Staging - Bathroom

Achieving A House Sale In A Competitive Market

As well as a clean, tidy and tastefully decorated home, potential viewers are more likely to fall in love with it when the house is also ‘staged’. The idea is simply to dress your home to impress viewers. It’s effectively giving them the V.I.P treatment, enhancing their experience of visiting your house. You are presenting them with a snap-shot of a lifestyle that could be theirs if they were to purchase your home. The idea has been around for a long time and if done well, it greatly increases your chances of selling in a competitive market.

Bathroom Basics - Fundamentals Before Putting Your House Up For Sale:

• Re-grouting tiles can often transform their appearance if the grout is in a state of dis-repair. If it’s merely discoloured, try some bleach and an old toothbrush/nailbrush to revive them).
• Should your tiles be very dated-looking, you may decide to replace them, tile over them or to try your hand at tile-painting. It’s a cost-efficient alternative to buying and fitting new tiles, and with a little patience you can obtain a very good result.
• Deal with any mould or mildew problems sooner than later. (mould-inhibiting paints and other solutions are available, once you have investigated the causes).
• You may decide to freshen-up the paint on the walls by selecting a fairly neutral colour, which will contribute to an overall, fresh and hygienic feel. If you have busy or tired-looking wallpaper, consider painting it to instantly update the look.
• Replacing an old shower-curtain is often an inexpensive way to up-date the room.
• Up-dating fixtures and fittings in general, is well-worth considering, especially if they are tarnished, showing signs of rust or they are brass! Shiny chrome is always a hit with buyers and you can really polish it up beautifully for viewings.
• As with everything else, the flooring should be presentable and clean. Any peeling linoleum or carpet must go. (carpet in a bathroom can be extremely off-putting for potential buyers, as it’s often perceived to be un-hygienic since it holds onto moisture and odours). Even if you feel differently, replacing it is a safer bet.

Along with kitchens, bathrooms really deserve your attention when you are attempting to sell your house. Buyers expect to see spotless, tidy areas and if they happen to be well-designed, with a touch of luxury, so much the better. Expectations of bathrooms have increased over the years and no longer are they perceived as purely functional rooms.

The following tips are points to consider when showing and staging your Bathroom/s for sale:

• Comprehensively clean your bathroom, removing soap-scum, toothpaste smears and other unsightly marks, stains, or signs of neglect.
• Ensure windows, tiles and shower screens are pristine and mirrors are buffed.
• Let as much natural light enter your bathroom as possible. Try considerably raising the blind or opening the curtains wide if it won’t compromise your privacy.
• As obvious as it sounds, viewers will not wish to see or smell your dirty laundry basket. Removing it will also make the room appear larger. (in the same vein, damp towels are also to be avoided).
• Leave the toilet lid down.
• Remove clutter from shelves and replace with a few well-chosen lifestyle toiletries. Less is often more here, and clutter can be very distracting for buyers. Practical bathroom storage solutions are easy to come by.
• Placing attractive, scented flowers in a bathroom can make the room feel inviting and ensure that it smells fresh.
• Selecting a few colourful, co-ordinating ‘accents’ can be remarkably effective in brightening-up the room in a sophisticated way, which won’t overwhelm the space. These will be movable items, and so you can take them with you when you leave. (Good examples of these are luxury, fluffy towels, attractive-looking bath oils and natural candles. Only display un-used soap).
• Lastly, a little illumination; switch the light on! Buyers like to be able to see the room easily, and it contributes to welcoming your viewers and achieving that sale!

Got a subject you want us to cover? Ask Bubsy!