10 Qualities to Look for in a Fixer Upper
What makes a house flip-worthy?
Curb Appeal
BEFORE
AFTER
Up-To-Date Look
The combination of a striking color scheme and improved landscaping give this Craftsman home an up-to-date look that still respects the architecture and history of the house.
Photo By: Robert Peterson; Rustic White Photography
Let this once-dusty and deserted Craftsman be your inspiration to look past any lackluster, curbside first impressions. Instead of dialing in on the crusty-coated details, focus on the design and shape of the structure itself. You’d be surprised what some modern-day fine tuning, a little imagination and a lot of elbow grease can accomplish.
Can It Be Fixed With Paint?
BEFORE
AFTER
Before: Living Room
The living room is dark and cramped. It needs a complete makeover for this modern family of five.
Photo By: Ashley Ausland
Welcoming Family Room is Comfortable and Stylish
Designed to be a family room area where all the neighborhood kids will gather on movie night, this space needed to be durable and beautiful. The window seat with its easy-to-clean laminated fabric creates a cozy and sunny reading area and allows for additional movie viewing. The custom-made media cabinet hides all the kids toys, board games and AV equipment.
Photo By: Marisa Vitale
Dark and dreary… and that’s putting it lightly. Not exactly ideal for your family movie night. Still, this isn't a lost cause. The large windows offer up loads of natural light and what better way to play that up than with some bright-white paint? A coat here, a coat there, a little rearranging and a built-in window bench turns this sad space into something spectacular.
Outdoor Space Galore
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AFTER
Before: Patio
This outdated patio needs a complete makeover to make it family-friendly space.
Photo By: Lexi Grace Design
Chic, Welcoming Patio
Gray pavers ground this outdoor living space, while exposed beams bring in architectural charm. A comfortable sofa pairs with a sleek coffee table to create a cozy seating area.
Photo By: Rennai Hoefer
For those of you who consider hosting an art form, this tip is for you. Set your sights on properties with large outdoor spaces — yes, even ones that are a little (a lot) rough around the edges. Look at it this way, the more square-footage, the more you can play to create a space you’ll be proud of. Case and point? This prettified porch that went from scary to sophisticated, leaving the resident social butterfly itching to host an event.
A Solid Build
BEFORE
AFTER
Cliché though it may be, there’s some truth in saying “they just don’t build ‘em like they used to.” We think that the Magnolia House, flipped by Chip and Jo, is the perfect example of a timeless-meets-unique exterior to aim for when searching for the perfect flip.
A Lovely Layout
BEFORE
AFTER
Neutral Traditional Kitchen With Blinds
This big kitchen features lots of cabinets, a central island, double ovens and plenty of space to move around easily.
Photo By: Marie Flanigan Interiors
Blue and White Transitional Kitchen With Shades
This formerly dark and uninteresting kitchen gets a whole new life with beautiful blue cabinetry, delicate pendants and roman shades with a subtle graphic print. The backsplash is the star of the room: gray tiles in a herringbone pattern.
Photo By: Julie Soefer Photography
This kitchen project proves that flip properties do not have to be haunting and horrific to qualify for dramatic before-and-afters. Love the layout of a space? Keep it. Then, coat it with paint to fit your style. This traditional, wood-clad kitchen got a major wow-worthy update with a cool blue hue and brass finishes.
Loads of Character
BEFORE
AFTER
Even in the bleak before photo, it’s easy to be charmed by the oversized arches connecting this living and dining room. Work with the darling quirks and charming features of a home that led you to fall head-over-heels with it in the first place. The arches shine just as brightly in the after shot, don’t you think?
Good Bones
Search for stylish bones. The trio of tall, handsome windows at the end of this living room fill an otherwise drab space with loads of natural sunlight. Bonus: the windows are gorgeous even before the first coat of paint. Find a flip that offers a beautiful, albeit grimy, blank canvas and use them to inspire the design of the space. What do you think inspired the ultra-charming coffered ceilings seen in the after shot?
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AFTER
Potential Statement Pieces
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AFTER
If you’re totally creeped out by the before photo of these stairs, that’s okay. You’re in good company. But, friends, the after shot of this swoon-worthy staircase? If this doesn’t prove that even the scariest of scary stairways a second glance, I don’t know what will. If you come face to face with a similar space, rub your eyes a couple of times and take a step back. Maybe take two. Then, envision the statement-making potential just waiting to be brought to life.
Extra Square Footage
BEFORE
AFTER
Older homes often treat homebuyers with loads of little, unused spaces to play with. And play, you should. View every little nook and cranny as an opportunity to make your home more livable, more stylish and ultimately more "you." This flip by Chip and Jo transformed a quirky, unused attic space into a double home office complete with a bench for the occasional afternoon siesta. Transforming every square inch into usable space also increases the value later on.
Vertical Possibility
BEFORE
AFTER
Tackling 'The Beast' Bight Spacious Kitchen
As seen on HGTV's Fixer Upper, Chip and Jo turned the old space into a bright, clean kitchen with new cabinets, wood floors, Carrera marble countertops and light gray paint with white trim. The old drop ceiling was removed, adding height to the room, and a wooden support beam was added. A subway tile backsplash, floating wood shelves, and stainless steel appliances were also installed.
Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images
Believe me when I say that I understand the initial reaction of wanting to run far, far away from this chaotic kitchen and never look back. But when shopping for a flip, search for the positives, then capitalize, capitalize, capitalize. The pros here? Sky-high ceilings serve as the perfect excuse to create a floor-to-ceiling wall of cabinetry. If you're finding it hard to see the possibilities in a place, simply look up for inspiration.
