A showhouse interior should be aspirational but never intimidating. I like to design an scheme that has a magazine lifestyle feel but that also has a serene calm and a hint of the personality of a supposed homeowner.

An eco approach

I have been designing and installing showhouses since 1990, starting my own company in 1993. But in 2020, when Ziboh relocated to the Isle of Wight, I made the decision to switch to only providing showhomes that are more environmentally friendly.

If you implement green construction methods, then you understand the importance of sourcing local and renewable materials, water conservation and installing greener forms of generating energy for your buyers’ homes.

Your entire supply chain should be following your lead, and this extends also to a responsibly sourced showhome interior. See our eco interior design page for further information on sustainable interior design.

Design service

Our initial meeting should happen in advance of groundworks starting on your development. From your brief and architect drawings of the property, I will then design your showhome interior and come back to present the scheme to you along with a summary quotation. Unless the actual showhome differs significantly from the plans initially provided, this quotation is fixed.

What’s included

That’s up to you. You can opt for a fully furnished or a part-furnished scheme. It can include curtains and blinds, or you can leave the windows bare. The showhouse can be dressed to the hilt with accessories for drama, or just enough to make the property feel homely and welcoming to your buyers.

You would normally arrange the fitting of floor-coverings, kitchens and bathrooms, and do the decorating. I would provide the free-standing furniture, accessories, lighting, soft furnishings and pictures and mirrors.

How much will it cost?

How much is a car? Obviously, that would depend on whether you’re after a Rolls Royce or a small runabout. Do you want a basic model, or all the bells and whistles. It’s the same with a show home. You’re in control, so you decide on a budget that’s right for you.

Client’s stock management

For clients who hold a stock of furniture and furnishings they would like utilised in future showhomes, I can help manage this stock. Given access to your stock, I will check for damage and measure and photograph each item. For a showhouse nearing the end of its life on site, it is advisable that I visit before it is cleared as it is much easier to make a detailed inventory.

Back at my office the data is entered into our stock management software. This is cloud-based, which allows the client to have online access 24/7.

When asked to design future showhomes for you, I will ensure your stock is prioritised, to keep costs down for you. I can also arrange for items to be reupholstered or given a make over.

Why furnish a showhome?

As one of your most important sales tools, a furnished show home enables your buyers to envisage what their new home could look like. Executed well, it helps to excite people into wanting one of your properties as their home, and showcases the quality of your development and your company.

Aren’t I just pouring money down the drain?

Absolutely not. A showhome is an essential part of your marketing, just like an estate agent, local advertising, printed brochures, and landscaping. Just as those expenses are spread across the cost of the entire development, so is the show home.