SARAH’S TIPS FOR GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR HOME
We ask what we can do to improve our space.
What small things can we do to add value to our homes?
Clean – especially the windows – which will make a huge difference. Focus on the kitchen or bathroom, ideally both. Many buyers would prefer these rooms
‘ready made’. Do any work properly – make sure the roof is watertight and guttering clear.
What quick fixes could we do in a weekend? Make the most of your hallway. Fill it with photos, pictures or book cases and, if you have space, a little chair with a light. By the end of the weekend you’ll have an extra room without having to extend.
If we’re selling, what can we do to entice buyers? Make it feel like a home not a show home. You don’t need to lay the table with your entire collection of crockery and cutlery, but a bowl of fruit and some flowers make a big difference, as does filling the house with as many plants as you can. Don’t follow a buyer around talking endlessly about what you have done or explaining what everything is. Stay back and allow them to imagine themselves in the space. I think a home and its owner is like finding the right relationship or job: it’s a two way thing. But when the fit is right, it’s perfect.
What things should we not be afraid of doing when it comes to DIY? Decorating is easy, but remember 90% of decorating is in the preparation. Don’t be afraid of wallpapering, though nowadays there are so many different types of wallpaper, read the labels to check if you need to soak it. Have the courage to embark on a bit of joinery – the more you use a drill or a circular saw, the more confident you’ll get. Start with some easy shelves or pop up a picture and before you know it you’ll be making things!
As many of us are now working from home, what are the easiest things we can do to make our spaces nice? Don’t set your sights too high in terms of what you can achieve. Focus on one room and slowly make improvements, then you’ll be pleased with the results and be able to enjoy them more on a day-to-day basis.