5 Tips to Transform Your Property to Make Buyers Fall in Love
Flipping a house in Los Angeles’ competitive real estate market requires more than just a fresh coat of paint. Strategic interior design upgrades can add thousands of dollars to your home's value, making it stand out to potential buyers and ensuring a faster sale.
At Bonne Designs, we specialize in helping homeowners, investors, and flippers create high-end, market-ready designs that maximize a property's value. Here’s how you can use interior design to boost your home’s selling price before listing it on the market.
1. First Impressions Sell Homes: Start with the Entryway
Your entryway is the first impression buyers get of your home. It sets the tone, dictates expectations, and subconsciously influences whether they see your home as stylish, welcoming, and worth the price.
Forget boring beige!
The key to an unforgettable entryway is bold design choices that feel intentional yet universally appealing. Here’s how to elevate your entryway to make a lasting impression:
Solid Wood with Carved Details: If you want your home to feel warm and elegant, opt for a dark walnut or deep espresso wood door with intricate carvings or paneling. These details add timeless charm.
Steel & Glass Combo: For a modern, high-end aesthetic, choose a black steel frame with frosted or clear glass panels. This look works beautifully in contemporary and industrial-style homes.
Vibrant Painted Doors: A deep navy, forest green, or bold burnt orange door makes your home stand out from the crowd. Skip the safe colors—buyers love personality!
2. Kitchens Sell Homes: Make Yours Stand Out
The kitchen is the heart of the home—and in real estate, it’s the #1 selling feature. Buyers aren’t just looking for a functional space; they want a well-designed, stylish kitchen that feels move-in ready.
A home with an upgraded kitchen commands a higher asking price and sells faster.
The good news? You don’t need a full remodel to make your kitchen stand out. Strategic updates can create a high-end look that attracts buyers and increases your home’s value.
Key kitchen updates that increase home value:
Update cabinets with rich, modern colors (navy, black, forest green) instead of boring neutrals.
Pro Tip: Pair light countertops with dark cabinets for contrast.
Upgrade countertops to quartz or marble-look surfaces for a luxury feel.
Add a full-height backsplash in textured subway tile or marble slab.
Upgrade hardware and add under-cabinet lighting for a polished, elegant finish.
3. Add Statement Lighting – A Chandelier or Sleek Pendant Instantly Elevates the Space
Most homeowners and builders underestimate the power of good lighting, but real estate agents know—homes with bright, well-designed lighting sell faster and at higher prices. Lighting isn't just about visibility; it sets the mood, enhances architectural details, and makes spaces feel bigger and more luxurious.
Lighting Ideas That Make an Impact:
Oversized Chandeliers for Drama: In high-ceiling entryways, install a grand chandelier with sculptural arms or cascading glass to make a jaw-dropping statement.
Geometric or Industrial Pendants: If you prefer a clean, modern look, choose bold geometric metal pendants in black, brass, or mixed metals.
Sconces for Depth: Install symmetrical wall sconces to highlight architectural details and create a gallery-like feel.
Dimmable LED Fixtures: Lighting that adjusts in warmth allows you to set the right mood—warm and inviting in the evening, crisp and bright during the day.
Pro Tip: Always install dimmable lighting to adjust the mood for different times of the day. Soft, ambient lighting makes a space feel warm and inviting in the evening.
4. The “Quiet Luxury” Bathroom
In Los Angeles' competitive real estate market, bathrooms are no longer just functional spaces—they’re private retreats that add serious value to a home. A high-end, spa-like bathroom can be the selling point that makes your property stand out. The best part? You don’t need a full remodel to create an ultra-luxurious feel. Small, intentional upgrades can transform an ordinary bathroom into a space that buyers will fall in love with.
One small change that makes any bathroom feel like a five-star hotel? A double vanity.
✔ Upgrade fixtures to sculptural, luxury finishes (brushed gold, matte black, or mixed metals).
✔ Install a frameless glass shower for an open, high-end feel.
✔ Choose a floating or fluted vanity with natural stone countertops.
✔ Use large-format tiles or slab walls for a seamless, spa-like effect.
Pro Tip: If you have space, double vanities with oversized backlit mirrors create the ultimate luxury primary bathroom buyers crave.
5. Large-Scale Artwork: The Ultimate Design Trick for a High-End Look
One of the easiest ways to make a home feel curated, luxurious, and expensive is through large-scale artwork. In high-end Los Angeles real estate, homes that feature bold, oversized art instantly command attention and leave a lasting impression.
Forget gallery walls with tiny, mismatched frames—today’s buyers are drawn to big, statement pieces that feel intentional, modern, and high-design. Incorporating large-scale artwork can transform any space, creating a sense of grandeur and sophistication that buyers associate with luxury living. Best part? It does not actually have to be an expensive art piece.
Buyers aren’t just looking at square footage—they’re looking for a lifestyle. Oversized artwork adds a sense of scale, drama, and personality, making a home feel like it belongs in a high-end design magazine.
Here’s how strategic artwork placement can elevate your space:
Makes a Room Feel Grand & Expansive → A well-placed large painting or photograph can create the illusion of taller ceilings and wider walls.
Adds a Designer, High-End Feel → A single, oversized piece looks more curated and intentional than a collection of small prints.
Creates Emotional Impact → Buyers connect with homes on an emotional level, and bold artwork evokes personality, mood, and sophistication.
Fills Empty Walls Without Clutter → Instead of adding unnecessary furniture or décor, a single large-scale artwork keeps the space clean and refined.
Pro Tip: A diptych (two-panel artwork) or triptych (three panels) works beautifully for extra-wide walls and adds a high-design effect.
A memorable property isn’t just about functionality—it’s about creating an instant emotional connection for buyers. By making bold but sophisticated choices, you can dramatically elevate your home’s perceived value and make it stand out in a crowded market.
💬 Want expert advice on prepping your home for sale? Let’s create a customized design plan that gets your home sold faster and for more.
