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The more usable space you have in your home and the more
spacious it feels, the more appealing it will be to potential buyers.
Designers know the tips and tricks to create the illusion of more space - and
we're going to share them with you in this open house checklist. Follow these
tips for selling your home, and your open house is sure to be a success!
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Home Improvements Do Double-Duty to Maximize Space
While you wouldn't want to tackle any of these projects the day before your
open house, if you have the time and resources, these home improvements to
help you sell can go a long way toward making a small room seem larger.
Use the same type of flooring in adjoining rooms to create
flow and continuity.
Lay linear flooring such as hardwood strips or ceramic
tile on a diagonal. By highlighting the longest straight lines in the room,
the room opens up and feels more expansive.
Select light-colored flooring or carpeting to make the
room appear brighter and more spacious.
When selecting paint, choose a lighter color scheme -
pastel, neutral or white tones - to provide the illusion of a larger room.
Bold or dark hues make spaces feel small while light, bright hues make rooms
look bigger and more inviting to potential buyers.
Paint trimwork, doors, and similar features the same color
as the walls since highly contrasting elements can tend to divide the space
visually, making it appear smaller.
Paint the ceiling white or another very light color to
"open up" the space above.
Wherever possible, maximize the use of natural sunlight.
Skylights and solar tubes are great ways to add bright, natural light to a
small room.
Consider installing recessed can lights for a visually
appealing, clutter-free source of light.
The Right Furniture in the Right Place
Depending on the furniture you already have and what you're willing to
purchase to "stage" your home for your open house, there's a great
deal you can do to create an inviting, open feel in your small room. These
are our decorators' showing tips for selling your home.
Choose furniture that is proportional to the size of the
room. Large, brightly colored, heavily patterned, or overstuffed pieces can
overwhelm a small room and make it feel cramped.
Use glass-topped tables in any small room - a dining
table, a coffee table, or an end table - to create a spacious feel.
In a living room or family room, choose a couch and chairs
with open arms and exposed legs. This type of design lets light filter under
and around the furniture, making the room seem more open and airy.
Choose light woods, pale fabrics, and small prints to
maintain an open feel. Dark woods, vivid colors, and busy or oversized
patterns can make your small space seem even smaller.
Consider multi-function furniture to maximize space.
Examples include: A storage chest that doubles as a coffee table; a sleeper
sofa in the guest room; nested tables beside the couch; a dining table with
removable leaves.
Move furniture away from walkways to "open up"
the space and improve flow.
Arrange furniture so that you can see as much floor as
possible. The more flooring that's exposed, the larger the space will feel.
Move any furniture that blocks the view into your small
room. This will make the room appear more open when potential buyers walk
into it.
Consider removing pieces of furniture from the room. Too
many pieces will make the space feel crowded.
While pushing the furniture against the walls will
probably be your best bet for making the room look larger, you might also try
arranging the furniture on the diagonal to emphasize the longest lines of
your small room.
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