3 things that date your home, and how to fix them!

If you’re listing your home for sale in Sydney, it’s worth considering small changes that will have a big impact on how your home looks, and ultimately your sale price. Fresh, contemporary features not only appeal to buyers, but also give the perception of a well-maintained and much loved property.  Below we look at three things that can date your interior, and how to breathe new life into your home, without a long, expensive reno!

Paint

Chips, scuffs and marks on the walls make your house look tired, as do outdated paint colours. While it’s a substantial job, especially if you have a large property, a fresh coat of paint is one of the most effective ways to update your home and many homeowners are blown away by the effect.

If your paintwork is just chipped or dirty, start with a thorough wash using sugar soap and then touch up as needed - you’ll be amazed by the difference it makes. 

As for paint colours, creamy, yellowy, beiges are best replaced for crisp whites with either warm or cool undertones. If you get a property stylist in early, they can help with your selection. 

While there’s definitely a place for bright and bold colours, they can be polarising, so our advice is to keep it neutral when you’re listing your property for sale. 

Some of our favourite whites:

Dulux Natural White: One of the most versatile whites, its subtle warmth works well with all interior schemes. 

Dulux Snowy Mountains Quarter: A very light and neutral crisp white with warm undertones. It's stunning on main interior walls and trims and ideal for a bright white look.

Dulux Lexicon Quarter: Is impressive in modern, open plan spaces. It has a cool, fresh appearance, particularly combined with contemporary furnishings. 

Lighting

Like old paintwork, dated or damaged light fittings will both age a room and deter potential buyers. Consider replacing fittings with contemporary options, it’s an easy and effective way to update and modernise your space. Keep it simple with colours that blend into your overall scheme. Natural, organic shapes will add a softness and fluidity to your interiors while structured fittings are modern and eye-catching. 

Create a layered lighting scheme using table and floor lamps, evoke a calm and welcoming atmosphere and set the mood. Prospective buyers are not just paying attention to how a home looks, but also how it makes them feel. 

Aside from the lighting aesthetic, ensure all lights are in working order and use warm coloured globes to further enhance the ambiance. 

Window treatments

There are so many different window treatments available. With different styles suited to different property types, so it can be tricky to know which ones are right for you. 

Vertical blinds, heavy curtains, dated fabrics, broken and discoloured blinds can make your home look drab. Generally speaking, when styling your home for sale, it’s best to choose something light, neutral and unobtrusive.

Sometimes, if your window treatments are in bad condition and no one’s living at the property during the sale campaign, you’re better off removing the curtains or blinds and having no window coverings at all. 

At Spatial we can’t go past sheer, white curtains in a natural fibre. Hung floor to ceiling, they exude understated elegance, allow for filtered light and are just so beautiful!

There are numerous tweaks you can make to your home to ensure it presents at its best for sale. A professional property stylist will view your home objectively and use their expertise to assess where the most impact can be made. If you get a stylist in as early as possible, they’ll be able to suggest some simple updates as well the right furniture and accessories to use. 

At Spatial, we love transforming homes for sale and the results speak for us. Sydney’s top real estate agents choose us time and time again, and homeowners achieve prices they never thought possible. To organise a free consultation, please contact us on 9417 7193 or studio@spatialpropertystyling.com.au. We’d love to hear from you!