There is that oft repeated saying “a place for everything and everything in its place.” And while there have been many interpretations to this saying (and several people attributed to its origin), for Lita Dirks & Co., this saying has a special meaning. To them, it means each detail and design decision in a home can be a “reason to smile” for any potential buyer and client.
Putting a Smile in Every Model
Regardless of the buyer profile, every model home should help excite, embrace and relax the potential buyer. The design should help the sales agent by inviting the potential buyer to come in, enjoy and find comfort in visiting and staying in the model. The more comfortable they feel, the longer they stay, the more likely they are to make a purchase. So it follows then that designing a smile in every model helps the buyers feel comfortable and instills a desire to purchase.
Entry Designs
Entries to the model homes should welcome the buyer and make it feel like, once they step over the threshold, they are a part of the community. The design should be relevant to the neighborhood. An immediate engagement (aka smile) encourages the buyer to move on to discover beyond the entry. Some design tactics Lita Dirks & Co. suggest using within the entry to elicit a smile include a whimsical light fixture, a colorful accent rug or a playful mirror.
Great Room and Kitchen Designs
When moving past the entry, it is important to capture a focal point as quickly as possible. What will a potential buyer see when they pass the entry? Make that next step into the home memorable, be it a window to a view beyond, a fireplace or an inviting kitchen. It is important to build on that image to engage the buyer with ideas of how happy they’d feel living in your home. Some ways to create a smile in the great room and kitchen include: putting a tray on an island to demonstrate the party in their future, a small pillow with a fun color or a mug on a tray that might make them smile.
Additionally, including a special homework nook or cozy arts and crafts area is sure to elicit a smile from any parent or grandparent walking through your model.
Buyers will want to gather around this island and create memories in this Parkwood Homes, Colo. model. Photo courtesy of Lita Dirks & Co. 
A special place where kids will actually want to do their homework or play games in this Regal Homes, Utah model. Photo courtesy of Lita Dirks & Co.
Stairwells and Long Hallway Designs
Stairwells and long hallways are the ideal spot to highlight memories not yet experienced. This is a blank palette for designers to inspire dreams and invoke smiles. Including pictures of group family shots, pets and travel are always appreciated. Additionally, highlighting children or grandchildren’s masterpieces is sure to inspire many a smile.
Designing a Place for Fun
Creating a place within the model home that promotes fun and relaxation can put the finishing touch on helping a potential buyer fall in love. This may manifest in designing a seamless indoor/outdoor living space or creating an outdoor oasis. Or, perhaps it is creating a game room.
A fun spot for the kids (of all ages) to play in this Regal Homes, Utah model. Photo courtesy of Lita Dirks & Co. 
Seamless indoor/outdoor space in the Taylor Morrison NEXTadventure Home. Photo courtesy of Lita Dirks & Co.
Creating places that inspire dreams of a certain lifestyle is the expertise of interior designers and merchandisers. To that end, designing a “reason to smile” in every model home creates an environment of joy and instills a desire to live there.
Post courtesy of Sue Ridgeway, Director of Marketing at Lita Dirks & Co., an interior design and merchandising firm based in Greenwood Village, Colo.
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