We all know that good quality fixtures, a unique aesthetic and good property design will affect its value, and generally for the better. However, there can certainly be too much of a good thing, as we all know when it comes to property. For example, if the prior homeowner has made gauche decisions that caused the property to be known in the area, this could have increased its value as a unique novelty, or crashed its value thanks to losing out on a sense of place.
Of course, there may be certain factors working against you here, as well. A house that seems too noticeable can also attract the wrong sort of attention, or it may cause friction with the local neighbors. If you find the property to be a good investment but if you still wish to continue on, it’s worth knowing how to restore the space to its prior grandeur. Please consider:
Restoring Local Character
It’s a simple principle, but the best way to bring a property back to its natural state is to look at what made it special in the first place. Every street has its own story, and most houses along it share similar features that just make sense for the area. Look at the neighboring properties and notice their roof styles, their window shapes, even how their front gardens flow into one another. Sure, your property might have some unique charm worth keeping, but matching a few key features with the street helps it settle back into the neighborhood naturally, such as using Bristol Lime, a unique sandstone known in the area, or a wood type celebrated here. It can help provide the foundational structure during a renovation or a new trimming worth having.
Considering Sight Lines
Sometimes a property stands out simply because it breaks up how people normally look down the street. Take a walk around the neighborhood and notice how your eye moves from house to house. Perhaps that bright purple facade or those ornate window frames catch attention in the wrong way and are worth your attention first. Now, this isn’t about removing color or character to make your house boring, but rather to help it complement the wider view and to see what sight lines you could improve or are worth with. Small changes like tidying up an overgrown hedge or repainting in colors that match the local palette can work wonders here, if only to tidy the space up a little, and improve perceptual value.
Stripping Back To Function
Many unusual property features exist purely for show, and they often make daily life harder than it needs to be. That’s especially true if your prior owner added full length mirrors to walls and all kind of odd installations. For instance, elaborate water features might look expensive, but probably waste electricity and need constant maintenance for a fixture you’re not so fond of. Similarly, a covered pergola might be architectural, but does it actually provide useful outdoor space? Focus on what the house needs to do rather than how it needs to look as it helps. Good design naturally follows when you prioritize how people actually live in and use the space. The result tends to be a property that looks right because it works right.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily undo that gauche aesthetic and make your own mark on the space.
