Renovating in Greece: Add Value Without Losing Your Mind

Renovate and Redesign with Confidence

Before (above) and after of a kitchen redesign in the Peloponnese.

This heritage family villa sleeps 12 people. With a tight budget of €80,000, the job was to redesign, repair, repaint, refresh, and furnish all 400+ sq m of living space, including 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 4 verandas.

To keep in budget, we recycled as much existing material as possible.

This kitchen redesign included a new color palette, additional storage, cabinet expansion, backsplash installation, custom white concrete countertops, a custom two-tier sink, upgraded copper hardware , improved air circulation with cross positioned wall fans, plus a breakfast bar for four. The kitchen measures a total area of 35 sq meters.

Where Greek renovations go wrong

Scope creep (extra tasks and revisions without an adjustment to original budget or timeline), vague quotes, missed timelines, inconsistent finishes, exposed wiring, improper material implementation, cut corners, the list goes on. Without proper project management and a interior designer on the ground, renovations in Athens and beyond can be a major headache.

Upgrades that add value

Greece is an expats dreamland. We have incredible locations, Athens is full of life and the islands are irresistible. Over the years, the influx of expats has lead Greece to become a renovation nation. Properties are old—really old, we are talking stone houses that go back 100 years or more—and apartment buildings in Athens that were built very quickly in the 1950s–1980s.

While prices for these properties are affordable, many modern renovations are missing. You are going to run into necessary upgrades. These are most often going to be related to electrical, and main space renovations and redesigns.

In properties that have been renovated by the seller, you’ll often find that contractor grade (read cheap) materials have been used, or maybe the colors and styles do not suit your taste. Oftentimes, these upgrades are just not functional and miss the mark. Trust us that you will find an overabundance of beige, taupe and grey tiles and kitchens, waterfall showers with misplaced drains and no slant for water control, bathtubs placed too high for safe entry or exit, exposed piping and more…

With all this in mind, below is a list of common renovations you will need to do in Greece, and the fixtures, finishes and equipment that will add value and modern comfort to your new home.

• Kitchens/Baths: You will want stone, marble, quartz, wood or concrete counters, integrated lighting, matte fixtures, new cabinetry, smart storage integrations, and A+ or more rated electrical appliances.

• Lighting & Power: Dimmers, wall lights, concealed LEDs, and smart electrical planning—meaning outlets where you need them, modern USB Type-C plugs in the walls, and most likely a new electrical box and certificate (required by law).

• Built-ins: New wardrobes, pantries, and outdoor benches to increase perceived space. If you are American, Canadian or Australian expats, let me tell you that storage is the biggest challenge you will have since are accustomed to so much space to keep our stuff! You will very likely want to change the layout of the wardrobes in place now, or you may have to add them altogether in much older properties.

• Outdoor living: Shade, dining, and night lighting—extend usable square meters.
  With our fabulous weather all over Greece, you want to make most of the outdoors. You can also extend your living spaces by having verandas and covered patios that work for all weather. Outdoor fireplaces, dining areas and kitchens are all wonderful ways to enjoy Greece’s famous “2 springs” and long summers.

  If you have bought a new home or investment property in Greece, here is my design-first renovation method you will want to keep in mind when getting ready to talk about a project with professionals.

  • Get clarity: Measured drawings, mood boards, material specifications.

  • Control and monitor the process: ask for line-item budgets; change-order protocol; milestone approvals.

  • Ensure quality: Licensed contractors; site checks; installation inspections, trusted material sourcing and procurement, known vendors.

  • Clear Timelines: Phased schedules; critical path tracking; milestone updates and video calls. If someone tells you “avrio” (tomorrow)— run.

Want to avoid headaches, design debt, and work with a team that understands your needs? As expats, we understand the difficulties and challenges of working in this country.

Arrive to a finished home—without wasting weekends in furniture showrooms or headaches with contractors.