Spring is in the Air

Representing renewal and rejuvenation, spring is the happiest season of the year. Whether you are preparing to sell your property or just want to enjoy your creativity and love of nature, spring presents the perfect opportunity to spruce up your interiors and give your home a make-over.

If you’ve been thinking about a clean-up and an update, now is the perfect time to spring into action! Possibilities to freshen your home are endless. It can be as simple as opening your windows and adding fresh cut flowers, or de-cluttering and clearing away “stuff’. Or the new season may inspire you to introduce a lively new colour scheme to both the inside and outside of your home. So, whether you’re staying or selling, here are some tips to get you started.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Clean your windows and open them up so that fresh air flows into your home. Cleaning your curtains, blinds and shutters will also freshen your house. If your budget allows, consider updating your window treatments to a more current trend. Bring in the light – position mirrors opposite windows to reflect more light and illuminate the inside of your home. Add table lamps or floor lamps to create soft ambience.

STYLING YOUR HOME

Nothing says spring like adding pops of colour to your rooms – colour instantly livens up any space. You can add accents of colour with a piece of coloured glass or artwork. Or you can simply update your soft furnishings by introducing a spring colour palette (head over to our previous blog post on how to use colours in your interior design) – olive and forest greens, rose pinks, oranges & golden yellows – in your throws and cushions. Try some new or different textures to add more interest – natural fibres and luxurious velvets are on trend right now.

Clearing your coffee tables, except for a couple of gorgeous books, and adding a vase of fresh cut spring flowers and citrus-scented candles will instantly bring spring style into your home. Greenery is also a must for any interior – it literally breathes life into space.

DECLUTTER

Clean, tidy and de-clutter your home. Properties always appear larger and feel more spacious with less clutter – so start by clearing up the shoes piled up at the front door and put the toothbrushes on the sink away and out of sight! If you are selling, depersonalise your home by taking down family photos and other items that speak to your hobbies and lifestyle. The buyer needs to imagine themselves in your home.

Look at your home with fresh eyes and decide what you need to display and what to put away. A tidy closet tells a prospective buyer there’s plenty of room for their belongings, whereas a jam-packed closet might make them think storage is limited.
Spring is also a great chance to sell things online, purge excess items by doing a thorough home walk-through. Organise old, broken, unused, or unloved items into three categories — for donation, for sale or for the tip.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First impressions of a house exterior will set the buyer’s expectations about the interior as well. A house that looks well-kept from the outside signals to the buyer that the homeowner has made an effort to maintain the property and that it will be in good condition. If you are an apartment owner, you may not have a garden to maintain but making your entry area appealing will be equally important. A clear and tidy entry area and a clean front door will make a positive first impression for any visitor.

CLEAN-UP TIME

This might seem obvious, but homes that are tidy or decluttered aren’t necessarily clean. You might consider hiring professional cleaners to help you with a thorough spring clean at this time of year, and certainly before listing your home for sale.
If you are preparing your house for sale pay attention to the detail as well as the routine cleaning. Make sure you dust all surfaces and buff any stainless-steel appliances. Mirrors, toilets, and sinks should be spotless. Carpets should be vacuumed, and wooden floors should be free of stains and smears.

CONSIDER HOME STYLING OR HOME STAGING

You might feel inspired to make some bigger changes this spring. Home styling and design services can help you transform certain rooms or parts of your property or create a whole new dream interior throughout your home. If you are selling, using the services of a home staging company will bring out the best in your property and optimise the resale value of your home. Styling your home with interesting details and good design brings out its best aspects and makes buyers dream about moving in and starting their own lives in a new home.

If you’re prepping to sell your property this spring, it might be worthwhile talking to our property specialists for advice on home staging and tips on improving your property’s appeal to prospective buyers.