Prepping house for sale - Tips?

[brookeisntmyname]

Currently prepping house to go on the market and looking for tips of anything I may have overlooked. It's only 16 years old so no major issues to treat, just want to get it looking it's best.

Painted radiators clean white, currently painting all skirting and doors satinwood white and need a warm neutral for all of downstairs to go with greys, white, oak wood and a little yellow, dulux white cotton maybe? It's currently just walnut and makes the north facing lounge look pretty dull and dark. And it's silk so looks shiny in places and shows every imperfection!

I'll be getting the carpets cleaned too nearer the time. Is there anything else I've missed? The kitchen is looking quite dated and sorry for itself but don't think we'd recoup the value for a new one and I don't want the hassle.

Any tips appreciated!

[Housemum]

Depends how much stuff you have around - we have 2 kids still at home (and stuff from when eldest left), so we rented a storage unit (in our area usually £20/week for the smallest 25 sq ft size and most have half price for first 3 months offers). We boxed up all non-essential items to leave the place looking lived in but not full to bursting e.g. if you open a wardrobe there is a little space to move the hangers rather than the usual crammed in. Half of the Lego sets were boxed so DD3 has a selection of sets built in her room and being played with. Shoved some kitchen gadgets in the locker too - keep the surfaces clear of everything except a kettle and toaster (or skip the toaster if it's a small kitchen).

If you have pets consider lending to someone else (hamsters etc) or making sure they are out for viewings (dogs). Luckily the weather is good so our indoor guinea pigs are in a hutch in the garden instead. They might as well stay there for now - we obviously hit lucky as our house sold on first day of viewings. A friend with a dog in the house who is doing her own viewings (our agent is doing them) hasn't sold yet and I think her house is equally nice, maybe a lesson there?

Good luck