First impressions of your property can really make or break a deal. Ben Bambrough, from bB Design House, shares his expertise with his top-five tips on how home staging your property can help secure its sale.
1. THE KITCHEN
This is the most important room in the house that can arguably be the deal breaker for the sale of your property. Replace chipped or worn doors, replace handles and give walls a new coat of paint. Replace tatty tea towels and accessories and faulty lights. Re-arrange work surfaces so they remain functional but uncluttered. Update flooring if it’s worn to create a light and airy space. Viewers tend to be unimaginative, so rooms need to be styled for a clear purpose that’s not empty or cluttered but stylishly lived in. Don’t forget the cupboard space – buyers will sometimes browse cupboards, so make sure these are just as organised too.
2. THE BEDROOM
The bedroom is a place to relax and retreat so choose calming, neutral colours. Dressing the bed is very important so choose quality fabrics that add textural interest. Buyers are purchasing their dream space, so don’t let them think it’s too cramped or small. Consider how the furniture is being displayed and, if it’s too big for the space or there’s too much of it, remove it or move it around. Remove unnecessary clutter and don’t overcrowd walls with too many pictures to maximise the illusion of space. The key aim is to create a calming area that flows, while maintaining a comfortable and functional space. Mirrors reflect light and create the feeling of space. Instead of hanging mirrors in practical places, strategically place them where they will reflect windows and light – naturally or from your lighting scheme. Choose mirrored panels on furniture, which has a similar effect.
3. THE BATHROOM
Highlight important aspects such as the taps and fittings as these are elements that buyers don’t want to have to replace. Bathrooms are expensive to refurbish so stage it perfectly and update brassware if it’s needed. Keep light fittings to a minimum and make sure the space is clean and sparkling. Get rid of worn accessories such as towels and replace with fresh new ones. Give walls a new lick of paint and make sure fixtures are in good working order.
4. DE-CLUTTER
Clear away the daily clutter that you have been accustomed to in living spaces. Depersonalise the space and remove personal belongings such as photographs and clothes and make sure you clean every surface to create an inviting space. Create living spaces that are strong in symmetry and rich in accents to create a space that’s warm and inviting. Use furniture that’s of low height so it doesn’t override the space, and display fresh flowers to breathe some life into the space.
5. SIZE
Homeowners are increasingly becoming more aware of the importance of room proportions and maximising their space. A small room can actually look a third larger than it actually is simply by having furniture in it. As our eyes don’t allow for us to calculate distances, empty rooms appear much smaller. Furniture naturally breaks the depth of the space and draws the eye in to create the illusion of a bigger room. Importantly, don’t feel intimidated by a small room, you can actually get a 4ft bed with furniture into a bedroom and walk around quite comfortably without it feeling small. If it’s a really boxed-in room, use low height furniture so it doesn’t override the space.
Contact www.bbdesignhouse.com