How to make your interior investment-attractive: 5 expert opinions

When we think about buying or renovating real estate, we often think about beauty and comfort. But what if your interior could not only be pleasing to the eye, but also become a real financial investment? It turns out that competent design can significantly increase the value of your apartment or house.

We have collected five opinions from experts in this field for you. They will share simple and practical tips that work. We are not talking about faceless “renovations for sale,” but about creating a lively, stylish, and, importantly, financially profitable space.

You will learn what potential buyers pay attention to, which solutions have the longest service life, and how to avoid costly mistakes that can devalue your efforts. These principles will help you view your home not only as a place to live, but also as an asset that can be multiplied.

Contents

Evgeny Koblov: “The right choice of professionals for investment apartments means an immediate 50% return on investment. Even a bank won't give you that kind of percentage.”
Mila Uzikova: “The presence of natural finishing materials in the interior doubles its future investment position.”
Zlatan Brkic: “Emotions are important for a profitable sale—the so-called wow effect.”
Marina Kutuzova: “The classic style requires serious investment to achieve a high level of quality and beauty. Therefore, a modern interior is more justified from an economic point of view.”

Evgeny Koblov: “The right choice of professionals for investment apartments means an immediate 50% return on investment. Even a bank won't give you that kind of percentage.”

There are several categories of investment apartments that are attractive for future sale: premium and mid-range. The premium market is not as actively filled today, as high-end apartments start at $3 million and above, with square footage starting at 160 square meters.

Premium sector

The current style is modern, light classics, not pompous. Minor decor on the ceilings/walls using classic elements. Everything is stylish, tasteful, and made only from natural materials.
An important condition for such apartments is the ergonomics of the space in terms of layout. (Often there are many square meters, but it is impossible to use the usable area due to the illiterate initial layout).
All materials should be natural and authentic. Preference is given to the best manufacturers in their field. Furniture — Italy, plumbing — Germany.
Such an apartment should have everything, right down to a toothbrush holder. So that when a person arrives, they don't need anything else, just to bring their belongings.
As a rule, customers in the premium segment are people aged 45 and above. A smart home system is too complicated for them. Therefore, smart technologies are not a fundamental or very important criterion.

Interior designed by Daria Goryacheva and Alexei Vyazminov (A+A architectural studio, Moscow). Photo: Sergey Ananyev

Interior designed by Daria Goryacheva and Alexei Vyazminov (A+A architectural studio, Moscow). Photo: Sergei Ananyev

Mid-range segment

Potential buyers are usually top managers, young people who love quality, beauty, and affordability.
Smart home technologies are welcome, and it is reasonable to add them to the cost.
The advantage of this type of housing is its design. Here, it is not so much the Italian sofa that is important, but the atmosphere itself. You can save money on most things, such as parquet flooring or furniture. However, in the mid-range segment, it is very important to have the right kitchen (preferably German) with a good worktop and high-quality plumbing fixtures.
Lighting. It must be well thought out, with a uniform light temperature. The middle segment is very fond of these things, and owners focus their attention on them.

Interior designed by architects Alexei Vyazminov, Evgeny Koblov, Anna Goloukhov, and Yulia Borisenko (A+A architectural studio, Moscow). Photo: Ilya Ivanov

Mila Uzikova: “The presence of natural finishing materials in the interior doubles its future investment position.”

For an interior to be attractive for further sale, it must have a certain set of elements.

The presence of supply and exhaust ventilation, air conditioning, and humidification — it is difficult to imagine a house or apartment without it nowadays. It speaks to a certain quality of life.

Smart home control system. Even in its simplest configuration, it significantly simplifies life for future customers. And if you expand the options to include heating, ventilation, home theater, and audio control, the result is a product that is much more in line with the needs of modern investment. From my experience, I can say that everyone who refused even the most minimal automation system later regretted it.

Interior design by Mila Uzikova and Elena Peregudova. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk

Interior designed by Mila Uzikova and Elena Peregudova. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk

The area of the property must correspond to the minimum required set of rooms, and competent planning solution — a good indicator for any area.

The presence of natural finishing materials in the interior doubles its future investment position. Ceramics cannot replace natural stone, just as there is no substitute for natural wood. Often, when saving on certain decisions, we use less durable and lower quality materials, but there are times when this is relative. For example, as an option, you can use simpler technical lighting, more modestly priced tiles and paint in utility rooms. And there are legends about saving on textiles.

It is best to choose a universal interior style. It should not be cold or too fancy, but timeless and cozy, filled with high-quality materials and solutions that will not become outdated over the years.

Interior designed by Mila Uzikova and Elena Peregudova. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk

What you definitely shouldn't skimp on is plumbing, electrical work, and flooring made from high-quality, durable materials.

