5 golden rules to make your home the most beautiful for sale
The realtor steps over the threshold and suddenly I see my house through his eyes. The paint that has chipped off the stairs, the stainless steel of the oven that just doesn't shine quite right, and don't get me started on that plundered garden. When you have a house to sell, you suddenly see what's wrong. But how do you make a house look its best for photography and viewings? I asked photographer Mabel van den Top from Atelier Mabel for advice, these are her do's and don'ts.
1. Clean until you drop
It may seem like a no-brainer, but we're talking about polishing the kitchen cabinets of your high-gloss kitchen. Mabel: ‘Especially with small children, you often see fingers and hands on smooth surfaces. That might not be immediately visible to the naked eye, but in the photo, you see everything. Clean all the nooks and crannies and especially tidy up your clutter. Someone should feel like they're stepping into a hotel room.’
2. Knick-knacks and trinkets locked away
‘Keep the decor of your house minimalistic; pure simplicity comes across best in images. You don't want both a photo of yourself with children and a plant and a vase and a candlestick. Make sure it looks cozy, but at the same time sleek. Beautiful coffee table books give a luxurious look and are cozy without appearing cluttered. In images, knick-knacks can quickly look very busy, while you see that differently with normal eyes. But just wait until you take a photo. Cushions on the sofa are also very cozy, but for photography, it's better to use one color palette. Pay attention to grouping as well; it always works well to use three cushions,’ Mabel explains.
Image: Mabel
3. Luxury hotel room
I know people (hi May) who iron their bedding, but normally I prefer to let that hassle pass me by. One flip and everything is wrinkled. Yet you really should do this now, emphasizes Mabel: ‘When you walk into a hotel room, you don't want anything to look messy. Iron the duvet, hide those cords behind the nightstand, and keep clutter behind closed doors. The whole house should be as Insta-proof as possible, and on Instagram, the bag of green apples isn't still on the counter.’
4. Take photos of your house yourself
Mabel already pointed it out: through the lens of a camera, everything looks different. Take your own photos to see which corners look cluttered and how that comes across in the final picture. ‘Move furniture and accessories around to get the best result. I always say: if you don't try, you won't know how it will look. In images, everything seems smaller, so set everything up as spaciously as possible. And especially remove what adds nothing.’ Clearly: time to move things around, put the rest in storage, and then take a shot to see the result.
5. More atmosphere, but less is more
Mabel: ‘Keep accessories timeless and neutral, even in color. With cream-colored tones and black accents, everyone can identify. It may not be what someone would do themselves, but it gives a nice image of how something can be. You want every person to think: that's beautiful. It's also important that people feel welcome, so clean those windows and place a nice plant by the front door. And don't forget that cheerful bouquet of flowers and lighting. Of course, you take photos in good daylight; your photographer knows that too. For some extra depth in the house, work with a framed print on the wall.’
