6 pro styling tips to add thousands to your home’s market value
While renovating and expanding your living space can certainly increase market value. Elevating the allure of your home doesn’t always require a sledgehammer or architectural blueprints.
There’s a subtle yet powerful approach that could potentially boost your home’s market worth by a staggering 4% to 20%—styling.
If the thought of extensive construction work feels daunting, or if your property isn’t conducive to major modifications, fear not. There’s an alternative method that doesn’t involve contractors or zoning hurdles. By investing some time and a modest budget into the presentation of your home, you could wield significant influence in securing a buyer willing to pay above asking price. The adage “first impressions matter” rings particularly true in the realm of real estate, which is why we enlist skilled stylists who collaborate with photographers to craft captivating visuals for our clients’ marketing materials.
Recent research from The International Association of Home Staging Professionals revealed that homes professionally furnished and styled tend to command prices ranging from 4% to 20% above the initial asking price. But, the impact of a meticulously presented home extends beyond aesthetics. It resonates with potential buyers, urging them to recognise the intrinsic value of your home and make more compelling offer in order to secure it.
In essence, transforming your living space into a showcase of its finest features not only captures attention but also translates into a potential windfall when it’s time to sell.
So, with that in mind we’ve put together this handy guide to help you style your home in a way that adds real value. It’s well worth considering, not only could in order to secure a higher sale price. But also because you’re likely to sell much more quickly than other comparable homes on the market that are missing that all-important styling touch.
Use these six pro styling tips and you could add thousands to the value of your home:
1. Maximise light and space
Creating a home that exudes light, spaciousness, and an inviting ambiance can significantly enhance the appeal for potential buyers. This effect is twofold: rooms appear more expansive than anticipated, and you’re subtly conveying that the space is more than sufficient to accommodate their lifestyle.
Commence the transformation by decluttering and simplifying each room, allowing the interior to ‘breathe’. While personal touches like photographs, ornaments, and books are welcome. A sparingly curated selection strategically placed throughout a room strikes a balance, revealing personality while enabling buyers to envision their belongings seamlessly integrating into the space. Should you need guidance about what to showcase and what to stow away during the sales process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly team are always happy to share the gift of their experience.
After maximising physical space, the next step involves employing optical illusions. Well-positioned mirrors play a transformative role, effectively bouncing light and creating a sense of depth—particularly advantageous in more confined spaces like narrow rooms and hallways.
Consider the placement, size, and orientation of mirrors and artwork. Given the natural tendency of the human eye to scan vertically before horizontally, wall hangings with a ‘portrait’ orientation instil an impression of increased height in a room. Additionally, larger pictures generally impart a feeling of spaciousness compared to clusters of smaller ones. If you lack sizeable artworks, numerous cost-effective companies specialise in canvas printing, allowing you to showcase unique shots, like captivating landscapes, as stunning focal points.
Highlight the room’s dimensions by drawing the buyer’s focus to the furthest point from the entrance. Whether it’s a distinctive piece of furniture, a sizeable plant, or a captivating artwork, ensure there’s an element that captures their attention immediately upon entering. Apply the same principle outdoors, guiding visitors’ gaze down the garden towards an appealing seating area or vibrant shrubbery, fostering immediate curiosity.
2. Furniture
Given that a home often represents the most significant investment in a person’s lifetime, it becomes paramount to demonstrate the value of every square inch of space they are acquiring. This necessitates a thoughtful approach to furnishing and styling, ensuring each room serves a distinct and purposeful function.
One space that frequently succumbs to the risk of appearing underutilised is the conservatory. If you are fortunate enough to have one, it’s crucial to define its purpose clearly – whether as a serene sitting room or a luminous dining area. Another common challenge lies in the smallest bedroom. Despite the constraints of space, styling it with functionality in mind is essential. Transform it into either a cozy single room or a versatile study. For those buyers who juggle part-time remote work or run a small business from home, an office space can be as valuable as an additional bedroom, offering them a sense of added value for their investment.
