Playing with Light - Brighten Up Your Space and Create an Inviting Atmosphere for Prospective BuyersBy Keith Loria
With all the tasks that go into preparing a home for a showing, many sellers often overlook the effect that light has on creating an inviting atmosphere for prospective buyers. In fact, even if you have natural light streaming in through the windows, it’s also a good idea to take advantage of the various light sources within the home.
As any real estate agent will tell you, a home looks more inviting when the lights are on. Not only do lights prevent harsh shadows from the sun and brighten dim areas, they also add dimension to rooms and bring out all the best features that you’ve worked so hard to clean and get ready for the showing. In addition to brightening up a space, lighting experts reveal that lights can play tricks with the mind, helping to enhance the physical size of a room or hide any shortcomings. For example, if a room is on the smaller side, you can “push” one wall open by washing it with light. If a room is on the narrower side, illuminate the wide sides of the room to give it size. When it comes to lighting, there are three areas that must be considered. General lighting, which provides the majority of light to a room; accent lighting, which highlights and draws attention to certain aspects of the home; and task lighting, which helps light a specific area to help complete a particular task. For example, high-hats or recessed down-lights are a great choice for ceilings. For bedrooms, additional lighting can be added to the space by incorporating floor lamps or table lamps. Bathrooms should have vanity lights next to the mirror and the kitchen should have strong task lighting, with down-lights shining on countertops and the sink. You should also include decorative lights in the living room, dining room and any other rooms with something to highlight. Chandeliers make a great light source, especially if they have bright light emanating from them. If you’re in the process of getting your house ready for sale, be sure to purchase new light bulbs for all lamps and lighting fixtures. Go with higher wattages and crisp white light, and stay away from any tints. You may also want to think about removing (and saving) florescent LED lights and installing brighter bulbs. The same is true with exterior lights. Flip them on before prospective buyers show up so that they can see everything your house and yard has to offer. When it comes to lighting, it’s important to remember that strong lighting can make a home memorable and desirable. To learn more about incorporating light into your space, contact our office today. |
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