Every vendor wants to have their home looking in the best shape possible when selling and the living room is usually top of the list when it comes to first impressions.
But it can often be tricky knowing how to stage your furniture, style living rooms and make best use of your living space.
Ex-real estate agent and founder of staging company Simplify Me, Cat Brown, says there are a few quick and easy ways to get great results.
“Styling for sale isn’t necessarily styling for living” she says.
Cat’s styling business is all about maximising space and organised styling. Picture: Simplify Me
Selling isn’t about creating a space that’s cosy – its about decluttering, brightening and making rooms look larger.
If you want get your living room looking fabulous on open days, but don’t want to break the bank, here are five simple tricks to follow.
1. Open up the space
Where and how furniture is placed can really change the look and feel of a living room. Picture: Getty
The first step to clever staging is to try and open up your living space.
To make a room look bigger and prevent potential buyers from bumping into things, change around where things are placed.
“You can maximise your space by changing your furniture orientation,” says Cat.
“You want to show how large your space is, even if it isn’t.”
So reposition your furniture and remove anything unnecessary.
2. Centre the artwork at eye level
Paintings can fill an empty wall, making the space look bigger. Picture: Getty
Art can really change a room’s whole appearance, adding colour, personality and interest.
A vibrant picture can brighten up a room, or a darker piece may complement your furnishings, especially if they’re neutral in colour.
Cat says that while you may have some great pieces of art work, you may want to consider rearranging them.
Having the artwork at eye-level is key for full maximum effect.
3. Introduce soft furnishings
Think about which colours suit and complement the room. Picture: Getty
You don’t have to spend a fortune to completely change the look of your living room.
Introduce soft furnishings like cushions, lamps, rugs, accessories and throws.
They’re a great way to introduce a colour scheme into the home in a subtle but effective way.
With cushions as cheap at $12 it’s also an affordable way to update your living space. Or invest in some classic key pieces which will hold their value and look great in any home.
“Any piece you purchase will be an investment and will go a long way to making your home look fantastic to potential buyers” she says.
4. Allow natural light in
Ideally, your living room should be filled with natural light. Picture: Getty
While having a darker room with dimmed lamps and candles may seem cosy for an inviting living space, you’ll be better off having your living rooom as light and bright as possible when selling.
The brightness of a room opens up the space and makes it appear larger.
So open all the blinds to maximise the natural light in your living room.
5. Increase the wattage of lamps
To make your living room the brightest it can be on a dark day, turn all lights on during home opens.
And to ensure the best lighting, change all light globes over to the highest wattage possible to really brighten up your living room.
