Why ditching grey can earn you £32K more: The real cost of the 'Developer Special'
We’ve all seen it — the 'developer special' where the design sticks to a strict monochrome palette: white walls, grey carpets, black accents, and little else.
Case in point: all the images on the left hand side of this page come from a recent listing I found in Glasgow.
On the right, you’ll see how you could approach the same space — adding warmth, texture, and a sense of personality.
In Glasgow, monochrome cookie-cutter flips are becoming a bit of a scourge – especially in our beautiful old tenement flats. They strip out all the character and leave behind a blank, soulless shell.
And while it might seem like an easy way to get a property "market-ready", there’s one big problem: buyers don’t fall in love with soulless.
Here’s the truth: adding a bit of character can massively pay off.
I recently renovated a flat in Shawlands, opting for a colourful, earthy palette over the typical grey-on-grey. The kitchen and bathroom were designed with warmth and functionality in mind, and the entire space was styled to feel genuinely inviting.
That flat sold for £282,000.
Just a few months before, a flat in the same building and same square footage – but fully “developer special-ed” – went for £250,000. That’s a £32,000 difference, just by designing with heart instead of defaulting to grey.
So what did I do differently?
Preserved and elevated original features like the stained glass, cornicing and woodwork — adding value rather than stripping it away
Chose a warm, layered colour palette that made the space feel calm, modern and lived-in
Transformed the kitchen and bathroom into focal points — balancing functionality with aesthetic styling
Curated furniture and styling to help buyers feel how the space could work for them
Injected personality, subtle colour, and soul — instead of relying on flat grey finishes
It’s not about throwing money at high-end fixtures or over-designing every room — it’s about creating a space that people can feel themselves living in.
If you're developing property to sell; here’s my advice:
Think beyond grey paint and black fixtures. Buyers notice when something’s had a bit more thought.
And as my recent Shawlands renovation shows — they’ll pay more for it, too.
🛠️ Want to add value and personality to your next project?
Let’s chat about how to renovate with character – and get a better return when it hits the market.