Laing and Simmons

101 TIPS 5 Stairways Stairways should provide an attractive transition from one level of your home to another. 54 Make sure the stairs are safe! Stair lighting should be more than adequate, and the stairs must be free of clutter. Ensure stair railings are tight and secure and that the runner or carpeting is tacked securely. Check the condition of the walls—re-paint or wallpaper as necessary. 55 If the stairs are a main focal point of the living area, carefully choose accents to improve its visual appeal. Consider emphasising your stairway as a feature by hanging a few pictures along the wall. Draw attention to a feature light fitting by cleaning it to make it sparkle. Living areas Think of these areas as furniture showrooms. Add touches that make a room look truly inviting. 56 Sweep and clean the fireplace if you have one. Place a few logs on the grate to create an attractive appearance. You are welcome to have a fire going for showing during the winter months - it creates a great atmosphere. 57 Dress up a mantelpiece, but don’t make it look too cluttered. 58 Improve the traffic flow by removing excess furniture. 59 Remove oversized television sets if they dominate the room. If necessary, substitute your television with a smaller one until you move. 60 Draw attention to exposed beams or a cathedral ceiling with special lighting. Be sure to remove any cobwebs and dust. 61 In the heat of summer, place a bowl of lemons or limes on a bench or table to provide a fresh, pleasant aroma. 62 Clean and organise all storage space. If your cabinets, drawers and cupboards are crowded and overflowing, buyers will assume your storage space is inadequate. Give away items you don’t use, store seldom-used items elsewhere and re-organise the shelves. Tidy, organised shelves and drawers appear larger and more adequate for a prospective buyer’s needs. 63 Large kitchen windows should be highlighted as a feature of your home. Take a critical look at the window treatment—is it clean, sharp and up-to-date? Do the curtains need washing or the blinds need cleaning? Would the window area look better without any treatment? 64 Identify any dark corners or areas and invest in a decorative floor lamp to instantly create a warm and inviting space. Dining room Like the living areas, your dining room should be an inviting part of your home and a room in which prospective buyers can imagine sharing a meal with family and friends. 65 Visually enlarge a small dining room. If your dining table extends, consider leaving it unextended. You could even consider placing your dining table against a wall if you cannot move around it with ease. 66 Remove any extra chairs. Consider putting oversized pieces in storage until your property sells. 67 Set the table for an informal meal and add an attractive centrepiece arrangement, such as fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit. Clean clutter free that’s the aim