It's often said that the goal of good interior design is to make the best possible use of an available space. Due to the pandemic, most homeowners became familiar with this concept as they were confined to their homes, forced to make use of every inch of available space, creating home offices, Zoom rooms, and much more.
As East Bay homeowners collectively converted closets into offices, basements and attics into family rooms and/or classrooms, and backyards into "outdoor living" spaces, they got creative. Local designers and renovation experts believe this trend is not changing anytime soon.
While open concept kitchens and family rooms remain in demand in the East Bay, homeowners are also looking to create some separation of space. For example, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are no longer just popular for their income potential, they provide a highly desirable separate workspace with added privacy. Jen Montague Clark, founder and President of locally-based design firm The Home Co., has helped clients get creative by establishing "multifunctional spaces" in order to create that desired separation. She and her team have recently created a number of beautiful yet functional workspaces from underutilized closets, unfinished basements and nooks, to name a few.
New finishes are also lending themselves to this concept of flexible and usable space. For example, luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP) is a great option for high trafficked areas and basements, installed in the update of 3224 Madeline Street in Oakland, listed by Dana Brook and Simon Black. "The quality of vinyl flooring has greatly improved. Not only can you easily place LVP over concrete, but it looks great and gives the space a homey feel."
COVID continues to influence renovation design. There is a high demand for more calming and organic livable areas. Homeowners are choosing warmer, more neutral colors and greens, and organic design materials like rattan and brass to promote a softer, more soothing environment.
Jen also sees a lot of demand in "leveling up" existing outdoor living spaces by creating "outdoor rooms" using pergolas to hang curtains and lights, adding seating areas and rugs. Many are also exploring outdoor kitchens, but they can be expensive, particularly due to the cost of running both gas and electric lines.
Clark, whose firm oversees home improvement and staging for Red Oak's Enhance program, stresses the importance of listening to her clients and holding the projects to the highest level of quality. "We live in a very design-driven area. Buyers expect to see beautiful and unique finishes that make the property feel special."
Enhance allows homeowners to sell at a higher price with less work. That's because Home Co. handles design, project management, general contracting and staging for the client. Qualified sellers are provided with up to $60,000 in funds and given discounts on finishes. Homeowners pay nothing until the close of escrow, interest-free.
Recent sales of homes using the Enhance program are selling an average of 12% higher, twice as fast, 30 percentage points higher, and receive 50% more offers than the market average. Buyers want move-in-ready properties and Enhance is a great way to meet that demand. If you think your home may be a candidate for the program, contact us or one of our knowledgeable agents.
