Five affordable styling hacks for sellers
If you find yourself in a market where buyer demand is scarce, first impressions matter more than ever. With fewer potential buyers walking through the door, your home needs to make an immediate and lasting impact. When budgets are tight, this might seem impossible to achieve, but it can often be far simpler than you might expect.“Sometimes it is not necessary to spend thousands to stage a home professionally,” says Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett. “Often just a few inexpensive updates can dramatically increase perceived value and help secure a quicker sale.”
To help sellers maximise their home’s appeal without breaking the bank, REMAX Southern Africa has compiled a list of affordable home styling hacks that can make a significant difference during viewings and open houses.
Declutter & depersonalise
The most cost-effective way to style your home is to clear it out. Remove excess furniture, personal photos, and items that distract from the home’s structure and space. Minimalism not only makes spaces feel bigger, it also helps buyers imagine themselves living there.
Light it right
Good lighting makes rooms feel warm and inviting. Replace dim bulbs, clean light fixtures, and consider adding inexpensive floor or table lamps to brighten dark corners. Natural light should be maximised. Open all curtains and blinds during showings.
Patch & paint
A fresh coat of paint in neutral tones like white, beige, or soft grey can do wonders for a home’s appeal. If there are any minor cracks, this can also be patched and painted to give the home a fresher feeling. Accent walls with peel-and-stick wallpaper or painted patterns can add interest without long-term commitment.
Bathroom & kitchen touch-ups
Instead of full remodels, small updates like replacing cabinet handles, updating grout, or adding a modern floating shelf can freshen these high-impact areas without major investment.
Skirting & cornices
Updating your home’s skirting boards or cornices is a subtle yet impactful way to refresh a space and add a touch of sophistication. Over time, these architectural details can become worn, outdated, or mismatched with modern décor. By replacing old skirting with sleek, contemporary profiles or adding elegant cornices to frame ceilings, you can instantly elevate the room’s aesthetic.
“You don’t need a massive budget to stage your home attractively,” Goslett says. “Good real estate agents can provide pre-sale advice to help sellers make smart, cost-effective improvements. With their support, even the most basic improvements can yield impressive results.”