When selling your home, you’re juggling a lot! Paperwork, packing, and finding the right estate agent in Purley, Croydon, and Surrey to get that sale across the line. Then, just when you think you’ve covered everything, another task pops up!
Later this month, the clocks will wind back one hour as British Summer Time ends, making our days and evenings darker as we enter the autumn season. It’s at this time of year that one crucial detail often gets overlooked. The lighting in your home!
First impressions are everything, and poor lighting can sadly make your home appear smaller, colder, and less inviting, no matter how spacious it really is.
Fortunately, you don’t need a complete lighting overhaul to make a difference. Shinerocks has five practical tips to enhance your home’s lighting and boost its appeal to potential buyers when you're preparing your house for viewings.
1. Evaluate Each Room’s Lighting
Begin by thoroughly assessing the lighting in each room of your home. Open all the blinds and pull back curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. Turn on all light sources to see how they work with the room's layout and decoration.
Conduct this evaluation at various times of the day - morning, afternoon, evening, and even during cloudy or rainy weather. This approach will help you understand how natural and artificial light changes the atmosphere throughout the day.
Pay attention to how light affects the colour and feel of the room. Taking photos during each lighting scenario can be a useful reference for identifying areas that are either over-illuminated or poorly lit, enabling you to make the best improvements.
Think of this as the first step to staging your home.
2. Don’t Neglect Exterior Lighting
Exterior lighting is crucial for making a strong first impression and enhancing your home’s kerb appeal. Make sure your front porch, driveway, and pathway are well-lit to create a welcoming and safe environment for potential buyers. A well-lit entrance not only adds charm but also helps buyers feel more secure when approaching your home.
If you have a garden or patio, consider installing lights to showcase these outdoor features and make them inviting for evening viewings. Proper lighting can highlight landscaping features creating a more attractive exterior.
3. Upgrade Your Lighting Fixtures
Old or broken light fixtures can detract from your home’s overall attractiveness. Replacing outdated fixtures with modern, stylish alternatives can significantly enhance the look of your rooms.
Consider upgrading to energy-efficient LED bulbs, which have a longer lifespan and lower energy consumption compared to traditional bulbs. LEDs are not only better for the environment but also help reduce energy bills and generate less heat, which is particularly beneficial during warmer months. Updating fixtures and bulbs can improve the ambience of your home and make it more appealing to buyers.
4. Brighten Dark Spaces
In older properties in particular, while exuding a wonderful timeless charm that new homes can’t replicate, distinctive architectural elements such as low ceilings, built-in bookshelves, original fireplaces, and nooks and crannies can appear gloomy.
Low ceilings might create a cosy, intimate feel, but they can also make rooms feel more enclosed. Nooks and crannies, while adding a sense of charm and character, might also present challenges for modern living. These spaces can be perfect for creating a quirky reading corner, but they also require creative lighting. Embracing these quirks and highlighting their charm with strategic lighting can help you present your home’s unique personality.
Strategically placed mirrors can help reflect light around the room, making it appear larger and more open. Placing reading lamps in alcoves, and adding light-coloured cushions, throws, or rugs can enhance the brightness of a room and create a more inviting atmosphere.
These simple changes can help transform a dimly lit space into one that feels warm and welcoming.
5. Add Extra Lighting
If certain areas of your home remain dark despite your efforts, consider adding even more additional lighting. Table lamps and desk lamps can be stylish and functional, providing extra illumination while adding a decorative touch. Accent lighting can draw attention to focal points, such as artwork or architectural details, enhancing the visual interest of the space.
For a more comprehensive approach, install under-cabinet lighting in kitchens to brighten work areas, tread lighting on staircases, or track lighting on ceilings to illuminate shadowed areas. These additions can help ensure that every corner of your home is well-lit and inviting, helping you attract a higher offer on your property.
Hallway: To brighten a hallway use wall sconces or recessed lighting to illuminate the space without overwhelming it. Place fixtures at eye level to create a warm, welcoming glow.
Kitchen: In the kitchen, focus on task lighting to enhance functionality. Under-cabinet lights are ideal for illuminating countertops and workspaces, making meal prep easier and adding a clean, modern look to the room.
Sitting Room: For a cosy sitting room, layer your lighting. Combine overhead fixtures with table lamps and floor lamps to create a comfortable ambience. Use dimmable lights to adjust the mood based on the time of day or the activity.
Study: In a study or home office, ensure adequate task lighting to reduce eye strain. A desk lamp with adjustable brightness can provide focused light for reading and writing, while overhead lighting should be bright enough to illuminate the entire room without causing any glare.
Bedroom: In the bedroom, use a mix of ambient and accent lighting to create a relaxing atmosphere. Soft, bedside lamps or wall-mounted reading lights offer gentle illumination for night-time reading, while dimmable overhead fixtures can help set the mood for winding down.
Bathroom: Brighten up the bathroom with focused vanity lighting. Install lights on either side of the mirror to reduce shadows and provide even lighting for grooming. Consider using a combination of overhead and task lighting to ensure the space is well-lit.
If you’re selling your home in Purley, Croydon, or Surrey, these lighting tips can help you create a brighter, more inviting and welcoming space for potential buyers.
For expert advice on selling your property, get in touch with Shinerocks at 020 8660 2010. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
In the meantime, we’ve answered some of your common questions about lighting up your home.
How important is natural light?
Natural light is crucial. Keep blinds and curtains open during viewings and be mindful of how sunlight affects each room throughout the day.
Should I upgrade my light fixtures?
Yes, modern fixtures can enhance your home’s appeal. Opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs to save on energy costs and reduce heat.
What about dark corners?
Use floor lamps or mirrors to brighten dark areas. Light-coloured accents can also help add vibrancy to these spaces.
What additional lighting options are there?
Consider under-cabinet lighting in kitchens, task lighting for work areas, and track lighting for high ceilings. Enhance your home’s kerb appeal with outdoor lighting for evening viewings.
Use the form to send us your questions and we'll respond as quickly as possible.
You can also call us on 020 8660 2010, or email enquiries@shinerocks.co.uk.
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