If you’ve finally found that luxury home you’ve sought after for years, or maybe you’ve outgrown your current space, it’s time to get your property ready for the market. Most buyers in the upper-scale real estate market seek spaces that are modern and move-in ready; however, you also want a semi-blank canvas for them to add their own personal touches.
When home staging is done well, it can increase the value of your home by up to 10%, which can result in an additional £50,000 for a £500,000 home. To give you some inspiration, we discuss some high-end tips to help you stage your property to find a buyer willing to pay the maximum price.
Create sensory ambience throughout the home
While visual appeal should be a priority, you need to engage all the senses of whoever visits your property. Easily elevate your project through fragrances that promote relaxation and ensure a memorable experience. Scents should consist of clean, comforting scents such as citrus or woody aromas rather than something too heavy. Achieve this through the likes of lit scented candles in main spaces, reed diffusers in bathrooms and hallways, and plug-in diffusers in reception spaces or conservatories.
Maximise the natural light of your home using strategically placed mirrors directly opposite your windows. This will reflect light around the home, brightening even the darkest of corners and the dullest of walls. Swap out any existing bulbs from your lights for warm-toned LEDs and ensure there is layered lighting through the use of tripod lamps, dimmable spotlights, accent lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and table lamps. Aim for between 5 and 7 sources of lighting per room for the best depth.
Mask any external noise from outside or neighbours by using soft instrumental music or nature sounds. Additionally, appeal to gustatory senses through placing refreshments on countertops, such as bowls of fresh fruit or branded snacks. Indoor plants are also a great way of making rooms feel more zen, particularly Fiddle-Leaf Fig and Kentia Palm.
Ensure each room has its own purpose
It’s common for homeowners to use rooms for several uses, whether this is a spare bedroom as an office space or a conservatory as a washroom. However, it’s key when staging to revert all of your rooms to their intended purpose.
This means that if you are listing the property with five bedrooms, buyers must be able to see this during viewings. Also, move around furniture to highlight your open plan space if needed and define the function of both your living room and kitchen.
Tidy the front of the property
First impressions make a big difference in the world of real estate. A home that looks dated from the outside can often indicate the inside will also be neglected. Improve your kerb appeal by jet washing your front patio and paving, removing any weeds and investing in a few carefully selected flowerpots, painting the frame around your door, and hiding the bins around the corner.
Get in touch with a local window cleaner and have them polish the entire house, if you don’t already. If you have fencing or gates on the property, these should all look fresh, so a paint touch-up may be beneficial. If you don’t have a green thumb, a gardener can mow your lawn so it appears neat, and trim back any overgrown hedges and trees that could hide the beauty of the property or block natural light.
Invest in luxury touches
You don’t want to go overboard when designing the layout of your home when selling; remember, buyers need to be able to picture how they will organise the space. Before you start, remove any personal belongings, such as photos, toiletries, worn rugs, and clothing in busy areas, which can reduce appeal.
Purchase elegant textiles such as velvet cushions and cashmere throws for your furniture in neutral colours like grey or beige. You should also swap out existing bedding for something plush in neutral or white, almost mirroring a premier hotel room.
Bathrooms should be similar in appearance to that of a spa, with luxe branded products such as Rituals bath milk or a Jo Malone candle, and fresh white towels should be hung up or folded.
In the kitchen, consider replacing any kitchen hardware that looks outdated with brass or chrome handles that can elevate the space without the need for a complete renovation. Polished brass or matte black finishes on taps can also add to the premier feel of the kitchen without lengthy plumbing fixes.
On the walls, keep things classy and simple. Large-scale art pieces are the focal point here, making spaces feel larger and reducing visual clutter. High-end photography works best, particularly artwork of natural landscapes or those with texture. These should be around two-thirds of the width of the furniture below, and the frames should complement existing furniture in the home, such as marble or wood.
Prioritise a deep clean of the property
After years of living comfortably in a home, it’s common to find yourself with countless belongings and lots of clutter. In the world of high-end home staging, the only furniture that is required during viewings is custom-made furniture that adds value, such as fitted wardrobes or shelving, accent chairs, a solid wood coffee table and dining table, a plush sofa, beds, and a few high-tech kitchen gadgets. Anything else should be placed into storage.
Once the room is bare, you might notice flaws more easily. Even a few scuffed skirting boards, worn sealant, flaky wall paint, or chipped counters can greatly affect the value of your home. That’s why it’s vital to conduct a thorough deep clean of the property.
Start by cleaning your kitchen, since this is where the most mess will have accumulated, ensuring the oven is pristine and like brand-new. Remove the filters from your extractor fan and soak them in detergent to remove the grease, and air-dry before inserting them again. Empty your fridge and cabinets and clean everything thoroughly, throwing away anything that isn’t needed.
Next, move on to the bathroom, removing any built-up limescale on shower heads and taps with industrial-strength cleaning products. Tile grout should be clean or touched up with a paint pen, mirrors need to be polished, and toilets must be pristine. Consider new soft-closing seats for an easy yet luxurious touch.
Wipe down all skirting boards and door frames to remove scuffs from daily living and paint any areas that need a refresh, making sure to protect your carpets or flooring first. Once all of this has been achieved, you can finally focus on your flooring. Hard floors, such as laminate and wood, must be mopped and any stains removed, and carpets need to be steam cleaned to remove odours and wear and tear.
This can all seem like a lot of work, should your home be on the larger scale and you work a full-time job or have a family to look after. You can instead utilise local professional cleaners and handymen to quickly and efficiently sort these jobs for you, so you can focus on the aspects that matter.