Designing for broad appeal (without going bland)

I’ve recently completed a set of colour schedules for a local building company with no end client involved.

When you’re designing without a specific person in mind, the goal shifts. Instead of personal taste, you’re designing for broad appeal — creating spaces that feel welcoming to a wide range of people and easy to imagine living in.

That doesn’t mean defaulting to an all white interior.

For this project, the palettes were intentionally neutral, but layered with warmth and interest. The inspiration came from Scandi and Japandi interiors — two styles known for their calm, earthy tones, simple forms and quiet sense of beauty.

Interest is added through:
– interesting tile layouts that add subtle texture
– soft contrast between finishes
– materials that feel considered, not generic

These are the elements that elevate a space.

If you’re building or renovating to sell, this approach is worth considering. A home doesn’t need bold colour or strong personal style to stand out, but it also doesn’t need to be a white and grey box.

Instead, think about who is most likely to buy the home, and design with them in mind:
– a young family
– an older couple
– first-home buyers
– someone downsizing

These homes aren’t designed to dominate with a strong narrative, they’re designed to support one. The palette and finishes create a calm, cohesive base that feels resolved on its own, while leaving room for future owners to layer in personality through art, furniture, textiles and colour.

The aim is for someone to walk in and feel an immediate sense of ease, and at the same time, clearly see how the space could evolve with them. Without costly rework, and no big structural changes - just thoughtful design that allows individuality to sit comfortably within it.