One way to add value to
your home is by renovating it; another is through increasing the amount of
accommodation, by either building an extension or converting something like the
loft or a garage to create an extra living room or bedroom.
But if you don’t want to
undertake that kind of building work, or you’re not able to because of planning
or available space, the good news is, there’s another way you can add value –
without calling any contractors!
If you invest some time
and can spend a little money simply on the presentation of your home, that can
carry a huge amount of weight when it comes to securing a buyer and getting the
best possible price. The power of first impressions is the reason we have
stylists on our team that work with photographers to create the best possible
images for our clients’ marketing brochures.
Research carried out
last year by The International Association of Home Staging
Professionalsfound that the majority of homes that
had been professionally furnished and styled sold for between 4% and 20% more
than the asking price. And we know ourselves that when buyers see a home that’s
beautifully presented, showing off every room at its very best and suggesting
an aspirational lifestyle, they’re much more likely to see its value and make a
strong offer.
So, here are our top tips
on how to style your home so that you add real value. Not only could that mean
securing a higher sale price, but you’re also likely to sell much quicker than
other comparable homes on the market that are missing that all-important
styling touch.
Maximise light and space
The lighter, brighter
and more spacious a home looks, the better buyers tend to feel about it. That’s
partly a reaction to rooms appearing larger than they expected and partly
because you’re showing them that there’s plenty of space to fit in everything
they’ll need to enjoy the home.
The first thing to do is
tidy and simplify each room so that the interior space can ‘breathe’. You can
still have photographs, ornaments and books on display, but just a few of each
placed around a room is enough to show some personality, while still allowing
buyers to easily visualise their own possessions in the space. If you’d like
some advice on what to keep out and what you should put away while your home’s
on the market, just give us a call and our stylists will be happy to help.
Once you’ve created more
physical space, it’s then a case of using some optical illusions. Well-placed
mirrors can transform a home, bouncing light around and giving an impression of
depth, which is particularly helpful in narrower rooms and hallways.
And think about the size
and orientation of both mirrors and pictures. The human eye naturally scans
vertically before horizontally, so wall hangings with a ‘portrait’ orientation
will give the impression of more height in a room. It’s also generally true
that larger pictures tend to make rooms feel bigger than if you have clusters
of smaller ones. If you don’t already have any larger pieces of artwork, there
are many companies that will print images on canvases in a variety of sizes,
very cost-effectively. Look through your favourite photographs – something like
a unique shot of an attractive landscape can make a stunning feature in a room.
You can also emphasise
the size of a room by having something that immediately draws the buyer’s eye
to the furthest point from the doorway. That could be a particular piece of
furniture, a large plant or a striking piece of art – just something that
catches their eye as soon as they walk in. The same trick can be used outside,
so that people are immediately encouraged to look down the garden, whether
that’s to a lovely seating area or a brightly-coloured shrub.
Furniture
Given that a home is
often the most expensive purchase many people will make in their lives, you’ve
got to show that every bit of space they’re paying for is valuable, which means
furnishing and styling rooms so that they have a clear purpose.
We find one room that
often falls into the trap of looking a little like wasted space is a
conservatory. So, if you have one, style it clearly as a peaceful sitting room
or a light and airy dining room. Another common challenge is the smallest
bedroom. No matter how tight the space, it’s important to style it so it’s
functional, so set it up as either a single room or a study. For buyers who
work part-time from home or maybe run their own small business, an office space
can be just as valuable as a third or fourth bedroom and can make them feel as
though they’re getting more for their money.
And make sure you allow
furniture to ‘breathe’. In an effort to create more space, some people make the
mistake of pushing furniture into the edges and corners – particularly in
bedrooms – when this actually has the opposite effect. Spacing the furniture
out a little will let buyers see that there’s plenty of room for it to fit
properly, without feeling cramped.
Add warmth and colour
While light, neutral
décor is certainly attractive to buyers as a basic canvas for your home, make
sure you then brighten it up and add some personality with soft furnishings.
Pick a colour scheme for
each room and put a few textured cushions and throws on chairs and sofas. You
can go for a touch of glamour with velvet or fur, but limit the number and
variety of accessories, otherwise it can start to look confusing. The idea is
to add a splash of colour and interest, while not intruding on the overall impression
of light and space.
Rugs can add warmth to
wood or tiled floors and tend to work well in larger rooms. Generally speaking,
try to avoid breaking up the flow of the flooring in smaller rooms and keep the
number of accessories in proportion with the size of the space. A good rule of
thumb is no more than one cushion for every seat and a maximum of two items on
any surface.
Finally, make sure you
have plenty of lamps around your home. They cast a much more flattering light
than overhead fittings and can make rooms feel warm and welcoming, even on a
dull day. Don’t forget to have some lighting outside, if possible, particularly
if you’re accepting viewings in the evenings. Some solar-powered lights
throughout the garden can also create a pretty effect and help make a memorable
impression on buyers.
Lifestyle touches
When you’re selling your
home, you’re selling a lifestyle, and if you can show people that you enjoy the
space in a way that also appeals to them, it’ll encourage them to picture
themselves there. And the more ‘at home’ they feel, the more likely they are to
make a great offer.
The key is to pick the
kinds of accessories that you see in aspirational magazines and boutique
hotels, that buyers can easily recognise and identify with. Candles are a
really simple and effective way of creating a welcoming atmosphere and,
although you don’t have to light them all, some softly-scented candles in the
main reception room and bedroom can help buyers to feel relaxed and connect
emotionally with the space.
Plants and fresh flowers
bring life to a room, so go for a mixture of greenery and colour throughout
your home. Peace lilies are easy to care for and look great anywhere, while
orchids are perfect for coffee tables and in bedrooms. Hand-cut posies of
flowers are great for period and rustic homes, while longer, more elegant stems
suit a modern style – and don’t forget to have a few glossy magazines on
display as well.
The kitchen is
traditionally known as the heart of the home, so make sure it’s beating! Have a
lovely big bowl of fruit and a vase of fresh flowers on the counter tops, and
then put some fresh bread on a board or cake on a stand before viewings.
Finally, in the
bathrooms, have some fresh toiletries on display that have recognisable,
aspirational branding such as Molton Brown or L’Occitane. Remember to keep a full set aside
that you don’t use every day, then they’ll always look fresh for viewings.
Finish the look in the bathroom with some clean co-ordinated towels.
As with soft
furnishings, the golden rule with all these lifestyle touches is not to have
too many and to place them carefully.
While you may have to
spend a bit of money on styling your home, it should only be a fraction of what
you’ll get back in terms of pounds on your sale price, so it’s certainly well
worth the small investment.
So, whether you’re on
the market already or just thinking about selling, if you’d like our advice on
how you could add thousands to the value of your home through styling, call us
on 03338 802 602 or email enquire@three2six.co.uk and we can help you transform your space.
We’re always here to help and would love to hear from you!
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