Zlatan Brkic: “Emotions are important for a profitable sale—the so-called wow effect.”

The most important thing, in our opinion, is layout and functionality. Design trends change rapidly. At the same time, well-thought-out planning and the balance between function and aesthetics are timeless. If you show the buyer that the apartment is well-designed and that everything has been chosen not just for beauty, but for living, including the technology (not just “smart” technology), you will have a winning option.

It all depends on the target customer for the interior. For the premium segment, the interior should be as complete as possible, right down to the decor and slippers. Wealthy people are attracted by luxury and completeness: when you don't have to do anything, spend time, when you have everything, here and now. For example, the super-luxury apartments in London, Four Seasons, were sold fully furnished. The apartments looked like showrooms with books and fresh flowers in vases. Such interiors inspire buyers.

Interior designed by AB Architects

There are also buyers who are willing to settle for the bare minimum: a kitchen, bathroom fixtures, closets, and perhaps some large items.

For a profitable sale, the following are important, first of all emotions — the so-called wow effect. It is wrong to assume that expensive is good and cheap is bad. What matters is the impression created by a skillful combination of materials. Next is functionality, which we illustrate with examples from real life. And thirdly, there are unique features and solutions that cost next to nothing but are very expensive as inventions and for which people are willing to pay above and beyond the price.

In our experience, the most sought-after interior is a modern design with classic elements.. A versatile interior has a better chance of selling. The style of the apartment is determined by the building itself. The interior should be a continuation of the home and match the overall mood.

Interior designed by AB Architects. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk

The choice of materials is huge, and there are now some very decent options that can save you money. When it comes to technology, we do not recommend skimping, as this will help you avoid breakdowns. You can save significantly on lighting. The most important thing is to know how to save! To do this, you need to have a good understanding of the market and materials, and experience plays an important role.

Smart home systems are currently in high demand, and more and more budget-friendly solutions are appearing on the market. It is also possible to pre-install a smart home system, allowing the buyer to customize it to their liking later on. So installing the basic functions of a smart home is a definite plus.

Our advice: create delicious interiors, save money in the process, and come up with interesting solutions and features — in short, surprise your customers!

Interior designed by Vedran Brkic, Lidia Brkic, Anna Garmash (AB Architects). Photo: Sergey Krasyuk

Interior designed by Vedran Brkic, Lidija Brkic, and Anna Garmash (AB Architects). Photo: Sergey Krasyuk

A good interior is not only beautiful, but also profitable. To increase the value of your property and sell or rent it faster, it is important to focus on versatility, quality, and comfort. Professionals advise not to chase fashion trends, but to choose neutral colors, high-quality materials, well-thought-out lighting, a convenient layout, and a few details that add character. The space should appeal to the majority — then it will become not only comfortable, but also a real asset.

Marina Kutuzova: “The classic style requires serious investment to achieve a high level of quality and beauty. Therefore, a modern interior is more justified from an economic point of view.”

A project carried out with a professional, competent, and individual approach is already an investment in your comfort and enjoyment of living in an apartment or house. But it is also an added bonus if your plans change and you need to sell. Such properties usually look more attractive to potential buyers, even if they do not initially meet their criteria in terms of location, size, or, for example, the presence of a concierge.

Interior designed by Marina Kutuzova. Photo: Sergey Ananyev

When it comes to style, the classic style requires serious investment to achieve a high level of quality and beauty. Therefore a modern style may be more justified from an economic point of view.. In addition, it is more versatile, as it has a much wider audience of admirers.

Interior designed by Marina Kutuzova. Photo: Sergey Ananyev

It's always better to save money on things that are easy to replace. The basic finish must be high-quality and well thought out.. Important is lighting, which significantly affects the perception of space. This does not necessarily mean using expensive decorative lamps; it is important to create competent scenarios with a comfortable light temperature.

Also very convenient zoning, a well-designed kitchen, and a comfortable sleeping and relaxation area are important. Despite some differences in how different people organize their lives, the general principles of a high-quality home remain the same.

Interior designed by Marina Kutuzova. Photo: Sergey Ananyev

As you can see, making an interior attractive to investors is not about soulless renovations for quick profit. It's about a smart strategy that takes into account both your budget and the future desires of buyers or tenants.

The main conclusion from the professionals is simple: create a neutral but high-quality base. Classics, natural materials, good lighting, and a well-thought-out layout are the foundation that will definitely not lose its value. Against this backdrop, you can add a little more individuality, but in a way that is easy to change.

Remember, you are investing not in a passing trend, but in the long-term value of your home. This approach will not only save you money, but also make your apartment or house a desirable property on the market, which will find a new owner much faster.

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