What Today’s Buyers Look For

As a design professional, we know that buying a home is much more than a transaction. I’m Jamie Banfield, Owner and Principal Designer at Jamie Banfield Design, and proud design advisor to INITIA. For nearly two decades, my studio has delivered award-winning residential projects, been featured in national media, and transformed hundreds of kitchens, baths, and homes. Our tagline says it all: “Thoughtful Design for Real Life.”

At JBD, we’ve seen firsthand how design can make homes sell faster, photograph better, and live more comfortably. Whether it’s a full renovation, a smart refresh, or subtle styling that helps buyers imagine themselves in a space, design choices shape how listings perform.

Here are 6 buyer-driven design priorities with my design tips and tricks to help you elevate your listings:

1. Value That Shows Up in Photos and in Person

Today’s buyers are cost-conscious, but they still expect spaces to feel elevated.

AGENT MOVE: Focus on high-impact, low-chaos upgrades:

• Swap in layered lighting (pendants + task + ambient)
• Refresh walls with a cohesive paint palette.

JAMIE’S TIP:  Don’t be afraid to paint the walls, ceiling, interior doors, trim and moulding all the same colour. This will make the space feel cleaner and much larger.

• Change cabinet hardware for a modern and heavier feel.
• Have a handyperson walk through the space. Take care of those squeaky doors, adjust those cabinet doors that need just a little adjustment, and change those cartridges in any leaky faucets.
• Always walk a listing through your camera lens. If it looks good in a phone photo, it will shine in the real estate listing galleries.
  
  

2. Flexible Space Planning

Hybrid work is here to stay, and families want spaces that adapt and make the space feel lived-in. Add some personal touches such as crayons or lego in a kids play area.

AGENT MOVE: Stage a “convertible zone.” Ideas include:

• An office nook in a spare bedroom,
• A dining bench with hidden storage
• A den styled as a guest room + office
  
  

3. Durable, Low-Maintenance Finishes

Buyers want surfaces that look beautiful without babying.

AGENT MOVE: Spotlight quartz countertops, porcelain tile that mimics stone, LVP in basement suites, and washable matte paints. Understand the warranty but most importantly, what’s going to ensure the family’s home is safe, durable, clean, and easy to maintain.

JAMIE’S TIP: Call out the brand or performance feature in your listing copy and use brand names future purchasers can Google (ex: “low-maintenance quartz with a lifetime warranty”). It builds confidence and helps justify the price.

4. Light, Air, and Calm

Buyers gravitate toward bright, quiet, and edited spaces.

AGENT MOVE:

• Keep window treatments minimal and sheers or none at all
• Stick to one dominant wood tone across main living areas
• Use warm lightbulbs and ensure every bulb matches

JAMIE’S TIP: Apply a three-point lighting plan (overhead, task, ambient). It makes rooms feel better in person and photograph beautifully. Make sure all light sources have the same colour of light as this will create a cohesive and sophisticated space.

5. Sustainable Choices That Feel Smart

Even if buyers aren’t “shopping green,” efficiency is top-of-mind.

AGENT MOVE: Highlight energy-efficient appliances, induction readiness, low-flow fixtures, and smart thermostats.

JAMIE’S TIP: Add a one-page “operating costs and upgrades” handout for open houses. It turns sustainability into a tangible selling feature.

6. Kitchens That Work Hard

The kitchen still sells the home, but now function is the new luxury.

AGENT MOVE: Stage smart “zones” like a coffee bar, compost pull-out, or pantry organization. Keep counters 70% clear and style with three groupings (coffee setup, fruit bowl, fresh flowers).

JAMIE’S TIP: If a reno isn’t realistic, refresh with:

• New hardware, something cleaner and sometimes unique, but make sure that it is heavy in weight. This will give the feel of quality.
• Invest in a quality kitchen faucet, everyone plays with the faucet.
• Under-cabinet lighting, if you can add this additional layer of light
• Styled open shelves as if a family lived in the space. Don’t be afraid to add personal items that reflect emotions and draw that family into a specific moment in time. Set the kitchen up for a Sunday morning pancake feast with the family.

These small upgrades can completely reset how buyers perceive an older kitchen.