Lately, there has been a lot of buz about selling your city pad and moving to the country. Properties are flooding the market and your home needs to stand out against some serious competition. First impression is everything!

1. Hang a mirror

Often entryways are narrow and dark, not the welcoming mood you want to set. Installing a mirror on a wall will make it look bigger whilst allowing natural light to fill the space. Adding natural plants will also set the tone to a more inviting space and make it feel fresh. A little hint, natural flowers give out a lovely welcoming scent. You can get plants at your local nursery or even order them online.

2. Best light to shine

The best light for your home to shine is… (if you have read any of my past blog posts on lighting you would know this one) natural light. An inexpensive trick is to make sure all windows are properly cleaned and keep all curtains and blinds open. Ambient lighting is a savior in the evening. We all like some warm glow in our sitting room. Even better if you have a working fireplace to set a cosy mood . If you want to read more on light go to my blog post on why is lighting important.

3. Declutter declutter declutter

There is nothing like walking into a space that feels light and spacious. I suggest taking the time to clear-out and rid your rooms from unnecessary objects. We all tend to accumulate way more than what we need and when you are trying to sell you home, less is more! By this I also mean putting away any sentimental objects that are not serving a clear purpose. It takes a lot of effort but it can make a big difference. It is arguably the cheapest improvement you can make to your house. If you are keen to keep some of the stuff you are decluttering, no need to panic, just put it in storage until you sell the house.

4. Look down

The surface in which you walk on also needs TLC. In your busy every day life the floor is often overlooked. Just remember, you might be oblivious to that stain in the carpet but a buyer will see it as if it had a neon arrow sign pointing at it. If you do not have carpets in your home, you are not off the hook as wooden flooring that is horribly scratched is also an eye soar and can bring the property value down . Replacing the floors may be too expensive but a little bit of love can go a long way.

5. Quick fixes

Another simple way to make your home stands out is to make sure all the little defects are looked after and fixed. By this I mean leaking taps, loose tiles or banisters, creaking doors, broken handles etc. I recommend taking a tour through each room of your house with a critical eye. Make all the little fixes you never previously had the time to do.

6. Garden love

The garden is also a room of your house, it just happens to be outside. As such, it should not be neglected. A well kept beautiful garden can add to the value of a home, your home! It is time to get down and dirty. Get rid of those overgrown weeds and out of control bushes. All has to be trimmed and manicured to look its best. An effective tip is to clean the paths and pick up all the fallen leaves around the garden.

7. The heart of the home

The kitchen is the most important room in the house and it is a top priority for most buyers, even if they don’t say it. If you are going to spend some money prepping your home for a sale, it should be in this room. For those that are short on time, ensuring your appliances are all up to date is a great way to add value, without much elbow grease. If you are willing to go an extra step you can also change the worktops for an updated look. If you are looking for a quicker less expensive approach, you can update some handles and even paint the cabinetry. Anything that seems new will make your room shine!

Another great way for your home to stand out from the crowd is by having it staged. This should add around 8% to the purchase price. For more tips and ideas send me an email to hello@orsettointeriors.com to discuss your project, I will be delighted to hear about it!