Easy Decorating Tips That Help Sell Your House
Buyers are emotionally drawn to homes that look modern and feel “warm” and inviting. Homes not only have to be clean, bright, and spacious, they also have to have new and updated touches to attract buyers. Here are some items to consider:
1. Slipcovers: If your home has old or patterned upholstery, seriously consider adding solid-color slipcovers to refresh and update it. Neutral colors are your best option.
2. Paint – A fresh coat of paint to cover up scarred walls or strong colors will go a long way in giving your home that “clean, light and bright” look.
3. Remove wallpaper: Wallpaper is generally too personal to attract buyers, unless it’s a neutral fabric. It’s best to remove the wallpaper and repaint the walls off-white, sage green, gray or beige, depending on current trends.
4. For marred or scratched kitchen cabinets/tabletops, use a wood finishing product like Restorzit to make them look like new again, without sanding or re-staining.
5. Get rid of those bathroom toilet seat covers and rugs that scream “grandma” and “germs.” Bathrooms should have white or ivory colored shower curtains and towels for a super clean look.
6. Use a standard window cleaner OR two teaspoons of vinegar in a quart of warm water to make windows shine.
7. If you can’t afford to replace outdated chandeliers and chandeliers, paint them with silver or bronze spray paint made for metal and add new white tones. You can also use a hot glue gun to add trim bands to the bottom of the blinds for a more elegant look. Another option is to hang magnetic beads from chandeliers.
8. Replace outdated switch plates with chrome or white.
9. Replace outdated towel bars and curtain rods. Wood and clear plastic curtain rods are obsolete.
10. Create an inexpensive designer look on a coffee table by filling hurricane vases or apothecary jars with polished stones, glass beads, colorful candies, or seasonal items like acorns, pinecones, or Christmas decorations. A grouping of three always pleasant looks.
11. If you don’t have a headboard in the master bedroom, create the look of one by hanging a large horizontal canvas or three square or rectangular canvases. Alternatively, make an inexpensive headboard by having a big box home store cut three panels out of 3/8″ plywood
18″ by 18″ (or two 30″ x 30″ panels) for a queen bed, then paint and hang on the wall. Black or dark brown paint/stain will give the appearance of a wood headboard.
12. MirrorMate frames are a great product for upgrading “construction standard” frameless bathroom mirrors.
13. Replace outdated brass hardware with chrome, brushed nickel or bronze faucets or knobs.
14. Organic Touches: Artificial plants, trees and flowers add real warmth and beauty to any space. If you have a green thumb, by all means go for the real ones. Pier One, HomeGoods, and Michael’s are great resources for fake flowers.
15. Bring trendy accessories like vases, fancy boxes, bowls with decorative balls, dark wicker baskets, white candles and candle holders, a new welcome mat and maybe some new cushions for chairs, sofas and beds.
16. Hang solid, light-colored curtains (or curtains with a color band that coordinates with another color in the room) in a fabric that suits the season: sheer, linen, or polyester (looks like silk for a lot less money) for the spring and summer, thick cotton for winter. Hang them at ceiling height when ceilings are typically 7 or 8 feet high, to visually “lengthen” the windows. Keep the curtains to one side to let in the most light and show off the view.
Buyers will now be drawn to the beauty of your home, remember it, and hopefully start bidding! Happy staging and selling!