Now that you finally have your house the way you want it, guess what? It’s time to make it less...YOU! Your objective is to appeal to as many people as possible. This is why some of the following suggestions may be hard to implement at first, but they make a large impact on how your property is received. Think of how model homes are decorated. What these designers accomplish are stylish homes that although may have a definite style, are very universal in their appeal. People can imagine themselves living there. Their stuff may not necessarily fit in, but they want it to work. The following are some general tips to help make your spaces more “public-friendly.”
GET RID OF EXCESS CLUTTER
Put away small, unnecessary pieces such as knick-knacks, souvenirs and any over- abundance of “art” your child may have brought home. Getting rid of this excess will help make your home appear neat and well maintained. Clear magnets from refrigerator doors.
Remove all small area rugs such as bath mats and rugs in front of sinks. If you must use them, roll them up and put away for showings and virtual tours. By doing this your floor will flow better, giving a larger feel to the home. The only rugs that should be left out are large ones that are “anchoring” a furniture grouping, ie: under a dining room table or under a sofa and coffee table. Consider using an attractive extra rug as a wall hanging if you are lacking in wall art. Avoid using doilies and placemats under frames and candles, etc. on table surfaces. Organize necessary clutter like cd’s and dvd’s in baskets and stack near t.v. or in niches. This will still keep them handy but out of plain view.
PLACEMENT
Architectural Niches --Stick to one picture or one vase per niche. One large item versus many small make a huge difference. Too many items look cluttered and uncoordinated. Make sure the height of the object is appropriate for the niche. Any one item should fill two-thirds to three-fourths of the niche’s height. Anything smaller will appear dwarfed. Try and paint the inside of the niche three to four shades darker than the wall for additional drama.
Pictures --Hang art lower to make a room appear larger. Make sure pictures are “anchored” properly. When hanging a picture over a sofa, it should be no more than ten inches higher than the back of the sofa, otherwise it will seem like it is “floating.”
-Try not to stagger pictures. This is a tricky application and more often than not, it looks too contrived. Instead, stack similar pictures on top of each other or side by side. Avoid “creative” arrangements and keep it simple.
-Keep family photos small and confined to one space (remember, another family is trying to visualize living there).
-Keep collections together instead of spreading them all over the house. They will make a larger impact this way. Also, keep collectables and other smaller items off the floor putting then instead on a table or other raised surface. This makes it less of a safety factor and keeps the home looking neater.
FURNITURE--Try and keep it arranged simply and in conversation areas. Don’t “line” your walls with furniture. Sometimes long rooms need a breaking point where furniture can create two separate areas. A properly placed ottoman, sofa or console trunk can act as a room divider. Outdated styles and colors can be updated by ready made slipcovers as well as throw pillows and throw blankets. These should all stay pretty neutral in color rather than a usual accent color which would normally bring in a brighter color.
PAINT --If your paint is pure white or a favorite bold color of yours, you may consider painting. A neutral, warm shade of tan or taupe can bring life to a space instantly, or tone it down if strong color is a problem. If you decide to paint, doing public areas, ie: foyer, kitchen, halls and family room, should be enough. Keep color schemes monochromatic and neutral, as it is hard to discern every person’s likes and dislikes when it comes to a strong color.
PLANTS--If you don’t have plants consider investing in some silk ledge plants for cabinet tops and entertainment shelving areas. This is a great way to add instant life to a room. A couple of floor trees add height and drama to rooms and can be purchased for a reasonable price at local craft stores.
I hope these suggestions are helpful and assist with your selling experience. Many of these tips can be utilized in your new home as well. Hopefully, that is where you can use them again soon!
Happy Selling, Michelle Samar
