Call me paranoid, but I sometimes wonder if my articles are the least-read pieces in the whole of Blue Bricks magazine.
Why? Because I talk about interior design. Not how to make money from property.
And on the surface, those two things look miles apart.
But are they really?
Interior Design isn’t a Fluffy Afterthought
If my conversations with developers on the circuit are anything to go by, lots of you are yet to be enlightened. Interior design affects how people see the value of a property, if you only engage with interiors at the end, you’re missing the chance to use design where it makes the biggest impact.
Here’s what gets picked up when design is involved at planning stage:
• The kitchen that looks great but there’s nowhere to store an unsightly bin (ruining the high end feel) • A bathroom that won’t fit a standard sized shower tray (ouch bespoke prices) • Finishes based on what everyone else is doing, and look like what everyone else is doing (this isn’t a good thing) • Open plan living that doesn’t allow for a dining table and a sofa (doesn’t function right) • Bedrooms that won’t fit a standard sized double bed (see above) These are all genuine examples I’ve encountered had I not been involved from the get go.
And these things matter. They influence how well a space functions, which directly affects how people live in your property - and whether we like it or not, translates straight into how they value it.
We all know property can be painfully slow, and time is money. What many developers underestimate is how much early design work helps prevent delays and weak market response later.
When design is considered during the development stage, not tacked on at the end in a panic, you create a home that:
• photographs better • connects emotionally faster • gets more clicks on OTA (Online Travel Agent) / selling sites • generates more viewings / bookings • encourages stronger, quicker offers / decisions
And this isn’t guesswork. It’s behavioural science. Neuroscience research from Princeton University found that people form impressions in as little as 100 milliseconds. Once that snap judgement is made, the brain keeps looking for information that confirms it. And the same applies to spaces. Our brains decide instantly whether something feels right, comfortable, spacious or “not for me”. People respond faster and more positively to spaces that feel clear, coherent and easy to understand - which is exactly what thoughtful design achieves.
If you’re new to property, it might be something you’ve not considered before. If you’re experienced, you’ll know it’s gold.
When you’re trying to raise private finance, your product is your pitch. The numbers matter but the visuals matter, too. A portfolio that is considered and intentional reassures investors that you know what you’re doing and you understand the end user. In their eyes, you’re low-risk and their money is safe with you.
A portfolio with average interiors loses impact. Interior design can and should become part of your brand (if you don’t believe me, think Tom Sumner). And your brand is directly tied to your ability to attract capital. Developers with strong, design-led portfolios find it easier to raise finance simply because their product already looks investable.
Scroll LinkedIn for five minutes and try not to scream. Someone’s proudly sharing their latest flip or HMO. Grey carpets. White walls. Navy kitchens. Rinse and repeat.
Is it safe? Yes.Is it forgettable? Also yes.And forgettable homes don’t sell or rent quickly, or for the maximum amount.
Harsh? I don’t think so. It’s tough love. If you’ve run the numbers and you genuinely can’t afford the time to consider your interiors properly (or hire someone who can), then I’d question whether that deal really stacks. Because if your development blends into a sea of sameness, you’re at a disadvantage. The properties stuck in the middle are the ones that struggle, I’m sure you’ve heard this advice before.
A design-first approach does the opposite. It takes your actual end user into account and creates something purposeful, not generic. Something unique. When you design with your real buyer in mind, the place just works. They don’t have to think about it.
And if something feels easy, people book a viewing. If it doesn’t, they scroll on.
When Vicky (our lovely Editor) said, “Talk about how getting you involved early saves so many mistakes and headaches,” …she wasn’t wrong.
The start of this article gave real life examples of where design suffers when it isn’t properly considered at the right stage. By the time you’re on site, most of those issues are either expensive or impossible to fix. Once the walls are up, you’re committed, even if the flow feels awkward, the lighting doesn’t work, or the kitchen isn’t designed for how an actual human would use it.
Early design involvement stops those headaches before they exist. You make smarter decisions at the right time, not rushed ones at the end.You create a better product, avoid costly rework and protect your profit.
Future you, and your investors, will be very grateful. Visuals are CGI visuals of my design for an apart hotel in the Lakes created for client, developer Cradel Haus. Visuals created by Simon, The UnBuilt Visualisation New photo of me for a change!
