Give Your Home That Decorator's Touch When Selling
How can you make your house stand out above the rest a would-be buyer might be looking at?
With the general obsession for improving and decorating homes fueled by TV shows like "Trading Spaces" and the swelling number of decorating and design magazines, buyer's are more impressed when the houses they are viewing look like---or close to--- the houses they see in magazines and at home shows.
A good Realtor knows about staging and curb appeal. But, sometimes it helps to go a step farther and invest a few extra dollars to really make your house stand out. However, first a word of warning: Because everyone's tastes are so different, don't do anything extreme. Try to stay mainstream, neutral, and conservative.
Curb Appeal
As with any style house, curb appeal --the first impression-- is crucial. If the exterior, (especially the front), is well kept, boasting fresh paint, a manicured lawn, and professional looking landscaping you will be off to a great start. Keep cars out of the driveway, make sure all toys and yard tools are out of view, clean the windows and spruce up the front door if you need to by painting, adding a new handle, and bringing in that homey feeling with a seasonal wreath. Keep the walkways clean and safe. A few flowers in pots,and a bit of bark can do a lot to spruce up the yard.
The Entryway
The entryway gives your visitor a feel for what the rest of the house is like. Make it warm and welcome by providing a smattering of accessories---but don't overdo it. A small console table is a good idea if you have space. Place a lamp on the table and hang a picture over the table. An area rug adds warmth and texture. Add a good sized plant in an attractive planter and you are set. It is not uncommon in our rainy environment for sellers to request people viewing their home to remove their shoes. Your realtor should have signs to that effect, and booties for people to slip over their shoes if they would rather.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is often where deals are made or lost. Today's kitchen is the heart of the home, where families cook, entertain, pay bills, do homework, and just hang out. Tha's why it's imperative that your kitchen looks it's best.
For starters, clear all the clutter from the countertops, check the grout and clean well if needed. A few small appliances is okay, but hide those stacks of bills, the to-be-recycled newspapers and the extra items you have taking up the counter space.
Take stock of the condition of the walls. If they look grungy to you, they'll definitely look questionable to a would-be home buyer. A fresh coat of paint is inexpensive and can brighten up the room. Make sure that the stove top is clean and replace burner pans if necessary. Wipe down the exteriors of all appliances if necessary. Take all the family photos, heirlooms, coupons, etc. off the refrigerator too.
Other ways to spruce up the kitchen without going through any major remodeling include:
- Replacing your faucet. There are plenty of styles and finishes on the market, from sleek and contemporary to warm and rustic.
- Changing out your hardware. Replacing the hardware on your cabinetry is fairly inexpensive and can totally change the look of the kitchen.
- Lighting it up. Strategically placed light always makes a room more inviting. In the kitchen, recessed down lights assure even illumination. Install them over the stove and sink areas to create adequate task lighting for cooking and cleaning. And a beautiful pendant over the kitchen table is functional and appealing to the eye.
- Adding some artwork to liven up the walls.
- Treating your windows. Window treatments create instant character. Speaking of which, if the mini-blinds are bent, broken, stained, or have missing slats just get rid of them. Clean the doggy paws and children's hand prints off sliding glass doors and windows too.
Living and Family Rooms
One of the most important things you can do to make your living and family room look great is have your furniture placed as a decorator would. That means making sure furniture is sized for the room. If you have a small room, then you'll need smaller sized furniture. And don't try to put too much furniture in a room.
Choose your focal point, whether it's a fireplace, TV, or piece of art. Arrange your furniture around the centerpiece. Try to stay away from putting sofas against walls. And try to place your furniture pieces close enough together so that your have a warm, intimate feeling as you and your family or guests are seated. Add pillows and throw blankets to accessorize.
If your room allows, have two separate seating areas. Try to incorporate console tables, art, sconces,plants,lamps, and rugs into the room.
And if you have a small room, strategically placed mirrors can help make a room appear larger. You should also focus on accessories that are long and narrow. Long thin lamps and plants can help you achieve a sense of height versus accessories that take up a lot of horizontal space.
based on an article in Realty Times by Michele Dawson
