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Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up to better digs or downsizing as an empty nester, you’ll be faced with a delightful array of interior design choices at Brandywine Homes. You should certainly pick the options you find most appealing.

But if you intend on selling your home down the line, you may want to stick with upgrades that pay off at resale. To help you out, real estate authority Zillow analyzed the effect of certain design choices on housing values. Here are their top home upgrades and what percentage increases they add to resale values.

Landscaping (3.7%)
Though Zillow points out an outdoor kitchen adds 3.7 percent, in general, landscaping appeals because our mild weather encourages outdoor activity. A beautiful exterior improves curb appeal, which is what brings buyers inside the home in the first place.

Backsplash (4.1%)
Backsplashes protect kitchen walls from food stains and cooking splashes that land from countertop prep or frying. But they also provide a decorative accent for a relatively low cost. Continuing the countertop up the wall is a typical choice but you can also choose contrasting materials for backsplash bling.

Stainless Steel (4.2%)
This material still continues its reign as a desirable appliance material because it reflects light and is easy to wipe clean.

Frameless Shower (4.6%)
Enhancements to the bathroom are a plus because homeowners spend at least part of every day in this room. A frameless shower visually expands the space by allowing the eye a clear line of sight to the shower wall. In addition, the shower interior itself seems brighter because light from surrounding fixtures shines into it unimpeded.

Pendant Lights (4.6%)
Pendant lights hang like gems on top of islands, inside bathrooms with high ceilings and, occasionally, on top of dining tables. If you want this type of illumination to accent its area, consider relying on shades made of bright shiny material using colors that contrast with their neutral surroundings.

Quartz (6.0%)
Suitable for countertops in both the kitchen and bath, quartz is non-porous, so it resists stains better and is easier to clean. It doesn’t chip or crack as easily as natural stone. It’s also available in a variety of patterns and colors to match any type of modern or traditional decor.

Subway Tile (6.9%)
Although seemingly a trendy material, subway tiles first appeared in 1904 to decorate a New York underground station. So they’re actually a timeless choice when laid in the typical horizontal brick pattern in kitchens and bath. Placement variations include a horizontal cross-hatch or vertical brick.

Shaker Cabinets (9.6%)
Whether you like modern or country kitchens, shaker cabinets fit in nicely. Their straight lines are visually pleasing and are easy to clean. You can also add all kinds of hardware to complement their look.

Note how most of these choices involve the kitchen. In general, focusing upgrades on this most popular room of the home generally pays off. If you want to see what other options our Design Center offers or if you want to tour our decked-out model homes, please contact us.

Are you looking for a new home in Orange County, Long Beach or the Los Angeles metro area? Brandywine Homes is opening six new communities this year offering a combined 265 single-family homes and town homes. If you would like more information, sign up for our interest list here.