For potential homebuyers, one of the most important things to look for in a new property is plenty of space. Even when restrained by their budget, homebuyers typically look for ways to find a property in their price range that offers as much space as possible. Perhaps they want space to spread out if they plan a family further down the line, or maybe they just want to upgrade to a home with more storage space – but for many buyers, the size of the property plays a significant part in the decision to purchase a home.
But if you’re looking to sell a home that’s on the smaller side, don’t be disheartened. There are plenty of ways to create the illusion of space and make your home appear bigger than it actually is. By doing so, you can often find it is possible to speed up the sale of your home even if it’s quite small. Here are 5 tips for making your house look bigger for a quick sale.
Choose light colours
In small spaces, the use of dark colours can actually make the area feel more closed in. Dark paints, wallpapers and fabrics on furniture are typically not the best option if you want to make a space feel bigger, as these types of colours and materials/textures will actually have the reverse effect.
Instead, choose light colours that create an airy atmosphere in the space. Neutrals like white, beige, light grey and other pale or pastel shades help reflect light -natural or otherwise. This creates the illusion of more space in the room. If you currently have a lot of dark colours in your home, this can be easily remedied with a few coats of paint or slipcovers for large pieces of furniture like sofas.
Choose smaller furniture
Furniture tends to take up a great deal of space in the home, which can play a large part in making a space feel smaller. One of the best ways to combat this issue is to choose furniture that doesn’t take up as much space. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should avoid having a sofa in your lounge or a large bed in your bedroom.
Instead, for sofas, avoid items that are overstuffed and substitute with more streamline pieces. Choosing sofas that have legs can also make a space feel bigger, as the furniture is not going straight down to the floor. In the bedroom, a great way to create the illusion of space is with a headboard that allows light to shine through, such as with a slatted headboard, as opposed to a solid wood or fabric one. You can often find second-hand products that you can use to stage your home while it is up for sale. This way you don’t have to spend a great deal of money on smaller furniture.
Only keep what’s essential
In addition to choosing smaller furniture, having less furniture in a space is always an option. This can also be said for other non-essential items in your home that you don’t need. Something that many people find helpful when selling a home is to declutter. Potential homebuyers are likely to investigate storage when touring your home, so making sure your cupboards aren’t bursting with items helps to make it seem like there’s more storage space than there actually is.
Of course, there will be some items you don’t want to part with just for the sake of selling your home quickly, like furniture, keepsakes and winter wardrobes. Utilising a self-storage unit while your home is for sale is a great way to get rid of items that can clutter up your home and make it feel smaller.
Create the illusion of space with light
More light in a space makes the space feel larger than it actually is. Learning to manipulate the light in a space can make a big difference in how large the area feels. The most effective way to bring more light into a space is with more or larger windows, but this is not the only option you have and is probably unrealistic if you’re looking to sell.
To bring more light into your home, reflective surfaces are the best and most cost-effective option. Replacing artwork with mirrors can go a long way in making a space feel larger, as they reflect light around the room, making it feel brighter and therefore as if there’s actually more space than there really is. Reflective decorative items such as glass vases, glass lamp shades and reflective accent metals are just a few other examples of ways to create the illusion of space with light.
Elongate the walls
Making your ceilings seem higher is another way to give a room the illusion of more space. To begin with, ceilings should always be painted light to help make a room feel bigger. Dark ceilings can be trendy and very effective in making a space “pop”, but often it can make a small space feel smaller.
Other ways you can make your ceilings feel higher include using floor-to-ceiling curtains on windows or using tall and narrow pieces of art to decorate the walls. Floor-to-ceiling curtains create a dramatic effect which immediately seems to stretch the walls of the room. Delicate, narrow art can also help make a room feel larger rather than it is, as opposed to large square or rectangular prints or canvases which can have the opposite effect.
Making just a few simple changes around your home can have a big impact and be very helpful in making it feel larger so that viewers and potential buyers do not feel put off by a lack of space. By presenting a home that is light and airy and not overcluttered with furniture or personal items, you can help your home sell more quickly.
