Design on a Dime. Sell This House. While You Were Out. We’ve seen the shows and yearn for the professional designers to make over our homes. But is affordable design attainable if HGTV isn’t knocking? The good news is yes, it can be.
How do those who don’t have the budget or the eye get started? The trick lies in due diligence and knowing what to do, who to hire and where to shop.
Eight years ago, I took on my first major renovation project. I had developed a strong passion for design, real estate, and architecture and wanted to do something different from the run-of-the- mill row house rehab. I wanted to leave my modern mark in the city and was determined to figure out how I could create a dream space worthy of my favorite magazines, while working within my budget. It was a challenging, often grueling experience, but nonetheless, I was hooked.
Since then taken on other full-scale renovations, including my biggest accomplishment, turning an old bakery into a modern loft-style home that has received both local and national awards and recognition. The amazing architects I hired for the project even received the prestigious American Institute of Architecture award. What makes this so incredible is that of the some 36 entries between the Washington DC and Baltimore markets, only 5 residential winners were selected. Our winning entry had under half the budget of some of our competitors.
I’ve learned some very valuable lessons that can be applied by those trying to renovate an entire space, or just trying to update a single room.
What to do. Decide what you like. Most people aren’t schooled in the concepts of mid-century modern or traditional Victorian, so figure out what style you like by doing some research. Look through magazines, books, and online to find images that convey your personal style, and then create a binder categorized by room. Whether you renovate yourself or hire a designer, this can ultimately save you time and money.
Who to hire. Hiring the right designers, architects, and contractors is crucial for a quality job and for maximizing your budget. If your project involves structural changes, consider working with an architect. Many people view the residential architect as an unnecessary expense and take the DIY approach. The end result is often wasted space, awkward layouts, and a lack of drama. A skilled architect can make up for their cost by creating a one-of-a-kind space designed for you that will ultimately help your resell value.
Many people consider professional interior designers a luxury service only attainable by the rich and famous. Many established design firms do cater to clients with extraordinary budgets, but you can find affordable design firms and skilled freelance designers. If you are overwhelmed by the scope of your project or simply want someone to help develop your ideas, hire a designer. Many designers will agree to bill in smaller increments so you see how far your money is going. By using the right firm, your savings on products and man power alone can pay for design consultant fees a few times over.
Construction is one of the most frustrating parts of home improvement. If you’re working with a designer or architect, make sure they are aligned with reliable contractors. This makes your job easy and your designer essentially becomes a one stop shop. If you use your own contractors, remember the lowest priced may not always be reliable, honest, or experienced. You can actually spend much more over the course of time for corrections, repairs, and lack of warranty.
Where to shop. Experts are accustomed to working with clients with a variety of budgets and are able to guide them where to shop. Designers are a great resource to help you determine where to spend and where to save, to achieve your goals within your budget. A designer often has access to builder warehouses and other discount outlets to purchase your basic elements, so you can afford to splurge on that artisan tile or Italian sofa.
There are two main trends motivating today’s homeowners to “step it up a notch.” 1) Sellers are having a harder time selling their homes than in the past, and 2) Homeowners are realizing they may be staying in their current home longer than originally intended.
The savvy seller uses design to sell their homes faster, while maximizing profits. I’ve seen cases where sellers hire design firms to get their homes ready for the ultra competitive market by staging, improving unfinished spaces with beautiful custom finishes, revamping an outdated space, and switching out inexpensive basics in the home that may prevent the home from showing its best. If a home is showing like a model and priced well, it will sell.
Homeowners are coming to terms with the fact they will be staying in their homes much longer than planned, and as a result are opting to make changes both small and large to improve their space. Many people could benefit from using a design consultant to provide an initial materials selection and purchasing guidance and then use the consultant’s referred contractors to complete the project. This can streamline the overall process and turn what may have felt like an unwanted situation into an exciting opportunity.
In today’s softer real estate market, competition is abundant. Investing in the design of a home can not only be gratifying while you reside there, but can be a key factor in getting the most out of your investment.
Photo: Metropolitan Home, ‘Home of the Year, Innovative Bath Award’
Jill Bloodsworth is the principal of loft (DESIGN STUDIO) in Canton. 410.218.8187. www.loftbaltimore.com.
Resources: Construction, Charleene Doverspike - echomes@gmail.com; Interior Design, Jill Bloodsworth - www.loftbaltimore.com; Architecture, Chris Harvey - www.hcm2.com.
