In the competitive world of property, giving your home that extra something can make all the difference in attracting potential buyers or tenants. With the UK housing market slower than in previous years, this rule is even more important.
Whether you’re looking to sell, rent, or are undecided and simply want to enhance the look or energy-efficiency of your home, there are numerous strategies you can employ to add and showcase some redeeming features. This might mean making a dull kitchen look brand new or upgrading living areas with small cosmetic updates for an instant ‘facelift’. Whatever works best for your home, here are some inspiring ideas to ensure your property stands out.
First Impressions
With spring arguably the most popular time for people to put their homes on the market, you’ll already be thinking about ways to smarten up your property’s interiors and outside areas. First impressions do count and despite the cliche, this applies to your property viewings too. Great kerb appeal will help to attract interest in your property in a competitive market and captivate potential buyers.
In order to make that first impression matter, do some quick fixes early on to impress your estate agent when they walk through the door. Improving the presentation of your property from the word go will help you achieve the best, realistic valuation from the agent appraising your property. You can also use this first appointment to gain advice and their professional insight on simple tricks and changes you can use to enhance your property, to ensure any marketing photos and videos help to make your property look its best.
Make it Presentable
In order to wow visitors early on, making your home as presentable as possible is key. Even if you don’t have time, there are some simple tricks to make your property dazzle. Consider repainting the front door with bold, inviting colours, decluttering every room in your home and accessorising with cushions, vases or pretty ornaments inside and out.
When someone arrives at your home to view it for the first or second time, you will want the exterior of the property and its surrounding garden, communal areas in a flat or pavements and driveway to all appear well-maintained and tidy. For instance, sweep the path, mow your grass and pop a few hanging baskets or a planted tub out the front to make it look prettier.
Light Up and Open Up Spaces
Proper lighting can transform the ambiance of any space. Install contemporary light fixtures both indoors and outdoors to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Additionally, strategically placed accent lighting can highlight architectural features or focal points, adding visual interest to your property.
Creating light, open spaces within your home is a great way of enhancing the presentation of your property. If you’re able to consider small structural changes, knocking down an internal wall can create a more open-concept layout without needing to extend your property, improving the flow of natural light and maximising space. Open-plan living areas are highly desirable among modern homebuyers, as they promote connectivity and facilitate social interactions.
Rejuvenate Outside Space
In today’s busy world, outdoor living spaces are increasingly sought after. So, creating the perfect outdoor oasis is worth a little time and consideration. Garden design can involve many elements such as calming and visually interesting water features, or going to town with landscaping by creating extra flower beds or investing in more potted plants. Lighting features can similarly be added for evening enjoyment and showcasing key garden elements.
Patios and deck areas allow you to create entertaining and cosy zones with comfortable seating and maybe the addition of a fire pit. You may take functionality a step further by including a barbecue area, or an outdoor kitchen that will extend the usable space and create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living areas.
Upgrade Kitchen and Bathrooms
There is a lot of truth in the fact that the look of your kitchen and bathroom matters to visitors, with these particular rooms being key selling points in any home. If you are selling up or staying put, having an outdated kitchen or old-fashioned bathrooms are deemed the ‘biggest problem areas of homes’ according to reports.
So, if you are guilty, improving a kitchen and bathroom might inspire even the most DIY-shy person to pick up their tools and paint brushes! Invest in high-quality finishes, such as granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and modern fixtures, to give these spaces a luxurious feel. Consider refacing cabinets or adding a fresh coat of paint to breathe new life into tired interiors.
Add Smart Home Technology
Incorporating smart home technology and great home gadgets not only make some jobs easier around the home, but they can also add a touch of modernity and trendiness to your property. If you need to declutter and keep on top of housework, there are gadgets to help keep your home in order and make chores a lot less time-consuming.
With increasing awareness of environmental issues, energy efficiency has become a top priority for many homebuyers. The UK’s higher cost-of-living might already be testing your monthly budget and energy-efficient appliances can monitor and keep track of how much you’re spending on energy around the home. By upgrading window, door and loft insulation, you’ll also do well to lower utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint. However, smart thermostats and lighting systems can help to transform the eco-benefits across your property.
Highlighting these eco-friendly and tech features can attract environmentally-conscious buyers, add value to your property and improve energy efficiency. Meanwhile, if you install tech to strengthen your home’s security inside and outdoors by deploying high-tech cameras and smart doorbell systems, these can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps for a greater peace of mind.
Beautifully Stage Your Property
Finally, consider hiring a professional stager to showcase your property in the best possible light. Staging involves strategically arranging furniture, accessories and artwork to highlight the home’s features and create an inviting atmosphere that resonates with potential buyers. Professional staging can significantly increase the value of your property and help it stand out in a crowded market.
In addition, by creating statement walls across your home will instantly impress visitors and viewers. Make a bold statement with an accent wall painted in a striking colour or adorned with eye-catching wallpaper. This simple yet effective design element can add personality and charm to any room, serving as a focal point that draws attention and leaves a lasting impression.
Sprucing up your property to give it a winning edge requires a combination of strategic upgrades, aesthetic enhancements and thoughtful design choices. By implementing these inspiring ideas, you can showcase your home’s most redeeming features,learn to love your space more or enhance its appeal and value to potential buyers or tenants. Whether you’re looking to sell, rent, or simply elevate your living space, these tips can help you achieve your goals and maximise the potential of your property.
