The guide top ten: Interior designs on making your home irresistible to clinch a sale

Published on Friday 12 September 2008 19:14

EACH week The Scotsman gives you a top ten guide to pertinent financial issues.

In a slow housing market, buyers are thin on the ground and sellers are struggling to offload their homes at decent prices. Tony Walker, owner of Edinburgh-based interior design company and showroom Tony Walker Interiors, offers tips on how sellers can get the upper hand with the help of a few quick fixes and some long-term investments.

1 STAY NEUTRAL Everyone has different tastes so make your rooms neutral to avoid offence. It doesn't cost a lot to give the main rooms a lick of paint and then use your furniture and accessories to add warmth. Newly painted rooms will also look clean and fresh and light colours will make the rooms look bigger.

2 DE-CLUTTER Make sure the property is tidy and uncluttered. Put away ornaments and personal objects such as photographs to make it easier for viewers to visualise themselves living there. Also, the less clutter you have, the bigger the rooms will seem, so if you have a lot of furniture consider putting some of it in short-term storage.

3 BACK TO BASICS Clearly define the purpose of each room and keep the furniture simple. It might work for you to use your dining room as a study, but if this doesn't work for the viewer, it will make it harder for them to imagine living there. For selling purposes, a dining room just needs a dining table and chairs and if you think it looks bare set the table as if for a dinner party. The viewers can then decide for themselves if they want to use it any other way.

4 PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Storage is a real problem in a lot of properties so highlight any storage space you have and make sure it's tidy and organised. If you have a large cupboard consider putting up shelves and hooks so viewers can see it as a practical space not just a hideaway for junk.

5 SEE THE LIGHT Take advantage of natural light to create the feeling of space. Where possible use pale curtains, tied back, to maximise light coming through the windows. If natural light is scarce, use lamps and mirrors to create the illusion of light and space.

6 GARDEN STATEA garden is highly valued so getting the advice of an expert is worthwhile to make the best use of even the smallest space. An outside seating area adds an extra room in summer so make sure there's suitable space for a table and chairs. Keep large trees to a minimum to keep the garden bright and maximise the light into the property.

7 DON'T WASTE SPACE If you have an unconverted cellar or attic work out what potential there is to add an extra room. You might be surprised what a seemingly small, dark space can become. Even if you decide not to go for it, the knowledge that it is structurally possible will attract future buyers.

8 CHANGING ROOMS Do not waste a small extra bedroom by squeezing in a double bed that isn't used and takes up the entire room. Consider whether you would be better off making the room into a study or, if you have a lounge/kitchen, you could move the kitchen into the spare space. Most couples would rather have extra living space than a guest bedroom that gets used once a year; you can always get a sofa-bed.

9 EN SUITE? Having just one bathroom in a larger property can be a problem, so if there's space in the master bedroom an en suite should definitely be considered. Wet rooms are a good option if you are limited on space.

10 KITCHEN CLINCHER The kitchen is arguably the most important room in the house and design is key. If your kitchen doesn't work for you, the chances are it won't work for future occupants either, so when putting in a new kitchen, don't be afraid to move things around. Consider storage space, worktop space and what appliances work well next to each other. Choose a classic design that won't look out of date in a few months. If you have a limited budget, invest in durability and keep the style simple.