How to Reinvent a Room to Attract Buyers

By Patti Stern, PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating
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Thinking about remodeling but not sure it will pay off when it comes time to sell? According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, most room remodels and additions may only recoup up to 80 percent of the cost. And since time and money is something prospective sellers are cautious about wasting, we put together the following list of practical ways to attract buyers and increase resale value without drastically changing your home’s footprint.

Transform The Kitchen With Simple Upgrades
The most economical way to breathe new life into the kitchen is by first repainting walls with a fresh coat of neutral paint. Next, consider refreshing outdated cabinet fronts (as shown in photo above) with bright white paint along with brushed nickel or chrome hardware in modern styling. Upgrading flooring and countertops is also worth considering since there are many options available with a range of price points that are both stylish and functional.

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​Give The Bathroom A Facelift
It still goes without saying that outdated bathrooms are simply a turn-off to millenials. Even the smallest bathrooms can look more attractive with the right finishing touches. The key features that will sell a bathroom are updated or refinished cabinets and countertops, wall color, tile, faucets, toilet, and lighting in modern styles. For the bathroom featured above, we covered the light wood vanities that were in decent condition with dark espresso paint to add instant elegant style when paired with updated faucets and lighting.

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​Convert the Extra Room Back To Bedroom
It’s common for many empty nesters to repurpose a spare bedroom into a more practical space such as an office, study or game room once the kids go off to college. But when it comes time to sell, showcase a room with its original purpose to appeal to young, prospective buyers since they are always on the look out for more bedrooms for the kids. In the room above, our team turned the hobby room back into an inviting bedroom setting by removing clutter and replacing with twin beds with colorful comforters and pillows, new fixtures, and simple wall art.

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Create Usable Space In The Basement
Convert an empty or junk-filled basement into a room with a purpose. A game room, family room, in-law suite, office nook, or exercise room are all great examples that will appeal to buyers looking for extra living space. Once clutter is removed, carpet cleaned and walls repainted, add simple furniture such as a desk, chair, sofas and accessories that create a lifestyle that buyers can envision for themselves. Consider adding extra closet space or using a hidden area under the stairs for more storage.

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​Add Style and Function To The Back Entry
Create a mudroom that will be useful for families with young kids and pets year round. In the photo above, we transformed our client’s back entry with built-in storage and seating surrounded by bead board for a stylish finishing touch

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​ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patti Stern, principal, interior decorator and professional stager of PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating, has been decorating and staging homes since 2005. She and her team provide turnkey, full service home staging and interior decorating to clients across Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. She also developed an award winning staging program for luxury homebuilder, Toll Brothers. Her company has received Houzz 2015 and 2016 Awards for Customer Service. Stern has been featured in Connecticut Magazine, the Hartford Courant, Danbury News-Times and on NBC Connecticut and FOX TV.  She is a regular contributor to REALTOR Magazine’s blog, “Style, Staged and Sold.”