Shake off any doubts you may have about not being able to sell a smaller home. Not every buyer is looking for a lot of square footage. Think about the popularity of tv shows featuring tiny homes and the increased interest in living smaller. Buyers continue to have varying interests and needs which makes homes of all sizes appealing.  

There are a variety of ways for a homeowner to present a smaller home’s rooms to feel bigger and show-off how much space is possible. It's desirable to highlight making good use of every inch of available space in each room and being well-organized.

Use Color and Artwork

Cool color tones recede to make a room feel larger. Warm color tones darken the lighting which gives the room a smaller, compact feeling. Choosing one wall color throughout the home, especially for an open concept, gives the illusion of being more spacious. Keeping artwork to a minimum allows the eye to see open wall space. Not every wall requires artwork or any sort of décor.

Placement, Spacing and Sight Lines

A mere 6-inches of space around furniture can give the illusion of a more spacious room. Pull furniture out from the wall, wherever possible. Place furnishings so you can walk around things. Home staging is meant to emphasize how much space is available. Another visual tip to follow is replacing a king-size bed with a queen or double—instantly the bedroom will appear larger. Consider removing interior doors to create sight lines to other rooms. The farther the eye can see, the better.

Lighting and Mirrors

Adding a mirror opposite a window increases the natural lighting reflected around the room. Replacing light bulbs in all fixtures to the highest watt bulb allowed brightens the space. Staging with glass tables and shiny finishes that reflect lights permits buyers to see-through the furnishings to view the entire room.

Pare Down the Furnishings

Stand in each room and survey what’s there. Are two dressers and three chairs necessary? Chances are things could be pared down to one dresser and one chair for more impactful home staging. Think about proper proportions to the size of the room. Replace an oversized chair or sofa with a smaller version. The visual impact will be huge.

Reducing Clutter

As you’re thinking about room size and properly proportioned furnishings, this is also a good time to consider where clutter can be reduced. Stacks of books and magazines can be boxed up. Ten plants filling a window could be reduced to two or three plants. If every vertical space is filled with photos, mementos, collections, knick-knacks, and other things start reducing to make more space. Empty closets, shelving, and cupboards to half of their content.  

Don’t Ignore Vertical Space

When you’re looking for way to expand, don’t forget about going vertical. Vertical shelving frees up countertop space. Vertical space is often overlooked in each room. Did you know when you hang shower curtains and drapery rods high it gives an illusion of room height and overall room space? Curtains in solid colors or small prints emphasize larger space compared to bold colors and larger patterns.

As you use these tips you may find a larger room has been hiding in plain view. It’s my pleasure to work will sellers to enhance their home staging. Reach out today to schedule an appointment.  

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers and was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020 citywide. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.