It's All About Space!

When getting our homes ready to sell, we sometimes get hung up on paint colors, furniture placement, and décor. But, buyers can repaint if they want to, and the furniture and décor generally leave with the seller. So, what are we really selling, and what is it that buyers really want? The answer is space.

 

Have you ever picked up a book and decided not to read it because the text was very condensed, and each chapter was a hundred pages long? Negative space is more important than we think. Our eyes need empty space to rest. The same thing goes for our homes, especially when selling. Many a buyer has walked away from a home because they didn’t believe there was enough space for their dining room set or king-sized bed. So, if space is our home’s best commodity, how can we play it up?

 

A good place to start is your floor space. Small rugs and mats scattered everywhere just clutter the floor, making rooms look smaller than they really are. You might like the convenience of having a table next to your chair to hold your drink, but having too many occasional tables takes up valuable floor space. Think about removing all but the tables which anchor your big pieces of furniture or hold lamps. Potted plants, ottomans, magazine racks, free standing lamps, and bulky coffee tables can also create a cluttered looking floor. There is a reason professional stagers use glass-topped tables. It allows buyers to see more floor.

 

Wall space also commands a premium with buyers. The more visible wall space there is, the higher the ceilings appear. Don’t be afraid to keep a couple walls in each room artwork-free. When choosing between a large piece of art and a grouping of several smaller pieces, go with one large one. Bathrooms, especially if they are small, don’t need anything more than a mirror over the vanity, and some neatly hung towels. Exposing wall space includes the windows. Heavy drapes which cover up wall and window will definitely close a room in. 

 

Walk through your own home, and evaluate the amount of space visible. If space is lacking in your home, it’s time to make some changes. The good news is it doesn’t cost anything to remove items, and you can only benefit when your home appears bigger to buyers.