Our top tips for a living room that will sell your home

Posted by Abbey Estates on 29th May 2019 -

A living room is generally the hub of the home where households come together to relax at the end of a long working day, as well as being a prime spot for entertaining guests. So when it comes to selling your home, it's vital that your living room is up to scratch.

As one of the first rooms that any potential buyers see, the living room really can make or break a sale. Buyers often make a decision in minutes about whether they're interested in a property, so first impressions really do count.

We advise prioritising low-cost tactics to showcase your home in the best possible light, whether that’s opting for neutral decor or simply removing clutter before a viewing…

Neutral decor

It can be nice to have a lounge that reflects your personality, however when it comes to selling your home, it's always best to keep things neutral. Neutral colours such as cream, white, and light grey won't put any buyer off, regardless of their taste. Decorating your lounge in this way will allow potential buyers to imagine how they would put their own stamp on your lounge, without having to try and see past your interiors.

Your carpet or flooring should also be as neutral as possible. If your carpet is worn and dated, or dark and heavily patterned, it's well worth considering replacing it with a new, neutral carpet. It will be worth the investment when your property sells.

De-clutter and de-personalise

Just like the colour scheme, it's best to keep your accessories and personal items neutral - think sleek, clean and minimal. Start by removing clutter from your shelves and surfaces. You don't have to remove everything, your living room needs to feel lived in, after all, but you do need to cut back. So, if you've got ten items on a shelf, for example, strip it back to three so that people can visualise their own belongings there. Family photos also need to go - replace them with generic prints and artwork.

Lighting

Lighting can have a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your living room. Lamps and down lighters will add a warm, cosy touch to your lounge. Or, if you want to add a touch of drama, go for up lighting.

Fix it up

It's only natural that some of the fixtures and fittings in your lounge will get slightly damaged with everyday wear and tear. When preparing your lounge for sale, look around the room for any light switches, curtain poles and other fixtures that need fixing. If potential buyers notice broken fittings in your lounge, they might worry that they mask larger problems with the property.

Fine tune your furniture

Changing up the layout can totally transform your living room - taking it from cramped to spacious in minutes. Think about how your furniture is arranged, does it highlight the room's best features? Do you have any excess furniture that's taking up space?

Occupying a large proportion of space in your lounge, your sofa can really alter the look and feel of the room. If you've got lots of bulky sofas and chairs to accommodate your household, think about moving some of them out to open up more space. In addition to this, if your sofa is a little worse for wear, think about replacing the covers or adding a throw and some fresh new cushions.

The ambience

So many people look round a property and fall in love with it, simply because 'it feels right'. This is all about the ambience – how does your living room feel? Does it feel calm and tranquil, the sort of space you'd like to sit back and relax in after a long day? Think about how your lounge smells and looks. Trying adding some lightly scented candles to create a warm, welcoming and appealing ambience.