Home Design Trends That Will Skyrocket Your Property Value

In the complex and fast-moving world of real estate, one thing remains constant: potential buyers will favor a property with an updated home design more than one that isn't as visually appealing. Understanding and implementing current home design trends can significantly enhance the marketability and appeal of your property. In fact, a simple interior decorating facelift can add 5% to 10% to your property's value according to The Advisory. 

We spoke with Diane Morales, an agent of Home Smart Connect in St. Charles, Illinois, about home design trends that leave a lasting impression. With 20-plus years of real estate experience, Morales knows attracting potential homebuyers isn't just about the physical structure; the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a house also play a pivotal role in a successful sale.

Whether you're looking to sell now or in the future, ensuring your home stands out by incorporating the latest design preferences can make all the difference. Here are the upgrades Morales recommends to satisfy what current homebuyers are craving:

Dedicated Spaces for Working from Home

The past few years have seen an unprecedented rise in remote work — 35% of workers today have the option to work from home according to Pew Research Center. This has created a need for spaces within homes to accommodate this shift. The home office has transformed from a “nice-to-have” to a necessity, and homes that offer well-designed, dedicated and flexible workspaces are in high demand.

With hybrid working models expected to prevail across most industries, homeowners are smart to invest in creating a space that's conducive to productivity. Converting a spare room or even a well-lit corner into a functional home office can significantly bolster your home's appeal. Think ergonomic furniture, ample storage and strategically placed, energy-efficient LED lighting. 

When buyers can envision a productive and organized space for their work or studies, it makes your home more attractive.

A composite deck offers long-lasting beauty and low-maintenance benefits that appeal to today’s time-stretched consumers. Unlike wood, high-performance composite decking, such as Trex, requires very little upkeep as it is engineered to resist fading, scratching and mold, and won’t rot, warp, crack, or splinter. With no sanding, staining or painting required, composite decks attract homeowners looking to spend more time enjoying their outdoor spaces rather than maintaining them. Trex decking is also sustainably made from 95% recycled and reclaimed materials and is warrantied to last a minimum of 25 years, making it an eco-friendly and smart long-term investment.

If your home already has a wood deck, consider upgrading to composite decking. As long as the existing framework is intact and in good condition, resurfacing a wood deck is a doable DIY project that can be completed over a weekend or two with just a little know-how and the help of a few friends. Step-by-step instructions are available on Trex.com.

Don't Forget the Ceiling

Home buyers are no longer looking for the plain white ceilings of the past. With the recent rise of maximalist home design, buyers are increasingly interested in unique overhead details. Whether it be textures and moldings or even bold wallpaper and one-of-a-kind colors, your ceilings may play a larger role in your home's value than expected.

Consider simply adding a new coat of paint. Or, if you're ambitious, you could install barn wood beams to lean into cottage-core interior design trends or decorative plaster finishes to create a prim Victorian aesthetic.

Home Wellness Space

According to a recent study by McKinsey & Company, 79% of people believe wellness is important, and 42% consider it a top priority. That's why many homebuyers are looking for property that has dedicated space for self-care. Whether it be an in-home spa or a fitness center, investing in a home wellness space may be the way to a buyer's heart — and checkbook.

You can even make small adjustments to existing spaces to accommodate these home design trends. For example, you can update your bathroom with a soaking tub for a spa-like experience or change the colors in a room to a lighter, more calming shade. Adding more greenery throughout the house can improve your space's perceived relaxation factor.

Open-Concept Floorplans

Open-concept living has been a dominant trend in home design for the last decade and continues to drive buyer preferences. This is because floor plans in which rooms flow seamlessly from one to the next:

• Encourage family interaction and offer the flexibility to personalize how you want to use your space
• Make spaces feel larger and allow for the optimal use of natural light 
• Add perceived value, as they are often associated with modern, upscale homes

Especially coveted are designs that eliminate barriers between the kitchen, dining area and living room, fostering an airy and communal atmosphere. This can be achieved by widening the width of entryways, installing the same flooring throughout the entire area, using neutral paint colors on the walls (think muted blues, greens and off-whites), and — for the truly adventurous — knocking down a wall or two.

Impressive Exteriors Add to Curb Appeal

Curb appeal, used to describe the attractiveness of your home from the street, has been and continues to be an essential part of selling your home. Consider curb appeal as your property's first impression — a make-or-break moment for many homebuyers.

“Curb appeal is a huge homebuyer magnet,” Morales says. “Consider enhancing the front of your home with fresh landscaping, updated siding, or a bold and bright front door color that makes your property pop. Similarly, around back, you can add decking in a variety of on-trend colors, railing that frames your view and lighting for ambiance. It becomes about an experience, not just a space.”

In fact, with the popularity of living al fresco, outdoor spaces have transformed into complete outdoor living rooms. No longer just a boring “square” for a barbeque and a few chairs, the most coveted outdoor spaces now mirror their indoor counterparts, complete with cozy seating, fire pits and fully equipped kitchens.

“My most successful clients are those that are willing to do the work to make their backyards impressive,” Morales says. “A modern and elegant outdoor living area helps sell your home, especially in the warmer months. Homebuyers can envision themselves entertaining, hosting a family wedding, or just enjoying a peaceful evening under the stars.”

Today’s homebuyers want a combination of superior aesthetics, low-maintenance features and eco-friendly materials. Having earned a reputation for superior durability and lasting beauty, Trex® offers everything needed to create an outdoor oasis that makes your home stand out, as well as all the inspiration and innovative ideas to take your backyard to the next level.

Implement these realtor-approved strategies, and you won't just renovate — you'll elevate your home design in its entirety. Whether your plan is to sell in the near future or enjoy your upgrades for years to come, the added value and aesthetic appeal of these improvements are undeniable. 

Ready to turn your home into the enviable asset it can be? Explore more top design trends, ideas, and expert advice that will help you increase your property value and elevate your home's curb appeal and interiors.