Don’t Stop Decorating Your Current Home Yet

Are you anticipating a move? Are you planning to sell your house? Prepare to redecorate. And for good reasons.

Decorating changes you make to prepare your house for the real estate market can hasten its sale, increase the financial return and give you a head start on moving preparations.

A move means you face decorating adjustments in your present home as well as planning the personal décor for your new home. But decorating and accessorizing principles applied to market a house or condo differ from those applied when simply living in that same space.

In your present home, you need to depersonalize the décor and remove the stamp of your personal style. Instead of layering for warmth, a minimalist approach is recommended, which you’ll see in many model homes.

So gather your creative energy and decorating talents, shift into high gear and steer toward the goal of broadening the appeal of the home you are selling before you focus on your new residence.

Broaden the Appeal of Your Home

Of course, you want the showings of your property to be positive. How can you make that happen? Well, start by assisting potential buyers in picturing themselves owning and living in your house. Remove your family pictures, trophies, monogrammed articles and signs at the door with your name on it. These accessories all convey that you live here. The buyers need to see the house as a home for them.

Buyers also need your help to visualize the intended use for the rooms they are viewing. If your dining room is currently being used as an office, it’s time to turn it back to its intended use. Yes, home offices are a positive feature, but it is better to situate it in a smaller bedroom rather than offer a home with no dining room. This principle applies to all rooms that are currently being used in ways contrary to a standard floor plan.

Get Rid of Clutter

The next step is to reduce visual distractions. Collections of figurines, dolls, ducks and personal clutter may make you more comfortable living in your home, but they divert the buyer’s attention from where you really want it to be.

Adopt that minimalist style and start your packing process. This will encourage the buyers to focus on the positive features of the home rather than your possessions.

How do you bring attention to those positive features? Effective furniture placement is the simplest way. For example, to showcase your fireplace, the preferred arrangement would have your sofa and chairs flanking the sides of the fireplace rather than facing it directly. This will create a direct line of vision to this attractive element.

Next, open your fireplace screen and place greenery in the firebox to add depth and appeal. Creatively placed artwork can also enhance a focal point. Also, try positioning your plants and greenery near windows as it will help draw the outside in and visually enlarge the room. Use placement to show off all the dominant focal points. Remember to open your window treatments to allow maximum light as well as feature attractive views.

Knock! Knock! Who’s There?

Your front door is the most important place “in” your house. Buyers pause there the longest and gather clues as to what to expect inside. Entice them! Add healthy plants with bright color. Add a welcome mat that is new and fresh. Place a lovely, seasonal ornament on the door (which you have cleaned to a shine or applied fresh paint).

Do you have a porch? Add an inviting chair. First impressions count and this is an important spot that must be remembered and receive your best decorative touches.

The Most Bang for Your Decorating Buck

In many cases, investing a little decorating money when marketing a home is recommended. The best place to start is to freshen the paint on your walls. The impact on prospective buyers can be amazing. Choose a neutral paint color of ivory, beige or light taupe. Millwork and trim, if painted, should be a lighter shade to show some contrast.

Is your carpeting showing soil and wear? Sometimes professional cleaning and restoration will make a sufficient difference. However, does your rug color have broad appeal or does it make a strong personal statement? Consider installing new carpet. It is normally very cost effective.

Again, the color should be a neutral one that is in the same family as the wall paint. Coordinate color choices with any permanent surfaces in the home, such as tile floors or counter tops. If you are lucky enough to find hardwood floors under the carpet, restore them rather than recarpet. Hardwood floors definitely increase the value of the home.

If this whole process seems daunting, you can always reduce your anxiety and stress by hiring a professional, such as a real estate stager, to assist you.

Wendy Dilda, IADA, RES, is a professional interior arranger and owner of RealeStagers in San Antonio, Texas.