High-ROI Interiors: 5 Strategic Upgrades That Boost Property Value

By Louise Wynne, Founder of WildKind Interiors

I've spent enough time with SME property developers to know one thing for sure: if the numbers don't work, the design doesn't matter. But the right interior design upgrades can directly increase a property's value and reduce time on the market.

In 2025, savvy developers are prioritising design-led decisions that drive ROI, improve buyer perception and help their developments stand out. This isn't about pretty scatter cushions or interior styling for its own sake. It's about strategic upgrades that move homes faster, command stronger offers, and protect your margin.

Here are five high-impact interior design upgrades I recommend to developers looking to maximise returns without blowing the budget. These are the areas I consistently see delivering measurable, commercial results.

1. Kitchens That Add Real Value

Kitchens sell homes. Full stop.

A great-looking kitchen doesn't need to be expensive, but it must feel considered. This is where commercial strategy meets genuine buyer psychology. Cabinetry that suits your target buyer, whether sleek and handleless or more classic with subtle detailing, sets the tone from the moment someone steps into the space. Integrated appliances create a seamless, premium look, and durable stone effect worktops signal quality without the premium price tag of the real thing.

Lighting matters too: under-cabinet LEDs or a feature pendant add perceived value for very little cost. This is design efficiency at its best.

I always advise allocating the biggest chunk of the interiors budget here because kitchens deliver a measurable return. And don't forget: kitchens are where buyers picture themselves living. It's where they start to justify the asking price. For buyers, the kitchen carries psychological weight. More than any other room, it signals quality, lifestyle and liveability. It's one of the first spaces they assess and one of the last they remember.

The commercial case is clear. According to Rightmove, kitchen upgrades remain one of the highest value-added features in UK properties. When you combine this with smart lighting design and considered material choices, you're looking at a space that photographs beautifully for your marketing and feels like a proper investment to your buyer.

2. Bathrooms That Feel Boutique

Much like kitchens, bathrooms influence perception of quality, and you can absolutely achieve a high end look without overspending.

We use a hotel-inspired approach to help developments stand out: walk-in showers, wall-hung vanities, brushed brass or black fixtures. Add large format tiles (pairing them with a smaller feature tile works beautifully), good lighting and simple styling, and you've got a bathroom that elevates the entire development. This approach works whether you're selling a £250k apartment or a £2m townhouse.

The psychology here is straightforward. A beautifully styled bathroom communicates care, which buyers translate into value. Perceived value is everything.

The evidence backs this. Staged homes with upgraded kitchens and bathrooms sell up to three times faster and typically for a higher price, according to the Home Staging Association UK. And yes, this applies even in modestly priced homes. An investment in bathroom design is an investment in faster sales and stronger offers.

3. Lighting That Adds Layers (and Luxury)

Lighting is the most underrated design tool I see developers miss. Done well, it completely changes how a space feels and how it photographs.

Are you a fan of the "big light"? A single central ceiling light that attempts to do everything? I'm not. And I'm not the only one. For a high spec feel, use a three point lighting strategy: ambient (dimmable wall lights, pendants or table lamps), task (under cabinet lighting or a desk lamp) and accent (picture lights over artwork or feature pendants). The goal is to create a space that feels layered and warm, not flat or cold.

This isn't complicated, but it is considered. And that's what buyers are looking for.

Lighting also plays beautifully with CGIs and marketing photos. A softly lit room instantly feels more premium, and you get to create that effect without stretching your budget out of control. This is practical design strategy that works for your CGI renders, your property photography, and your actual buyer's experience when they walk through the door.

4. Smart Joinery Solutions

Built in storage solves problems before buyers even realise they exist. Where do the coats go? Is there anywhere to stash the hoover? How do I keep everyday clutter out of sight? These questions matter more than you might think.

Done well, joinery is a double win: it makes a space work harder and look better. Think window seats with discreet storage, full height wardrobes that visually disappear, or alcove shelving that turns "dead space" into added value. In one recent project, we took two awkward alcoves and created compact desk space for occasional working from home. The buyer noticed. The developer's offer reflected that.

And the ROI? It's universal. Buyers always say the same thing: "You can never have enough storage." They're right, and developers who design it in from the start instantly elevate buyer perception. Storage is often the difference between a space that feels liveable and one that feels cramped. For developers, that can be the difference between a sale and a renegotiation.

5. Layouts That Make Sense

Never underestimate the power of a well planned layout. We always start with a GA (General Arrangement) drawing to ensure the space functions in the best possible way.

We've prevented countless costly mistakes at this stage: awkward door swings, wasted corners, kitchens that cramp dining zones. Fixing these early can save thousands and dramatically improve liveability. This is where design thinking meets commercial protection.

For developers, this translates into homes that feel bigger, function better and photograph beautifully. All of which contribute to faster sales and stronger offers. A well planned layout is invisible when it works, but painfully obvious when it doesn't. Your buyer will feel the difference, and so will your bottom line.

The ROI of Great Design

In my experience, design led developments sell faster, command stronger offers and build brand reputation for future projects. So the question becomes: can you afford not to optimise your interiors?

According to the RICS Residential Market Survey, buyer expectations around quality, usability and presentation continue to rise. Well designed interiors aren't a nice to have, they're a commercial advantage. They're the difference between a development that moves and one that stalls. They're the difference between hitting your numbers and missing them.

Design is never fluffy. Not when it's done right. It's strategy. It's psychology. It's ROI.

If you're planning a new development and you want to build value from the inside out, get in touch. Let's talk about how to make your numbers work harder.

About the author: Louise Wynne lives in Yorkshire and has been working with house builders and property developers nationally since 2006. She specialises in helping SME developers understand how strategic interior design drives return on investment, faster sales and stronger buyer perception. Combining interior design and styling with colour psychology expertise, Louise gets to the heart of what buyers actually want and what moves a development commercially.