Selling a home or not: Ideas for refreshing your living space
I remember someone once remarked that sometimes we only update things in our homes when we are about to let them go. Why wait to make things great in my home if I don't have time to enjoy it myself? So whether or not you are thinking of selling your home, here are some quick ideas to freshen your home for yourself! (or a potential buyer)
First things first: De-clutter.
Simplicity. It gives peace of mind and truly relieves stress. Think of reducing those filled spaces in your home by half. Half-empty closets and cabinets will give the feeling of openness with lots of storage. This applies to furniture as well. Remove extra side tables and wall hangings. Less, as they say, is more.
Light it up!
Replace your light bulbs with higher wattage, and replace lampshades with new, clean and lighter ones. Clean drapes or consider removing them altogether and replacing them with white or pale colors. Trim outside bushes that are shading the windows.
Paint!
Paint is probably the cheapest and most effective way to improve the look of your home. Eyes are unconsciously drawn to imperfections. It's simple to touch up scuffed areas and putty up those little dings and holes in the walls and trim. Choose neutral colors that appeal to everyone. A simple touch-up over those worn areas can make them feel brand new.
Floors:
Clean the carpets. You may be considering recarpeting, but that can be expensive. Rather, add a rug to update a room or change the look.
Kitchen:
We spend most of our lives in the kitchen. Truly, homeowners tend to focus on this area. If your drawer pulls and handles are outdated, consider choosing new hardware. If your countertops are out of date, for just a few thousand, you can increase the value of your home by two to three times that amount. Consider painting the cabinets and replacing any broken or cracked tiles. This alone will be worth your time and effort. Clean the grout and de-grease the hood over the stove. It's these little details that you will feel, without necessarily noticing!
Make a good first impression: the outside
The “curb appeal” of your home is essential. A dirty and unswept porch sends a message before you enter a home. Plant new flowers and trim the bushes. Add new mulch for a fresh and clean look. Paint the front door and put a beautifully simple wreath to invite your guests. A little on the outside goes a long way long before anyone steps foot inside.
If you are selling, take yourself out of it:
If getting your home ready to sell, consider removing family portraits and pictures. The less a potential buyer sees of “you” in the home, the more they visualize making it “theirs.”
Showing:
Stage whenever possible. Keep a set of new white towels in the cabinet for the bathroom that is simply for show. Keep “decorations” in a tray in the closet that can easily be set out, and put away again for functional living. Keep an empty basket nearby to gather clutter quickly and take in the event of a short-notice showing. Turn on lights, open window coverings, and light a scented candle. Make sure everything is perfectly clean before you leave!
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