When putting your house on the market, you of course want it to look its best so buyers or tenants see the potential of the property. We spoke with local interior designer Darshana from Luv Designs, who has over 15 years of experience in the industry and shared some useful tips on how to stage a property.

1. Remember: It is not a museum

When selling a property sometimes vendors are very careful to make the property look neat and tidy. Although there is nothing wrong with this, it is important to remember that it is a house you are selling and not a museum. Presenting a house that is tidy, but still feels homely and lived in is therefore the ideal situation. To create a neat home, do not take homely elements away and try to keep welcoming elements such as flowers and candles in the room to create almost like a boutique hotel feeling.

1. Declutter

First things first, moving house is a great moment to start decluttering all the rooms so you are organised for your own move as well as viewings in your property. Most people find downsizing the hardest move as it requires a large clearout, and getting used to a space that is a lot smaller. Being strict and looking at what you do and do not need helps not only your own move but also the overall feel of a property when presented nice and neat. This also helps with showing the spaces in the best way.

1. Furniture 

Sometimes properties are being shown unfurnished, especially with rental properties or newbuilds which are not staged, which can make it harder to visualise the possibilities of the space. In addition it can make it a bit more difficult for a buyer to imagine themselves living there. An overall tip would be to keep the property furnished where possible. It also helps to keep welcoming elements in the room such as simple accessories like books, a throw or a decorative object to make the property feel lived in and create that homely atmosphere. 

1. Keep character

When moving house yourself, Darshana recommends keeping elements and or furniture of your old house, as this adds character. When downsizing this might be hard as the furniture can be too big for example, but with simple changes or alterations you might be able to make it work. She often changes fabrics and materials, giving new life to old furniture or keeping the character and style of interior items while using it in a completely different way.

1. Lamps

Lastly, to create the right mood in a home, good lighting is key. Usually especially in normally darker corners is the perfect place to have some additional lightning to create an inviting atmosphere. Having lights and for example music on in a property always helps set the right mood for a viewing.

Taking away from these tips, most importantly when staging your property is creating an inviting, homely atmosphere. It also helps when interiors match exteriors so it blends nicely and you know what you can expect when walking inside. If you are working with a blank canvas, try keeping the interiors neutral, as you can add colour and personal touches with accessories and decorations. A neutral colour palette in general appeals to more people which can help selling a property.

For any interior design enquiries please contact Darshana Gangani from Luv Designs Ltd via darshana@luvdesigns.co.uk