Equally important is ensuring that your furniture allows the room to ‘breathe.’ In a well-intentioned effort to create an illusion of more space, some individuals mistakenly push furniture into corners or against walls—particularly noticeable in bedrooms. However, this approach can backfire, making the space feel more cramped. Strategically spacing out the furniture allows potential buyers to appreciate the ample room available for proper placement, imparting a sense of spaciousness without sacrificing comfort.
3. Add warmth and colour to your home styling
While a light and neutral décor undoubtedly serves as an appealing backdrop for potential buyers, it’s essential to infuse vibrancy and personality into your home with the help of soft furnishings.
Consider selecting a distinct colour scheme for each room and introduce textured cushions and throws onto chairs and sofas. Whether opting for a touch of glamour with velvet or fur, exercise restraint in the quantity and variety of accessories to maintain a cohesive look. The goal is to inject a pop of colour and visual interest without overshadowing the overarching sense of light and space.
Rugs – particularly in larger rooms – can not only add warmth to wood or tiled floors but also contribute to a cozy atmosphere. In smaller spaces, be mindful of maintaining flooring continuity to preserve the flow, and ensure that accessories are proportionate to the room’s size. A general guideline is to limit the number of cushions to one per seat and a maximum of two items on any surface.
Ample lighting is key to create an inviting ambiance throughout your home. Opt for strategically placed lamps, as they cast a more flattering light than overhead fixtures fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere, even on gloomy days. Don’t overlook outdoor lighting, especially if viewings extend into the evenings. Consider incorporating solar-powered lights in the garden for a delightful effect, leaving a lasting impression on potential buyers.
4. Include inviting lifestyle touches
When presenting your home for sale, you’re essentially marketing a lifestyle. Demonstrating how you cherish and enjoy the space in a way that resonates with potential buyers can ignite their imagination, fostering a sense of belonging and increasing the likelihood of a compelling offer.
The key to this lies in selecting accessories reminiscent of those found in aspirational magazines and boutique hotels—items that effortlessly resonate with buyers. Candles, for instance, serve as a simple yet highly effective method to cultivate a warm and inviting ambiance. While you don’t have to illuminate every candle, strategically placing softly-scented ones in the primary reception areas and bedroom can evoke a sense of relaxation, allowing buyers to forge an emotional connection with the space.
Introducing plants and fresh flowers brings vitality to each room, creating a harmonious blend of greenery and colour throughout your home:
- Consider incorporating peace lilies for their ease of care and versatile aesthetics, suitable for any space.
- Orchids, with their elegant beauty, find a perfect home on coffee tables and in bedrooms.
- For period or rustic homes, hand-cut posies of flowers add a charming touch, while longer, more elegant stems complement a modern aesthetic.
Additionally, displaying a few glossy magazines subtly reinforces the aspirational quality of your home, inviting potential buyers to envision themselves in this curated and inviting space.
5. Make sure your kitchen is the heart of the home
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 countertops, and then put some fresh bread on a board or cake on a stand before viewings.
6. Elevate your bathroom with elegant brands & styling
Finally, in the bathrooms, have fresh toiletries on display. If possible, we recommend using a recognisable brand to give a hint of elegance and appeal. Finish the look in the bathroom with some clean coordinated towels. Ideally, keep a full set of towels aside (that you don’t use every day), for viewings.
Just as with soft furnishings, the cardinal rule for incorporating lifestyle touches is to exercise restraint in both quantity and strategic placement.
While investing in styling your home might incur some costs, it should only represent a fraction of the substantial return you stand to gain in terms of increased sale price. The modest investment is undeniably worthwhile, promising substantial returns.
Whether your property is already on the market or you’re contemplating a sale, our expertise in enhancing your home’s value through strategic styling is at your disposal. We’re always ready to provide guidance and would be delighted to assist you in unlocking the full potential of your property. So, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Your success is our priority.
