“Give your home the ‘wow’ factor!”
We’ve all heard this advice from property experts, but what does it really mean? And how do you do it? Most importantly, is it worth the time and effort it may cost you to ‘wow’ your buyers?
All good questions, and the answers will be revealed in this article – so let’s dive in…
“What is a ‘wow’ factor anyway?”
You will usually ‘feel’ it when you walk in to a home or a room. It’s that elusive magic ingredient that turns a home from standard to exceptional; from forgettable to unforgettable; from ‘meh’ to ‘wow!!’
“Ok I get that, but how do I create it in my home?”
Sometimes it’s as simple as adding a lifestyle touch to your kitchen, with a freshly baked cake or loaf of bread on the side.
Or you may need to spruce up a room by refreshing the décor with contemporary cushions, new furniture placement (or rearrangement) and some styling touches like flowers, magazines or candles.
Bedrooms can be forgotten and unloved, especially if they’re rarely used like spare rooms, so give them a new lease of life and treat them to some new bedding, a luxurious throw and even some new artwork for the walls. It’s amazing what a little splash of colour can do to a room.
“I don’t have the time and money on styling my home and I’ve been told it will sell quickly anyway.”
As I write this, I think there is a lot mixed messages in the property market. Some homes are selling fast, and often over the asking price, while others feel like they’ve been on for weeks. But while you hear the inevitable “your home will sell quickly” from a lot of Estate Agents, making you think you don’t need to do any of this, no matter the market condition, spending a little T.L.C. on your home to make it even more appealing is a smart move for two reasons:
1. When the market turns, your home is more likely to stand out for all the right reasons, and
2. Even in a sellers’ market, you need to be confident you’re not leaving any money on the table, and losing out to competitive homes just because they are more attractively styled.
As you can see, styling a home doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive, and adding the ‘wow’ factor to your home could be simple and quicker than you might think. If you’re feeling inspired and keen to get started, I’ve compiled a list of 10 simple ways to wow your buyers. Let’s go!
1. Make a bold statement
To create that ‘wow’ factor, add a statement piece to the entrance of your home. A large photographic print, original artwork or over-sized vase will instantly capture attention, grab your potential buyer’s interest and make them want to see more.
2. Showcase your best spaces
To make a room feel large and open, moving or even removing unnecessary furniture will simplify it. This helps your buyers make up their minds and imagine how it could look with their furniture in the room. Buyers find it difficult to see past what’s there, and envision your home’s potential when rooms are full of furniture.
3. Romance your buyers
Soft lamps, candles gently flickering, a crackling fire and subtle background music. Think date night. These not only set the scene for a romantic date, but also work wonders for a successful viewing. Buyers buy with their hearts, not their heads, so appealing to their softer side and stirring emotions will make sure they leave wanting more!
4. Create a culinary experience
If you’re anything like me, you may consider yourself a bit of a budding chef – I certainly watch enough MasterChef and Bake-off to give that impression. So why not create a mouth-watering experience for your buyers as they step into your kitchen? Try an Ottolenghi cookbook, casually open on the side, with some posh cookware and even posher ingredients to create the impression that culinary magic is about to happen.
5. Play it safe in the bedrooms
Even if you love bold colours, when you’re selling your home, you need to pander to a buyer’s tastes, rather than your own. So, keep bedrooms light, simple and somewhere relaxing to escape too. Crisp white bedding with plump pillows, perhaps dressed with a throw and some cushions in a subtle shade will give your bedrooms the hotel vibe a buyer will love.
6. Set the table
Do you have a favourite dinnerware that rarely sees the light of day? Here’s your opportunity to dust it off and make good use of it. If you don’t want to go full silver service, just add placemats, plates and glasses for an understated look. Add a stunning floral centrepiece and your buyers will be flocking to the table to sit.
7. Add splashes of colour sparingly and subtly
If you’ve neutralised your home so much it looks bland and maybe a bit boring, it’s time to add some colour. The safest way to add interest is with soft furnishings like rugs, cushions and throws as these all add colour and warmth and can really help co-ordinate a room. If you’re not sure what colours might work, look at your favourite high street stores, and websites like pinterest for inspiration.
8. Mirrors instantly make rooms feel bigger and brighter
If you have any dark corners, mirrors are a great way to bounce that light around your home. Try hanging one instead of a picture over a fireplace or above a sideboard. Mirrors are great at making narrow spaces like hallways and landings look wider and really help open up the space. They’re also great for transforming a tiny bathroom to give the impression it’s larger than it is. Pepperbox Interiors in Cuckfield is one of my favourite places to look for inspiration and have some lovely options.
9. Boutique hotel bathrooms
Imagine your favourite bathroom, in your favourite hotel and try to recreate that where possible. Tidy away the products you use every day – toothbrushes, toilet cleaner etc – and make sure your sanitary ware is sparkling. Add a set of fresh white towels and luxurious toiletries (Jo Malone or The White Company), a room diffuser and a couple of pretty plants, and you’ll be ready to show off your bathroom.
10. Bring your doorstep to life
What’s one of the first things you see – the front door. Plain styles tend to work best for contemporary homes, whereas if you have a period home, a red or navy front door can look classically smart. By adding bay trees or shaped conifers really completes the look. If you’re struggling for inspiration, take a walk to see if any of your neighbours front doors are appealing to you.
Bonus tip! Make the fireplace a focal point
What is it about fire that we just can’t take are eyes off? Fireplaces are certainly an attractive selling feature, so make the most of it if you’re lucky enough to have one. If you have a working fireplace, make sure the hearth is clean, the fire is always laid and you have a lovely store of logs beside it, ready to light for viewings. If you can’t or don’t want to light a real fire every time someone comes round, why not position a selection of candles in there instead? That can look really pretty, and even if there’s no actual heat, the flames will give the illusion of warmth.
As you can see, I’m a big fan of styling a home to really wow buyers! The feedback I’ve received over the years tends to support this as well. If you spend a little bit of time and effort styling your home, the buyers will fall head over heels for it.
If you’d like a complimentary consultation on how your home could benefit from being styled – either a little or a lot – I’d love to share some ideas with you too! Just call me on 07962 306496 or email info@carrollproperty.co.uk and we’ll have your home wowing buyers in no time.
If you’re still unsure, why not read Planning to sell your home? Read our 10-step guide to a achieving a successful sale in 2023 for further advice and handy tips.