Add or remove value?

[HowFastIsTooFast]

This might be a stupid question but bear with me; I own my flat but was a FTB so have no experience of selling.

Would something like the below add or remove value?? My lounge is small and currently the TV stands on a solid wood sideboard that sticks out almost 2 feet from the wall. I'm considering having something like the below built in, with the cupboards at the bottom being maybe a foot or 15 inches deep and the shelves a little shallower. It would offer a bit more storage than I currently have, save a few inches of floor space and look neater.

I think it would add value but DP disagrees on the basis that if a buyer didn't like it they'd have to rip it out. We plan to sell in the next couple of years, and hopefully will have a DC first so space/storage will be important in a 1 bed flat.

Thanks in advance for replies!

Anything that makes a space looks bigger, and adds storage is a winner IMO. You are going to get the benefit of it for a couple of years, and it will make it more attractive to buyers at least. Might not actually add 'value' as such, but certainly adds desirability.

Agree with above : it would make the room look nicer so give it an edge in others

It doesn’t add value in same way eg double glazing does though

Thank you both, something to think about and I'll see about getting a quote from my usual carpenter.

I see what you mean about value v desirability. In my area 1 beds with allocated parking plus visitor parking are like chickens teeth so I don't think I've have an issue selling in any condition.

I'll make sure to consider the quote purely for us in the now rather than for buyers in the future.

I don’t think a valuer would value it higher. However, if it’s nicely done and overall presentation is great, another ftb would prefer it and possibly pay a little extra.

As a side note, if you’re about to try for a baby, it might be easier to move now. Babies add a lot of clutter + your affordability will go down.

I’m not sure why it would add value, but it’s not going to lower the valuation. People will buy or not, depending on whether they like the flat. They might be put off by many things, you can’t possibly predict what. If you want shelving built, have it built.
In my opinion, that looks lovely.

That will cost a fair bit, if you are planning on moving in a couple of years, get it done soon so you get the full benefit !

@JoJoSM2 Yep ideally we would move before hand, but since March I've been on a vastly reduced salary; I did the sums and our potential borrowing would be reduced by 80k if we applied for a mortgage now, compared to the full salary I will hopefully return to after Covid/Maternity.

If things went perfectly to plan I'd be back on full salary and have 3 months of wage slips before maternity but I don't know if that will happen so we're planning for 'worst' case scenario of staying here a year or so post-baby.

I don't think it will increase or decrease value of your property but will make it more desirable to some and off putting to others. It put me off properties having any intergrated storage/furniture attached to the walls. One property had floor to ceiling storage against 2 out of 4 of the master bedroom walls, They stated they were leaving them and I was secretly thinking I wouldn't want your old furniture taking up half the room. It was one of the reasons we didn't put a bid on a house. I would suggest something similar but easy to remove 😁

Thanks @Chew2. I had built in wardrobes put in when I bought the place but there was literally only one place in the (equally bijou!) bedroom that wardrobes could go and having them built in maximises that space.

Appreciate that the lounge addition is less of a necessary addition (everyone needs wardrobes, not everyone needs a TV unit thingy!).

Also, you could do paintable Mdf not wood to save cost... once you paint what does it matter?

Ikea do something very similar but freestanding? Then you could take it with you or sell it on.

These...

it wouldnt change the value, its too minor an item. saleability wise it might make an impact if someone likes or is put off by it. personally I would like it I think.

I'd love it.

Excuse the dogs and my pile of bedsheets to be ironed but I had this built last year and I love it. Not sure if it'd increase value or not. I hadn't really thought of that aspect. Mine cost £3800 to be designed built and installed

I really like it.
I agree with pp that it won't add value though.
I would say buy it as you want it and it will help you out right now and in future with baby storage space.
You are living there now and with the way things are it's uncertain how long so go for it!

Oh Mustard, your dog!! Presumably it's unwell?

It won't add or remove value. If you need it, do it. If you don't, don't.

It’s not going to add or reduce home value for resale purposes. But it is a big custom made job that will cost you quite a bit and you can’t really tear it out and take it with you when you move. I personally would not do it if you’re planning to move soon.

Cupboards only a foot deep and shelves even narrower won’t add that much usable storage space. And if your lounge is small as you say, covering an entire wall may result in it looming over the room. Too, where will wiring go? What about any game consoles? Do you want to dust that many shelves that go up to the ceiling?

It’s pretty to look at in design catalogs, but think through whether it would work for your lounge and lifestyle and whether it’s worth spending that much money on something that you’ll essentially abandon when you move and have to replace in new home.

Thanks all for your sensible views! 🙂

@tattychicken he's ok, he's 15, his back legs dont work very well and his appetite is gone. But he's happy and loved. It wont be long though 😥😥

I'm sorry, it's so tough when you know their time is limited.