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If you bought bits and pieces to dress your house to sell ...

60 replies

Soontobeseller · 24/02/2021 16:25

What did you buy and how much roughly did you spend?

I know people will think it’s not worth it so I’m hoping those people just don’t bother replying but if you did do it I’d love to hear from you.

I personally feel there’s such a huge difference between houses that have some nice decorative items, art and bedding around the place and ones that have obviously just been put on as they are.

Our house is practically blank because we only just finished decorating so we definitely need to do something to jazz it up a bit for Rightmove and viewings.

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floofycroissant · 24/02/2021 17:25

@Soontobeseller

Any recommendations for nice but reasonable art that’s not your typical ten a penny stuff?
I bought and painted a set of Facebook marketplace frames, then found free B&W botanical prints online and got them printed A2 size, all cost less than £20
Soontobeseller · 24/02/2021 17:26

Was just looking at this type of thing on Etsy. I thought it was nice and calming for a bedroom. £70 for the size I’d need though.

If you bought bits and pieces to dress your house to sell ...
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Soontobeseller · 24/02/2021 17:26

Wow that’s a great idea!

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SnarkyBag · 24/02/2021 17:26

Personally I’d go for mirrors over art work. Cheap artwork/prints tend to look a bit naff IMO. I think you can do a lot with a large mirror and a striking houseplant personally!

NotMeNoNo · 24/02/2021 17:28

Maybe £150-200, mainly in TKmaxx, Asda, Dunelm etc, everything was some kind of bargain or sale item, all came to our new home and still being used. Try for a splash of colour or plant/flower in every room.

Candlesticks/ mantelpiece ornaments
Great big mirror over fireplace
New cushion covers (for sofas and beds), couple of new duvet covers, table runner etc.
Towels and bathroom acessories
Houseplants/potted herbs
New porch light to improve front door look.

TK maxx is great because it's all mis matched stuff already and doesn't look too try hard.

00100001 · 24/02/2021 17:29

It's so weird people do this. Most houses round heret sell quickly. I've never known anyone to dress their house beyond a quick tidy/shove things in the wardrobe type stuff

HollowTalk · 24/02/2021 17:31

One trick would be to buy some cheap but large canvases and paint some fake abstract art yourself.

Sorry, but that makes me think of Viz.

BitOfFun · 24/02/2021 17:37

Oh I know what you mean, Hollow, and I agree (my DH is a professional artist, so I'm no philistine!), but I've seen it done on decorating shows, so it's not that "out there" really.

Staffroomdoughnut · 24/02/2021 17:41

I’d say decluttering and being selective with what you leave has more impact ( smart coffee table books, vase of fresh flowers etc). I had help to clean the house really well - this really helped.
We painted the back yard cream, the gate a sage green and put a few plants on the wall. I bought new, plain bedding and a few co-ordinating cushions for the spare bed.

NachoNachoMan · 24/02/2021 17:49

I'd only get stuff I'd use in my next house - charity shops, facebook marketplace and high street shops (wilko, dunelm, next, home bargains)... You have to pick and choose between what's tacky and what looks nice though!

Obviously you need the house to look good for viewings, but I think the house needs to look the best for the photos (easier to hide stuff for photos than for viewings too!) as people will spend longer looking at them and keep referring back to them when deciding which houses to view. plus neighbours who nosy will see this

Cushions - nice cushions that compliment each other (so a few plain and a feature cushion or two). Chosen wisely, they can bring together elements of the room (sofa, curtains, rug). New cushion pads if yours are looking a bit sad (Dunelm for a few pounds).

Candles - chunky church candles either on the hearth or on a large mantle piece if it's it's looking a bit empty.

Plants - I have a decent array of house plants, but some are looking a bit sad. I'd chuck those ones out and replace with some cheap ones. Ones that trail look good on shelves/sils. Pots that compliment each other, looks nice to have a few together in different size/height pots. Also plants for by the front door, something seasonal like daffs, you can get ready made tubs which don't last long as they often put plants that grow too large in them like conifers, but will be fine whilst selling.

