3 MORE Design Decisions That Could Make Your Flip Harder to Clean for Buyers

When it comes to design decisions inside of your flip you aim for selections that have mass appeal and staying power, while staying within your budget. It’s important too, though, to consider the maintenance and upkeep that may be required of potential homebuyers. Certain choices, although they may be of high quality, could make your flip more difficult to maintain and keep clean. Below are some of those selections.

An Oversized Island

Kitchen islands are places to perform lots of tasks and activities, like food prep, dish washing, and dining, so you may opt to install an island that’s extra-wide to accommodate those functions. But be aware that an extra-wide island could make cleaning its surface a challenge, since it may be difficult to reach the center. So when planning your kitchen, make sure you’re able to comfortably reach the island’s center from each side to get an idea as to whether or not a buyer will be able to do the same.

As we wrote in a previous post, you might consider installing double kitchen islands to separate functions. This may eliminate the need for an extra-wide island.

Marble Counters, Especially Carrara 

Marble countertops make for a classy kitchen, and Carrara marble—which has been en vogue since the days of ancient Rome—can give the kitchen in your flip a clean and upscale appearance with its classic white coloring and blue-grey veins. It’s important to know, however, that marble is a soft, porous stone that can stain easily—especially Carrara. This can make cleaning and upkeep for your potential buyer more challenging.

Depending on your kitchen design, and the target market for your flip, you might consider installing a more hard-wearing stone, like granite or quartz. Those surfaces also tend to be less expensive than Carrara.

Intricate Baseboards and Trim

Elaborate baseboards and trim may jive with the interior design scheme of your flip, but be aware that the many curves and crevices created by a complex design also make for more places for dust to settle and collect. This can mean more maintenance for potential buyers. So, think about installing simple profiles that are appropriate for your flip.