What's Your Decorating Style?

Accessorize to Sell

It's a proven fact that a well-decorated home sells faster than one that shows signs of daily living.  So while your current decoration may suit you to a T, it's not necessarily what what will sell your home.  Reconciling your own taste with what buyers are looking for can be challenging, especially when you still have to live in your home while waiting for it to sell.

The first step in decorating a room is to create a focal point, or a fixed point around which the rest of the room revolves.  This can be a fireplace, sofa, painting, mirror, screen, or any other large, striking object to which the eye is naturally drawn as you enter the room.  Sometimes, this focal point can be positioned strategically for maximum impact, such as angling a sofa or positioning a painting or mirror.  Other times, as in the case of a fireplace or picture window, the focal point is fixed and cannot be moved.  But regardless of whether your focal point is moveable or fixed, accessories are necessary to complete the effect. 

Accessories should not be confused with clutter.  Ideally, all knicknacks, keepsakes, and other small items should be cleared away first, and then selectively returned to the decor.  Choose your accessories carefully - just because it's an object you treasure does not necessarily mean it will help sell your home.  Use as few accessories as possible to create a clean, spacious look that is also warm and inviting.  Avoid clutter, but don't make the room appear too stark, either  - there should be enough interest to attract the eye, but not so much that you don't know where to look first.  Arrange like objects in groups or create interesting vignettes by grouping objects of similar color.  Add interest by arranging your accessories at different heights - stack a few books and place an accessory on top, display a plate on edge using a plate stand, or add an upright vase to an otherwise flat arrangement. 

Lamps also make great accessories, and can add  a lot of warmth to any room.  A small lamp on a side tables or dresser can go a long way to making a room cozy and inviting.  When positioning a lamp, consider the placement of windows in the room, and position the lamp where accent lighting is most needed. 

Seating areas arranged around focal points can also be particularly effective in creating an inviting room.  Good seating arrangements draw people in and make the room feel like a favorite retreat instead of just another space with seating.  Ideally, traffic should flow around or behind seating rather than through it, so keep this in mind when arranging furniture.  Balance is also important when arranging furniture,  so take care not to put all the large pieces on one side of the room.  If you have a large, modular sofa, try breaking it up into its component pieces and arranging them throughout the room.  Remember that your sofa doesn't necessarily have to go on the longest wall of the room.  Try angling your sofa or turning it 90 degrees - be creative, and you will find something that works.

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