LIGHT SELLS HOUSES

Good natural light is one of a property’s main assets. But many home owners don’t have windows facing the ideal aspect and others are overshadowed by another building. What can they do to improve the way their home looks to potential buyers? Colour is one of the obvious ways of making a house look lighter.

While white or off-white are safe, yellow is cheerful and mood-improving. If you have dark walls and don’t want to have to use two or three layers of colour-blocking primer to make way for a lighter colour when painting, you can always paint the wall a lighter version of the old colour – sky blue instead of dark blue, pink instead of burgundy. Other things to consider:

• If you are changing your floor coverings, instead of re-carpeting, use glossy honey-coloured timber or bamboo because it reflects light.
• What about using a brighter light globe? Or diffused lighting? If you have a dark corner, use multiple lights pointed towards the ceiling and walls. This reflected light provides a soft overhead glow which minimises harsh shadows.
• Are windows more covered than they need to be? Could you cut back plants to let in more light? Could you open the curtains more?
• Use bright textiles – curtains, cushions, throws.
• Make sure your furniture is light in colour. Timber should be blond, not dark. Dark colours will absorb any light coming into the room and make it dark.
• Are your windows clean?
• Mirrors placed where they will reflect light from windows will make a room look bigger and lighter.
• Look for finishes and surfaces which glow or which have a dull sheen. Use semi-gloss finishes on trims and a satin finish on walls as these will reflect light and increase it.
• Use metal frames for paintings, mirrors, furniture and accessories.
• Paint the ceiling even lighter than the walls. Either use the same colour as the trim – in matte not semi-gloss – or go one or two shades lighter than the walls. This also makes a room look bigger.
• When you are purchasing or borrowing lights, get floor lamps that will cast the light up to the ceiling and will not only reflect off the pale colour but will draw the eye up and give an impression of vastness.