Interior Design Pays Off: Increase Home Resale Value
by Kate McIntyrekate.mcintyre@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
As an interior designer, you may run into ideal clients. "Spare no expense on the interior decorating," they say. "We want something truly fabulous." Others are less accommodating. They set stingy budgets and ask you uncomfortable questions about how an interior design makeover can affect their home's resale value. Imagine how impressed they might be when you have all the answers.
The Best Interior Design and Decorating Bang for the Buck
If your clients are looking for a big return on their interior design investment, it is hard to go wrong with a minor bathroom remodel. The average recoup rate on the initial investment is 102%, the highest for all remodeling projects. In a minor bathroom remodel, you change out the light fixtures, sinks, countertops, tile, and bathtub or shower area.Minor kitchen remodels are nearly as good of an investment, with a 98.5% investment return. For this type of an interior design and decorating project, you should plan on including a new stove, new facing for the cabinets, a new countertop, and possibly a new floor.
Small Interior Decorating Changes, Big Improvements
If your clients are on a very limited interior decorating budget, you can still give them some big changes to impress future homebuyers. Start by choosing new interior paint in universally pleasing neutral colors such as sage green and buff. You may also want to change out light fixtures. If they are dated, they can dim the look of an otherwise modern room.At an interior design school, part of the curriculum is devoted to dealing with clients. If you feel that you have great natural talent for design but lack the people skills to compete in the industry, enrolling in an interior design degree program could be a great choice.
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About the Author
Kate McIntyre is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.
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