Rugs - mine are alla bit sad looking (kids plus food!) but you could get a couple to add a bit of warmth to rooms that are put out for photos/viewings so they keep nice (esp if you have children!)

Mirrors- little cute mirrors in dark corners, make sure you have one over mantle pieces and above bath room/cloak room sinks.

Photos - nice frames - not loads of personal photos but enough to make the house look homely. Free standing ones look nice on shelves, on top of side boards/tables. You could always buy some paint and paint an array of old wooden frames to match.

Pictures - you could always get a few large canvases (I'm sure they had loads last time I went to The Range) which will add a feature to an empty wall.

Boxes, baskets and bowls - soft (eg knitted or fabric) or natural boxes or baskets (eg wicker or wooden) to keep nick nacks in (I have some in my bath room for cleaning bits and sanitary ware). A wooden bowl full of fruit will always look good in the kitchen /dining table, and maybe shallow but wide ones with pine comes.

Flowers - buy a few days before so they are opened up (but not losing their petals!) - you don't need a big bouquet, instead something that is seasonal (eg daffodils now or sweet williams later in summer) and cheap will look nice and full once they've opened. Make sure you out fresh water in... Or put in opaque/ceramic cases/jugs to hide the water when it goes a bit slimy.

Blankets - place folded over sofa / arm chair arms (esp good to hide if there's a hole or a stain!), again can add colour to the room and bring elements together. One over the end of the bed can look nice too and add some colour, especially if your house is quite neutral.

Bedding - plain if patterned curtains (white look good), but if the room and curtains are plain if will look nice to add some colour and pattern, making it a bit more homely.

Lamp shades - mine are all a bit grey and dusty and can get some nice ones cheap ones that again draw the room together. Also floor or table lamps if you don't have any already.

NachoNachoMan · 24/02/2021 17:51

Also, if you have a hanging basket bracket... Put a basket on it! Even if you're not a gardener you can get a cheap pansy one from the supermarket that should last long enough whilst you are selling!

Classicbrunette · 24/02/2021 17:57

The cottage I bought was very stark and minimalist in furniture. But the historic features and oh boy.. the garden sold it to me. I could see how to make the most of it in my mind. They had no pictures on the walls at all.. because her husband was too lazy to put them up haahaa.

I do think a house sells itself with location, features, setting etc.. although I love watching house doctor.

Soontobeseller · 24/02/2021 18:06

The house absolutely will sell quickly especially the way things are going at the moment.

But it’s such a big thing I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting it to look it’s best especially when let’s face it everyone you know is going to go and have a nosey on Rightmove!

Some threads on here when people are selling they’ve gone too far with the decluttering so there’s absolutely a fine line to tread there.

Wondering if some of you do this for a living as such great, detailed responses! I think what I’m thinking is exactly the right idea by the sounds of it.

Agree the pics are probably more important than the viewings. I’ve already planned to move desk from master bedroom etc for pics but will probably leave for viewings unless I’ve stopped WFH.

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Soontobeseller · 24/02/2021 18:07

My husband has such an aversion to hanging baskets but maybe I can persuade him for selling purposes.

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ThePricklySheep · 24/02/2021 18:09

@Classicbrunette

The cottage I bought was very stark and minimalist in furniture. But the historic features and oh boy.. the garden sold it to me. I could see how to make the most of it in my mind. They had no pictures on the walls at all.. because her husband was too lazy to put them up haahaa.

I do think a house sells itself with location, features, setting etc.. although I love watching house doctor.

Some people have no imagination though and it’s sometimes worth making a few changes to maximise the number of people who are interested.
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 24/02/2021 18:12

I've seen some lovely big landscape/scenery canvases in The Range. I personally think B and M type shops/supermarkets are fine for cushions- it can be hard to tell high end from low end for those. Maybe Dunhelm or Ikea for rugs, bedding and towels?

