Sophie Paterson on how to style your home for sales appeal

Home staging is all about preparing your property for a potential buyer – drawing them in, enabling them to imagine themselves living in your space. And it’s well worth doing. According to a recent report by the Home Staging Association UK, an unstaged property typically remains on the market more than twice as long as one that is staged. So which areas should you focus on to make the pull of your home more powerful?

In the clear
Potential buyers need to be able to see the space and appreciate its positive aspects. It’s also beneficial to have a clearout before you move, so you don’t take unwanted clutter to your new home. Leave vases, coffee-table books and a few photographs on show – though less is more. Subtle messaging to show that this is a happy family home can be inspiring for buyers.

Freshen up
The property needs to feel fresh. Invest in white bedding along with white towels for your bathroom: the power of styling can distract from less than perfect rooms.

Light fantastic
Most buyers are looking for a bright, airy property, so if your curtains, blinds or shutters are blocking out valuable light, consider removing them, or hanging them wider and higher to allow more light in. Switch on table lamps and overhead lights for viewings. Porta Romana is one of my favourite lamp brands – its pieces are timeless and you can take them with you when you move. You can also position uplighters behind furniture and create a layered lighting effect.

Brush up
If you have time, refreshing your paintwork can make a real impact. There is nothing more appealing than the look of a newly painted room. I love to colour-drench the walls, skirting and cornicing to create a contemporary feel – this tricks the brain into thinking ceilings are higher than they actually are. Khaki Mists 6 by Dulux is an excellent neutral, as is Quarter Harbour Grey by Zoffany.

Size matters
Take a look at your furniture: is it the right scale for the room? A small rug in a living room will shrink the space visually if it doesn’t reach the sofas and chairs. Small furniture does not make a room feel bigger – it’s better to have a few well-proportioned pieces than lots of little ones. For example, opt for the largest bed that you can fit between bedside tables. Don’t go for a small double if the room will take a superking.

Reflected glory
Add mirrors all over the house. It’s an old trick, but that doesn’t make it any less effective. Go for a combination of full-length and smaller ones hung above furniture. You can find great antique options online – they are more interesting than plain frames. I love visiting dealers in Petworth and at Ardingly collectors’ fair to source special pieces.

Branch out
Greenery makes a huge difference. Flowers have a short lifespan, so I prefer plants – asparagus fern is long-lasting and eucalyptus branches look wonderful. If you have a garden, bring in a couple of branches and put them in a vase for a statement arrangement. It can take several weeks to sell a property, so while you might want to invest in flowers for the photoshoot, having plants or foliage for showings is much more sustainable.

All in good taste
Consider changing any décor that might be divisive – bold colours, for example, or niche artwork. People want to buy a property they can picture themselves living in, and these elements can be barriers to that. Botanical artwork is always popular – buyers love a house with evergreen appeal.

Heaven scent
And finally: fragrance is so important. People judge your home not only on how it looks, but also on how it smells – and the way that makes them feel. Invest in diffusers that can be safely scattered around the house. One of my favourites is by Rachel Vosper: it’s toxin-free.

Sophie Paterson Interiors