Before jumping on board with the latest interior design trends, analyze whether the trend is a fad that will fade before you finish your home flip. Also, decide whether the way you stage and decorate a fix-and-flip property will work for your particular part of the country or neighborhood. For example, the modern farmhouse home decor trend works well for homes in the country but might not appeal to buyers in a tropical climate. Color trends are also tricky because they have a dramatic impact on how much money a buyer is willing to pay. Hold off on buying interior paint colors and making a final color selection until the last-minute since the hot colors quickly turn from gray and beige to red or gold.
Avoiding superstitious design trends
While feng shui often offers logical and smart ideas related to home layout and features, it’s a mistake to paint or stage a home with colors and shapes based on feng shui superstitions. For example, some home flippers think they need to paint the South section of a home the color red simply because red is the ruling color on the “bagua” map. When looking at interior design trends, it’s better to pick colors related to the room’s function. For example, blue colors help people sleep longer. Blues are great colors for bedrooms. According to an article by thespruce.com, its best to apply feng shui principles when selecting a particular home. Avoid negative features such as bathrooms facing the front door or direct front and back door alignment. Some good ideas to employ include making the front entryway stand out with a welcoming front door, plants and lighting.
Putting aside your own style
Another mistake new home flippers make is using their favorite interior design style as if they will live in the home. Longtime flippers often fall into the trap of finding one particular style that works for them and never deviating from the modern, contemporary, Mediterranean or Farmhouse look. Instead, check out the homes for sale and model homes in a particular community. Also, consider the home’s specific architectural style. Crown molding gives traditional homes a beautiful custom feel, yet rarely work in a contemporary home with high ceilings and unusual ceilings. In a contemporary home, designers often choose geometric shapes and less ornate finishes.
Adding color through the staging
Instead of painting a lot of wild colors through a home you want to sell for a profit after fixing up, design a space with more neutral colors. Use art work, furniture and rugs as well as accessories to bring in color. Colors also play a part in the floor selection because flooring comes in many different colors, textures and materials. New flooring is almost always a given, but avoid lavish flooring such as marble unless it’s a luxury home. Using the same flooring gives a home a seamlessness not often achieved by 10 different flooring choices. According to a release by prwire.com, the Shaw Floors “color of the year” for 2018 is “Gold Rush.” The warm neutral color is always inviting. Touches of brass and gold works especially well for interiors in the colder weather states, but using too much warmth in tropical areas often makes potential owners feel overheated. If possible, select colors based on the time of the year when you will list your fix-and-flip investment.
At Center Street Lending, we understand the feeling of accomplishment that comes with successfully flipping a home. We provide financing for aspiring and longtime home flippers. For more information, please contact us.