While your property’s size, location and on-site amenities are crucial in influencing buyer decisions, these are default features you would have little or no control over when pushing for a sale. However, how you showcase the interiors of your home is entirely in your hands and the right or wrong approach can make or break a deal.
Whether worrying about over-personalising or keeping it too bare and uninspiring, deciding on these critical factors when listing your property is difficult, and there’s a lot of room for error. As a leading furniture and interior expert in London, we have helped thousands of homeowners, developers and landlords strike the right balance between style and functionality, leading to quick and successful property sales and lettings.
So, let’s look at some common mistakes sellers make when pitching their properties to discerning buyers and what they can do to help their cause.
1. Over or under-accessorising home interiors
If your home is to tell a story, its accessories are the characters of that story, and while too many characters create chaos, having very few or none can diminish its depth. Many sellers think providing a blank canvas is the best way to attract buyers by allowing them to envision their belongings in the space.
However, such an approach can be as counterproductive as overstuffing your property with knick-knacks, as both are extremes of the same spectrum. The sweet spot is always in creating the right balance, and this is how you can do it.
i. Swap personal items for universal appeal
While buyers are not simply looking to copy-paste your lifestyle, inspiring elements like a dedicated bar counter or coffee station, a cosy reading corner and work setup, and an elegant bathroom are essential.
ii. Keep things simple and minimalistic
Elements like chic vases, beautiful throw cushions, decorative wind chimes and scented candles appeal to different senses and showcase the tasteful touches added to your space.
2. Restrictive or obstructing furniture layouts
While furniture should add utility value to your residence, it shouldn’t encroach on valuable floor space. Bulky sofas unfit for the size of the room or chairs that block access within or between rooms are more of an obstruction than an asset. Here are some tips for better-organising furniture layouts and selecting the right furniture.
i. Keep pathways clear
Make sure potential buyers who come to view your property can navigate easily without having to sidestep furniture. You can achieve this by opting for made-to-measure furniture pieces that perfectly align with your property’s physical specifications.
ii. Serving a purpose
Extra furniture eats up usable space and is often considered a white elephant. Whether it’s for dining, relaxing, storing or entertainment, every furniture item should be able to define its purpose for being in your home.
3. Dull lighting that hinders visual appeal
Dull, outdated fixtures or glaring overhead lights can make your home feel less welcoming. It’s an injustice to your presentation if you’ve kept your property in good condition with the latest appliances and expensive decor but haven’t added the finishing touches to ensure the right amount of light elevates the overall visual appeal. Here’s how you can get it right with light.
i. Use natural light effectively
Keep your windows sparkling clean, and choose sheer curtains to let in as much daylight as possible. Naturally lit spaces photograph better and can make rooms look bigger and brighter.
ii. Add layered lighting
Whether for work or play, adding a mix of layered lighting, such as ambient, task, and accent lights, can set the right mood for the occasion you have in mind. Thoughtfully placed lamps and LED bulbs can help add some much-needed warmth to intimate areas of the house.
Conclusion
If you plan to sell or let your property soon and want to maximise its appeal to potential buyers during viewings, avoid these mistakes. Always prioritise the right decor, colour themes, furniture layout and lighting. And if you don’t have the time or expertise, at InStyle Direct, we have a team of expert in-house designers and professionals who can help you create stunning interiors that create an instant impression.
We offer a range of services under one roof, from high-quality, affordable furniture packs (with add-on window dressings) to full-scale, bespoke transformations. Contact us if you have a London property that needs to be ready for a quick sale or rental.
