Is it time to sell your small home and move the family to a larger one? If you’re wondering whether the market has an appetite for smaller homes, do not despair – there are always buyers looking for their first home, or downsizing from a larger family home.
The important thing is to make your home as attractive to buyers as any other they see. Here are some easy tweaks you can do to make a big impact.
Street appeal
You’ve probably heard it a million times before, but first impressions do count. If your home is on the market, make sure it has a positive visual impact on those seeing it for the first time. Keep gardens tidy and lawns mowed, plant some bright, seasonal flowers and make sure the path to the front door is clean, welcoming and free of toys or other clutter.
Clean up
While we’re on the subject of clutter… having a lot of ‘stuff’ out or on display can make it virtually impossible to see the true dimensions of a room and in a small house that can be problematic. Keep surfaces clear (especially in the kitchen), pack away ornaments, mementoes, books and photos, and keep artwork to a minimum.
Reduce the furniture
As with clutter, excess furniture can make a room look smaller than it actually is. Remove, store or sell large pieces of furniture and most of the tables, chairs and beds, as this will help rooms look bigger. Bookshelves are okay, but thin out the number of items on each shelf, to create a sense of space.
Use light colours
Dark colours can also make a small room look even smaller, so if you’re planning to spruce up your walls with a fresh coat of paint, make sure you choose a light colour. If you want to create the effect of having more light in a room, paint the ceiling in a lighter shade than the walls.
Light up
Before viewings, open curtains and blinds and turn on all the lights in the house. This gives a sense of openness which is important in a smaller property. As with paint colours, try to keep the curtains light, preferably in the same colour as the walls.
Decorate to create space
When decorating a small room use tall, slim accessories that help draw the eye upwards. Thin, tall lamps and plants give a sense of height. Mirrors can be another important decorating tool for a small room, because placed in the correct location a mirror can make a room look twice its actual size.
Garden living space
If you have outdoor space, either in the front or back garden, present it as an extension of the living area. Include an outdoor table, perhaps a market umbrella, make sure landscaping is neat and tidy, and add some colourful annuals. If the outdoor living area is inviting, it will help your home stand out from others on the market, especially in these times when people are looking for outdoor space to enjoy.
