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Selling Your House: The Bedroom

The bedroom is likely to be the biggest single room in your house, and for that reason, it pays to make the most of it. Buyers will want an area where they can see themselves enjoying their downtime in comfort and peace.

Make sure the whole room is clean and tidy prior to any viewings; this seems an obvious move but one which is overlooked by many sellers. Remember this may be the only opportunity for the potential buyer to see the room.

The focal point of any bedroom should be the bed, so pile it high with cushions and pillows to create a soft and inviting environment. The viewer should be able to imagine themselves enjoying the room in the future.

The next priority is storage. Built in cupboards and wardrobes are a big plus as they free up space elsewhere in the room for other furniture and walkways. Those not fortunate enough to have built in storage can make the most of old wardrobes simply with a coat of eggshell paint. This is an easy and cheap way to rejuvenate your old furniture.

Here are some more simple tips and hints to maximise your selling potential:

Try to have a double bed in the room, in an estate agents mind it then becomes a double bedroom. It may just tick another box for those browsing the market.

Do not place the long side of the bed against a wall. A bed should have three sides of access, otherwise it will feel claustrophobic and it will be difficult to make the bed.
If the view from the window is good then have the bed facing towards that window and exploit nature’s gifts.

Bedside tables are essential in a well presented bedroom but be careful not to clutter them up. Take any cups or glasses down to the kitchen, wipe away any grimy marks and just furnish with a lamp, book or even a treasured personal belonging to give the room a friendly and inviting atmosphere.

Talking of books, lots of people love to read in bed so reading lights or bedside lights are very popular. Those with switches operated from the bed are especially attractive.

Do not forget to tidy inside cupboards. Buyers will not be shy of having a peek inside. A well ordered storage space will give the impression that the seller is an organised person, and as such is likely to have taken good care of the house.

Staying with storage, utilise the space underneath your bed. Cheap plastic storage containers are great to hide clutter in and will further reinforce the impression of an organised, responsible seller. Do not be tempted to hang clothing or other items on the door hooks, to you it is useful, to the buyer it is messy. Remove the hooks if you cannot resist using them.

Never expect a potential buyer to imagine the room without your mess and clutter, pack away as much as possible so it is completely out of sight, the last thing you want is for the viewer to be distracted from your room’s positive points by a few stray pairs of socks or boxer shorts.

Flooring is an area not to be overlooked. If your carpet has seen better days then do not be afraid to discard it if there are decent floorboards underneath. A bit of effort in painting the floorboards can pay dividends; this is highly fashionable with the younger buyers. If your property is aimed at the more mature buyers then consider replacing the carpet but never underestimate the huge difference that tidy flooring can make.

Do you have a dressing table? Consider removing it temporarily. It is in essence an un-necessary use of space. And furthermore, will be seen by many as old fashioned and fussy.

On to décor, keep it neutral. As a seller you must remember that you are not aiming to please your own tastes. You need to cater for as wide a section of the market as possible to increase you selling appeal.

Use off-whites, creams and pale yellows, they have a much wider appeal than feminine pinks and lilacs. Bold colours will not aid your sell-ability.

Always hang a few mirrors and pictures, or you run the risk of the room looking cold and lifeless. A suitable picture will compliment the décor and mirrors will fill the room with light and give the impression of more space.

Avoid bright bed linen, your favourite colour is not going to be the favourite colour of every viewer. So instead try white linen, it brings a clean, fresh image to the room. Luxurious cushions are a nice touch and add a bit of style to the layout.

When looking for a light fitting, try something elegant. A basic chandelier is a great addition. Or maybe choose an up-lighter, it can take the focus away from the ugly bulb or ideally will hide it completely.

Try to make the bedroom warm when people come to view. A cold bedroom is a big turn off and such feelings stay with the viewer even after leaving the house. On the other hand the room should be well ventilated, so strike a good balance and be on to a winning formula.

Overall, those who make their bedroom appeal to the widest spectrum of buyers will invariably be those who enjoy the most success.

Do not expect viewers to adapt themselves to your tastes and needs. You must adapt your property to theirs.

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