Maximising Light and Space

Buyers have to be able to imagine living in the house that they are viewing, with their own possessions and furniture. It is your job to make it as easy as possible for them to visualise this, by making your property look as light and spacious as possible.

Maximising Light

Try to make sure that your hallway is light and bright for immediate impact when your viewers arrive. Clean the windows thoroughly, and draw the curtains well back. Install uplighters or spotlights to illuminate dark corners and switch on lights in dark areas. Painting walls and ceilings a pale neutral shade and fitting a light coloured carpet will also enhance the light and space.

Never present one of your bedrooms, no matter how small, as a junk room. You will be doing yourself out of money.

Maximising Space

If a buyer cannot see a room for clutter, there is no chance of them mentally moving in. Edit your belongings ruthlessly and arrange furniture to allow freedom of movement. Buyers need to feel that there is adequate room for their belongings - not get the impression that even you are struggling for space. Clear out all shelves and cupboards, and put everything back in a neat, organised manner. Now, more than ever, less is more (that is, less clutter is money in your pocket).

Take advantage of unused storage areas in the house, in lofts, basements, garages, under the stairs, and so on, and present them neatly as an asset, not an eyesore.

Painting walls and ceilings a pale neutral shade will enhance the feeling of space and light. Using the same shade and texture when decorating unifies the space and makes it seem larger and allows rooms to flow into one another.

Mirrors are also a good way to make a room look bigger and brighter. A large mirror over a fireplace is essential and mirrors can also be skilfully used in small kitchens and bathrooms. If the living room doesn't have a fireplace, try to create a focal point with an attractive piece of furniture.