4 tips to create space before an open home – Part 2

3) Connect with the outside world

With the right design, any outdoor space you do have can function as an extra room in the summer time. However, you’ve got to show your potential buyers how this could work. Set up the space as an outdoor dining area, or an extra lounge space so visitors can see how they’d make use it. Make sure it’s easy to access on the day, and visible from other areas of the property where possible, so no one misses it.

4) Remove clutter 

This is such an easy trick, you’d be crazy not to do it. Before an open home, blitz all your surfaces and remove anything that doesn’t need to be on show. This shows how much space your property offers, and prevents buyers from feeling like they’ll never be able to fit all their own stuff in. Pay special attention to removing:

• Stationery pots and paper pads cluttering up surfaces in various rooms.
• Unnecessary kitchen items – move tea and coffee into a cupboard and try not to have too many gadgets taking up food preparation areas.
• Piles of paperwork, newspapers or magazines.
• Personal photos as it’s hard to imagine your own belongings in a space filled with other people’s faces.
• Heaps of shoes, coats and other outdoor wear – while it’s tempting to kick them off as you walk in, it makes the entryway seem small and creates a bad first impression.

Planning ahead to create a spacious property

If you’ve got some time and you’re willing to invest in getting the best sale price, you might also want to consider some bigger renovations.

• Make rooms appear bigger by creating opening up shared rooms. You don’t need to remove an entire wall, but making a walkway between rooms draws the eye further and makes both spaces appear larger.
• Increase window size, and even add skylights or extra glass where possible.
• Install big patio doors and landscape your garden to make the transition from indoor rooms to a functional outdoor space totally seamless.