Property stager reveals tweaks that may add 1000’s to deal with worth
A property stager has revealed how homeowners can add tens of thousands of pounds to their property’s value without the need for costly renovations.
Liv Conlon, 25, originally from Glasgow but who now lives in Marbella, is the CEO of ThePropertyStagers, which furnishes more than 300 homes a year to make them more appealing to potential buyers.
Speaking to FEMAIL, she reveals her clients have often sold their property for £30,000 higher than the guide price.
As a seasoned property stager, Liv understands the importance of creating welcoming and visually appealing spaces to maximise the value of a home by focusing on small but impactful changes.
Here, she reveals the eight tiny tweaks that can make a big difference in showcasing your home in the best light:
CREATE A FOCAL POINT
ADDED VALUE: £10,000
This room didn’t have a focal point, so Liv decided to place a console table, lamp and statement piece of art
If your room doesn’t have a focal point, such as a fireplace, buyers don’t know where to look or centre their attention. Bare or badly decorated rooms create an uneasy and directionless viewing.
As a homeowner, you want to draw attention and create a sense of balance and harmony in the spaces – so the viewer feels as though the property is aspirational, and they can imagine living there.
You need to identify a focal point in each room, but if you don’t have one (and don’t want to make any structural changes) use a piece of artwork, or a statement piece of furniture.
PULL FURNITURE OUT FROM WALLS
ADDED VALUE: £2,000
This is an example of a large space with a centralised living and conversation area
Most people push all of their furniture against the walls, but doing this makes a room feel like a hallway or a viewing gallery rather than a space to socialise in with your family.
Instead of doing this, create cosy conversation areas by pulling furniture away from the walls (especially if you’re in a large space) or if in a smaller room, have your central furniture piece against the wall and centre all other pieces around it.
This arrangement promotes better flow and makes the room feel more inviting and spacious.
TOUCH UP PAINT
ADDED VALUE: £5,000
Liv (pictured), 25, is the CEO of ThePropertyStagers, which furnishes more than 300 homes a year to make them more appealing to potential buyers
Scuffed walls from chaotic family life can make a property look run down and leave a little essence of the owner of the property, making it harder for a viewer to feel as if this could be their new home.
Giving your walls a touch up can help to conceal minor marks such as scuffs and scratches.
Afterwards, your home will look well-maintained and cared for, rather than rundown and unloved.
It also creates a brilliant first impression, and potentially increases its perceived value to buyers.
Touching up paint around your home before putting it on the market often involves using neutral colours, which can make the home more appealing to a broader range of buyers.
Neutral tones provide a blank canvas that allows potential buyers to envision their own style in the space.
ADD RUGS TO WARM UP THE SPACE
ADDED VALUE: £2,000
‘Incorporate rugs to define separate areas within a room and add warmth and texture’, said Liv
Incorporate area rugs to define separate areas within a room and add warmth and texture.
You can utilise this hack in larger rooms with various purposes, such as an open-plan living and kitchen space, or make ‘forgotten’ rooms in the home, feel more inviting, like a utility room or a hallway.
Rugs can tie together the design elements (especially through colour and texture) in a space while providing a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
They can also significantly reduce noise levels by absorbing sound – a quieter home is always more appealing to buyers.
And you can use them to protect flooring from wear and tear, which is an attractive feature for potential buyers who are looking for a well-maintained property.
INVEST IN WHITE BEDDING
ADDED VALUE: £2,000
‘Hotels have white bedding for a reason, as it exudes luxury and cleanliness, and it immediately puts a viewer at ease as they tour what is commonly felt to be a very personal space’, said Liv
Hotels have white bedding for a reason, as it exudes luxury and cleanliness, and it immediately puts a viewer at ease as they tour what is commonly felt to be a very personal space.
Patterned bedding adds too much personalisation to a space and instantly looks messier and less inviting.
Instead invest in high-quality white linens that look crisp and convey a sense of cleanliness and creates a serene and inviting oasis that appeals to buyers seeking a tranquil retreat.
This versatility allows potential buyers to easily envision their own décor in the space. You can add colour through cushions and a textured throw.
REPLACE TIRED SOFT FURNISHINGS
ADDED VALUE: £2,000
‘Limp, bobbled cushions don’t exude luxury, but instead leave a home looking tired, and not looked after properly,’ warned the expert
Limp, bobbled cushions don’t exude luxury, but instead leave a home looking tired, and not looked after properly.
Update tired or worn soft furnishings such as throw pillows, curtains, and upholstery to breathe new life into your home.
Choose fabrics and textures that complement the overall aesthetic of the space and enhance its appeal.
The rule with soft furnishings is to use them in pairs of two or three and vary them in size.
Add synthetic feather inserts to achieve our signature cushion chop. If you want to add value to your home, it’s all about creating a luxurious vibe.
ADD MIRRORS
ADDED VALUE: £3,000
‘Strategically place mirrors on the walls of your home to reflect light and create the illusion of more space – this in turn creates a much more luxurious feel,’ added Liv
Strategically place mirrors on the walls of your home to reflect light and create the illusion of more space – this in turn creates a much more luxurious feel.
Mirrors can brighten dark corners, visually expand rooms, and add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your home.
Particularly if a room is feeling tired, a metallic mirror (opt for gold for luxury) will add an instant touch of glamour. And that shows viewers the home is well loved, and somewhere they would want to live.
It doesn’t have to be an expensive option, you can also group smaller mirrors together to add a ‘designer touch’.
CURATE ACCESSORIES THOUGHTFULLY
ADDED VALUE: £2,000
‘All coffee tables, console tables and kitchen worktops should be styled, not cluttered with day-to-day items especially when you have people viewing your home,’ explained the expert
If an item can be used, it shouldn’t make the surface. For example, all coffee tables, console tables and kitchen worktops should be styled, not cluttered with day-to-day items especially when you have people viewing your home.
Carefully select and place accessories that enhance the style and ambiance of your home.
Remove clutter and items that are not aesthetically pleasing, and focus on showcasing a curated collection of décor pieces that complement the overall design scheme.
Purchase either decorative storage to place in the room or stackable storage that can be placed in a wardrobe to remove any clutter but still be accessible.
