JUNE is a popular time for people to move home, hopeful of being settled before the new school term.
But making sure you get the most out of a move can be stressful.
However, property expert Liv Conlon – who stages homes for a living – has shared her essential 10 tips for boosting value.
And some cost just pennies but can had hundreds to the asking price.
Liv, 26, is the CEO of multi-award-winning ThePropertyStagers.co.uk, which furnishes more than 400 homes a year, as well as a StagerBoss – a coaching business teaching other women how to do the same.
The Scots mum, who was brought up in Glasgow and now lives in Marbella with son Cash and mum Ali, says: “From posh pillows to hotel-style bedding, the right styling can make buyers fall in love and nudge them above the asking price.
“So before you stick up the For Sale sign, check out these smart, simple ways to get buyers battling to pay more than the asking price.”
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
A buyer decides in 10 seconds whether they are going to buy your home or not – so your entrance and hallway need to make a good first impression.
Make it warm and welcoming. Buy a new door mat that’s only used for viewings, with no dirty shoe marks, and place two identical plants at either side of the door – which is either clean, new or given a lick of paint. Opt for colours such as black or navy blue so it looks ‘classy’, rather than something more ‘out there’.
Clear away the clutter, and lose the smelly shoes and dumped coats.
LIVING ROOM VISION
The living room is the heart of the home – and buyers know it. It’s where they picture relaxing with a glass of wine, watching TV, or hosting friends.
Get this room wrong and you risk turning off even the most interested buyer. Make it feel spacious but not sterile, styled but still homely.
Pull sofas away from the walls to create cosy conversation zones, and use a large rug to anchor the space – this helps define it and adds warmth.
Then ditch harsh overhead lights and go for soft lamps, layered lighting and oversized accessories to give a sense of luxury. Use neutral tones for your sofa and walls, then add depth with textured throws, scatter cushions and artwork.
GO BIG
Tiny trinkets and dinky lamps really don’t cut it when you’re trying to wow a buyer. One of the biggest styling mistakes sellers make is going too small with their accessories – it makes your home look underwhelming.
If you want to create that lux, showhome feel, size matters. Think
big and bold. Oversized lamps on side tables make a dramatic statement, especially when paired with plush sofas or layered cushions.
Chunky candlesticks, large framed art or statement vases add instant impact – and make the space feel styled, not stuffed.
DON’T LOO-SE OUT
Bathrooms are an important room but are often forgotten about when it comes to staging. The key to success with styling this room is to compliment not clutter.
You can do this by adding simple styling accessories, layers and textures. Consider pops of colour in your accessories, such as a soap dispenser or a toothbrush holder, which you can pick up for as little as £3 in places like Home Bargains. This draws the eye and helps your images jump off the page.
Add textures with towels and bath mats, but also through the type of glass or ceramic in your accessories. Small touches can have a big impact.
RIGHT RUG
Rugs are the unsung heroes of home staging – they define spaces, add texture and instantly warm up any room. In large, open-plan layouts, rugs create natural boundaries between living,
dining and kitchen zones, making the space feel organised and inviting.
Don’t overlook the ‘forgotten’ spaces – utility rooms, hallways or entryways can be transformed with a well-chosen rug to feel cosy and purposeful.
Rugs can tie together the design elements, especially through colour and texture, in a space while providing a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
They can also significantly reduce noise levels by absorbing sound – a quieter home is always more appealing to buyers.
ALL WHITE
Five-star hotels use crisp, white bedding for a reason, as it exudes luxury and cleanliness, and it immediately puts a viewer at ease.
Patterned or busy linens can feel cluttered and overly personal, turning off potential buyers. Investing in high-quality, bright white sheets creates a serene, spa-like oasis that invites buyers to imagine themselves unwinding there.
The clean, neutral backdrop also lets you introduce pops of colour and texture with cushions and throws – easy updates that make the room feel stylish without overwhelming the senses.
GET DRESSED
Layering is the secret to making your home feel styled, warm and high-end – without overdoing it.
In the bedroom, start with white sheets, then double up on duvets: one laid flat, the second folded neatly at the end for a boutique hotel look. Use feather insert cushions -not flat polyfills – and build texture with velvet throws, faux fur or quilted finishes.
In the living room, mix cushion sizes and textures on your sofa – linen, boucle, chunky knit – to add depth. Coffee tables and
sideboards should be styled too: think a stack of hardback books, a sculptural candle and one standout vase. Keep it intentional, not cluttered.
STAR OF THE SHOW
Not much beats getting ready at a dressing table. The feeling of space and time – rather than catching a quick glimpse in the closet mirror before rushing out the front door.
Create that same feeling in your bedroom by setting up a designated space in your bedroom to put on make-up and style your hair.
This can be a dual purpose area that could also double up as a work from home space too. To add real luxury, add a table standing mirror, and opt for a mirrored dressing table if your budget allows.
CLEAR OFF
Nothing puts buyers off faster than clutter. It makes rooms feel smaller and chaotic. When people view your home, they’re not just looking at the space – they’re imagining their life in it.
That’s hard to do if every surface is piled high with post, toys or toiletries. Start by stripping back.
Clear kitchen worktops, bedside tables and bathroom counters. Invest in clever storage: ottomans with lift-up lids, under-bed boxes and baskets for toys or blankets.
Hide away anything personal or bulky. Less stuff equals more space.
MIRROR IMAGE
Create symmetry in your rooms with matching bedside tables on either side of the bed. Not only does this add practicality and storage, but it instantly makes the room feel more polished.
Then, top each table with oversized, identical lamps – these create drama and a high-end vibe without breaking the bank.
Symmetry tricks the eye into seeing order and elegance, making your
bedroom feel like a five-star retreat buyers won’t forget.
