Home Remodel – a real-estate investment in the Geneva mountains for cross-border commuters.
- estellebogros
- Feb 28
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 22
Space Optimization + Style & design • Organic • Modern • a full home remodel for a real-estate investor
Let me share with you the story and work I've done for one of my investment clients. It's a different way of looking at things since my client doesn't have himself or herself in mind, but his/her own potential buyers. And it's a different way for me to work as well in the end, I have 2 sets of people to satisfy: the investor and his, for now unknown, clients. Let's dive into the inner workings of this real-estate investment home remodel near Geneva.
Having bought an 1860’s two-storey home with his family as a real-estate investment, my client had decided to split the home into two 70m2 apartments and put me in charge of space optimization and the choice of design for one of the flats.
As a Geneva region property investor and broker, my client knew that he needed a WOW factor for his selling point. For me, that wow factor would be key in my space-planning decisions. I'll take you through the 2D layouts I’ve drawn for this project, explain my process along the way and show you the 3D perspective drawings we agreed on before my client took on his renovation work by himself.
1. The space and the potential buyers
First, we needed to define his potential buyer. Who was he renovating for, what would be their needs and their type of lifestyle. As a real-estate agent, he knew his market and targeted a couple buying their first home, or a couple with a very young child. At least one of the partners would be working in Geneva commuting most days and working from home the rest of the time. As the property is located fairly close to the mountains and in a pretty remote location, we could assume they would be the outdoorsy type and if they entertained, their friends and family needed to sleep over. The remote location was also a deciding factor in the kitchen-design for me, as my client said: “there’s no uber eats around here”, the kitchen needed its fair share of space for a lot of cooking.
These are only a couple of examples as to why I will ask you a ton of questions when we start working together, because, surprise, we don’t all live the same way and we do not all want the same things.
As I walked into the space, my client had already finished the demolition, built a deck overlooking the valley down below and planned for water, evacuation and heating. Although pretty void, the space had a wall splitting the apartment into 2 defined zones of roughly the same proportions. I would use this division to my advantage in my space-planning as you’ll see later on. One more thing: this space is on the ground floor, so it will be important to consider light, or lack-thereof, and enlighten the space as much as possible. Once I took all the measurements, it was time for me to start drawing.
2. Space Optimization & Planning
I divide my services into 3 categories for you to be able to pick up until which point you need my guidance. Space Optimization is the first block, it’s where I will draw three options of 2D plans to decide on the layout of your space, then comes Style & Design where I pick materials and furniture, and hand-draw perspective drawings, and the last one is the Total Renovation package where I also follow the whole construction until you, or your buyer, move in. This client was doing most of the building work on his own, so he chose the first 2 services (Space Optimization + Style & Design) and I will not be overseeing the renovation part.
For each of my 2D plans, I chose a wow factor that would impress the potential buyer. You’ll see that each of the following layout works around one big idea.
· Idea no1 – Space takes center stage
This first design focuses on having maximum space for togetherness.
As soon as you enter, you're greeted with the stunning view of the outdoors and the valley. All three proposals share the concept of allowing the kitchen window to benefit the rest of the space, ensuring no loss of natural light. The dining table is ideal for four on a daily basis and can expand for larger gatherings. Semi-armchairs are recommended for flexibility—they can double as seating in the living room when not around the table.
Highlights:
A striking "wow" factor upon entry, with a seamless view through to the valley.
Generous, open-plan living space.
Spacious kitchen.
Ample storage solutions for the entrance.
Separate toilet and dedicated washer/dryer area.
Considerations:
Bedrooms are compact, sized to the minimum requirements for a sale.
The second bedroom only fits a 140cm bed or sofa bed, and the main bedroom would also feel more comfortable with a 140cm bed, although 160cm is possible.
The entryway opens directly into the main living area.
· Idea no2 – Sleeping area focus
For this second concept, the focus is on maximizing the sleeping areas, offering the largest possible bedrooms along with ample storage.
The master bedroom is designed to be THE standout feature, with the bed oriented to take full advantage of the view. The entrance is partitioned off with the toilet for added privacy. A closed unit accommodates the washer and dryer, along with shelves. The kitchen is semi-open, featuring glass panelling at the end of the countertops.
Highlights:
- Spacious and stunning master bedroom with ample storage and breathtaking morning views.
- Comfortable guest room with storage and a convertible sofa bed or daybed expandable to 160cm.
- Well-defined and spacious entryway with storage and a “transition buffer zone.”
- Private toilet area with a sink.
Considerations:
- Smaller kitchen compared to Concept 1.
- Longer route from the bedroom area to the toilet.
· Idea no3 – Opening up the kitchen
In this design, we explore the possibility of integrating the kitchen into the main living area. Featuring a central island/bar that can seat up to six people, alongside a small, well-defined entrance with storage. The kitchen overflows into the living-room, taking center-stage in this layout. This one is for the chefs amongst the potential buyers and also just because the kitchen is one of the most complex spaces and buyers can be really detail-oriented when it comes to it (and so am I by the way!). This layout caters to real estate investors flipping properties in Geneva, knowing that kitchens can make or break a sale. The bedrooms are slightly smaller but still meet standards, each accommodating a 160cm bed with ample storage.
Highlights:
· Spacious kitchen with a wow factor.
· Practical entryway.
· Laundry and WC remain separate from the bathroom.
· Adequate storage is maintained.
Considerations:
· More complex partition construction.
· Washer is in the kitchen.
Which option do you think my client picked?
3. Style & Design
Maybe you guessed it, or maybe you didn’t, but my client went with option 3, really enjoying the lavish kitchen. After a talk about his style preferences, I designed a moodboard and started drawing the perspective in isometric style to fully visualize the details.
Kitchen and living-room
Bedrooms and bathroom
With Pantone’s 2025 color of the year being Mocha Mousse, I feel like my client was very much on trend with his choice of organic colors and modern designs. Interior design for Geneva property investors is always a fine balance between cost management and creating a standout wow effect for buyers. I feel like we’ve done this by combining high-quality façade finishes with entry-level cabinetry, ensuring a custom-made look at a fraction of the cost. That way, the kitchen, the built-in wardrobes in the entrance and the bedrooms all look and feel custom-made but with minimal cost and time installation. All I can say is, I cannot wait for my client to be done renovating this flat and seeing how fast he sells it, knowing I have designed what can be a little family’s forever home.
Don't hesitate to let me know in the comments if you'd like to know more details, and if you’re an investor with a fixer-upper in Geneva or Geneva’s region, I’d be happy to look at your project and design your future client’s forever home with you. Learn more about the way I work here or simply get in touch.
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