complete renovation for open concept could lean more towards creating areas that don’t fully enclose your home or cottage space. 

This kitchen in our Sturgeon Lake project makes for a cozy separate zone off to the side.

Open concept in our South Bay Balsam Lake project helps create a wide open great room as a shared space for three families.

This butler pantry remains behind the main kitchen and provides an area so a multi-generational family can share more than one kitchen space.

Are there certain paint colours that resonate better with buyers?

Warm neutrals are trending with buyers. The idea is to create a blank canvas for potential buyers to see themselves in the space with their own unique style. Taupe vs beige is popular and nature inspired greens. The goal is to create a calming and modern atmosphere for the purchaser. Warm whites still do well to attract views and the sophistication of a black front door can actually increase your home value! Avoid polarizing colours that are bright and intense.

These colours are highly personalized and can make a home feel fragmented. In some cases, dark, moody colours can make a room feel small and uninviting. It’s a good idea to keep things as neutral as possible so buyers feel like a home or cottage is move-in ready.

Soft neutral colours create a calm feel in this home and let the architecture take centre stage instead.

A light airy colour palette for this Sturgeon Point cottage creates a timeless and classic look that will appeal to the current cottage owner for years to come.

The paint colour in this project is anything but neutral, however the way it warms the space makes it an ideal approach to appeal to a wide range of personal preferences. 

Is a fireplace an added value?

A fireplace is a highly sought after feature. It would be a good idea if you are considering a renovation to add a fireplace to create a significant price increase for a home or cottage investment. Fireplaces have an aesthetic appeal as they act as a focal point. This creates interest and a luxurious feel to a room. It also adds an additional role to the room, creating functionality for the space as an area to gather.

Is it better to include your furniture in the sale? And if so, is there a certain style that buyers prefer?

Buyers prefer to style their new home the way they see fit. It’s common practice to hire a stager and work with your agent to create a neutral, move-in ready environment. There isn’t a financial upside to including your furniture so it’s best to remove what you can and keep the rooms minimal. Giving buyers an idea of what a room can look like with one or two key pieces is a good way to also demonstrate space and scale. However, if it’s your cottage, it can be common practice to sell vacation type properties with furniture. In this setting it can be a bonus that a buyer doesn’t need to furnish a second property.

Cottage owners in this project helped us keep things traditional yet personal. In the case that these owners ever wanted to sell, the sectional and dining set are going to appeal to a wide range of viewers in context of the setting.

What things should I keep in mind when it comes to lighting?

You will want to maximize layers of lighting for your home or cottage. Adding recessed lighting, additional lamps and optimizing the mood of your rooms is going to boost your real estate investment if and when you decide to sell.

Layers of lighting in our Clear Lake project add value by creating different zones within the same overall space.

Should I keep my bathtub?

As designers, when clients ask us “to tub or not to tub,” we often follow with “how long will this be your home?” If the answer is more than five years then settle in, and do what works for you. A long-term stay means build or design for you, not for the next person.

Having the dual use of a shower and tub combination can be useful for many aspects of daily life when it comes to children and pets. Even if you can find a workaround, having a tub for bathing and pet maintenance is going to be a more convenient and practical asset. Considering your lifestyle, daily personal habits and life stages are important variables in deciding if a bathtub can deliver on the functionality you need.  Of course, space allowing, having at least one bathroom with a tub is ideal. Accessibility may be another factor, which means a walk-in shower for easy access would be the route to take.  Either way, understanding what stage you are in for how your home needs to function is important.

How important is landscaping?

Landscaping frames the entire first impression of a home. However, when it’s allowed to grow without attention to detail, it sends buyers a different message. Landscaping should be focused on how it accents the property rather than the actual plants. The home should be the focus. Keeping it simple and trimmed in a manner that merchandises the home or cottage is best. Landscaping is also a way to create outdoor zones. This gives the impression of a wider more open outdoor space and can give the illusion of increased usable space. It is a good idea to put as much effort into the exterior design as you would the interior as this will be your overall curb appeal.

This example shows different outdoor zones for family use. The fireplace area and off to the side the dining area.

Landscaping helps frame the entire patio area, adding a lush feeling and hit of colour.

Having an overall exterior design plan, helps ensure your home or cottage is wrapped in the right look for your overall structural design.

If you have a design question you would like to submit for the next Town Crier issue, you can send it to the Home by Tim + Chris design team at: info@homebytc.ca

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Tim + Chris