If your walls are painted white/cream and the bathrooms are also white/neutral - I'd consider adding subtle colour with soft furnishings (greens or blues nearly always work as they are calming and usually inoffensive). If the rooms already have colour, stick to crisp white. We kept our new bedding/towels/cushions separate to keep them looking nice and clean and just put them out for viewings.

Also agree that a vase of flowers or colourful potted plant in each of the main living areas/master bedroom/ bathroom window sill makes it look like a home is cared for.

WellTidy · 24/02/2021 18:38

I meant to say - houseplants. Cheaper than buying flowers all the time and you can take them with you. You can get plant stands and footed pots and whatever is right for a gap.

nettie434 · 24/02/2021 19:07

Some friends of mine did what you are proposing Soontobeseller. They thought it made the difference to getting the price they wanted.

They have quirky taste - eg framed covers from vinyl records - so they took down those and spent small amounts on bland IKEA prints and a few plain cushions in the conservatory. Once the house was sold, they took them to a charity shop.

Like other posters, they also bought some expensive items they could take with them. These included a 'statement' vase, a very nice laundry basket large enough to fit every last worn sock etc, and plain fluffy towels.

Amazing expertise on this thread. I might be selling in a year or so and I know where to come for advice!

MrsLorensen · 24/02/2021 19:56

Only bought things that were lovely enough to be very pleased to be taking to the new house. Followed advice here and bought stunt bedding, toiletries and towels - all good quality. These were whipped out for viewings so they remained pristine and really help to minimise the time it took to get the place looking decent. Other than the stunt stuff, I bought house plants, table linen, rugs, and lamps to supplement lighting. And a storage bench to declutter the hall. And more plants and containers to spruce up the front of the house. And some cheap but original art work (etchings/lino prints mainly). Oh, and a vintage chair, and storage boxes to hide clutter that had been on the kids shelves. Didn't spend that much as mainly used local antiques flea market, eBay, and TK Maxx.

JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson · 24/02/2021 20:43

Homesense is perfect for this kind of thing but obviously closed at the moment. There is some stock available via the TK Maxx website.

Starseeking · 24/02/2021 20:56

I've spent about £500 doing little touch up jobs, such as painting over where the DC had drawn in the walls, filling in holes etc. I also bought new bedlinen, cushions, throws and vases to dot around the place, IKEA has some great throws that cost £3.50 and look lovely in photos!

Also went on Pinterest for some ideas, and found websites that I got other ideas from. This one is my favourite inspiration, particularly the gallery page, which I've linked:

www.homestaginglondon.co.uk/home-staging-projects-in-west-londo

The last job I need to do is declutter, then I can put the house on the market and test if this staging has worked!

DespairingHomeowner · 24/02/2021 20:59

I suggest you massively declutter, then take photos on your phone - less is more when selling

Apart from maybe flowers/plant I’d concentrate on taking away vs adding ...

BlackCatsRule88 · 24/02/2021 21:06

I’m hoping to sell in the not too distant future too. I’ve stocked up on a few simple bits like cushions, a doormat, bedding, towels and so on that I’ll keep for photo/viewing days - and will use in my new place.

I read a tip about stashing things like your normal towels and tired doormat in your car while the viewings are taking place, replacing them with smart fresh stunt doubles.

Sainsbury’s have some nice bits and there’s the added advantage that you can see them in person at the moment to judge quality.

Treehops · 24/02/2021 21:17

Plants, soft furnishings but nothing that is too taste-specific. Unless something is really to my taste, art on walls is a turnoff for me. I think people are more interested in the bones of a place and you can highlight them without stamping too much personality - decent window dressing, throws etc. I also dislike generic art and ornaments in holiday homes, it feels like a letdown.

Soontobeseller · 24/02/2021 21:20

So many great tips! Thanks again everyone.

I can’t wait to get it all sorted now and get it on. We have some boring things to do first like painting though Sad

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