How to make your home more sellable

Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating for a fresh start, getting your home ready for sale can make all the difference when it comes to attracting buyers and achieving a smooth sale. The good news? Making your home more sellable doesn’t have to mean a complete renovation. Sometimes, the smallest changes deliver the biggest impact.

Recently, data has shown that almost half of house sellers are accepting lower offers (according to Zoopla). So if you want to get the maximum price for your house, here are some of the most effective – and surprisingly simple – ways to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.

 

1. Remove your family photographs

As sad as moving house and leaving memories behind is, the potential buyers don’t want to visualise you and your family in the house, but themselves.

Buyers need to be able to see themselves living in your space, and that’s hard to do when every surface is covered with family photos, paperwork and half-empty toiletries.

This means that during viewings, you should try to remove any photos of you and your children from the walls/shelves.

Start by packing away anything overly personal, including collections, kids’ artwork, and personal memorabilia.

We had these wedding images in our old house and if we’d been struggling to sell it, we could have replaced these with something more neutral.

 

You should try to avoid anything that doesn’t have mainstream appeal. You don’t want to put anyone off with strange or unusual artwork that will distract buyers from the crucial elements of your home. Some landscape or foliage pictures would work well, as would a cityscape or a geometric pattern.

If the spaces look too empty, head down to your local Range or Dunelm, somewhere you can pick up some relatively cheap art prints or canvases.

 

2. Declutter and tidy up

I’m not saying you need to throw out 70% of what you own. You don’t even have to throw anything out at all. But you do need to organise and tidy as much away as you can.

The trick is to still make the home look lived in, without making it look a mess. All books should be stored on a bookshelf neatly. Any bedside tables should be clear of mugs, glasses cases, and moisturiser bottles. Dishes should be washed up AND put away, not just left on the draining board. You should aim to make it look as neat as possible, especially for your estate agent photos.

I’ve seen some terrible photos in my time. Where every surface is cluttered, or where everything looks unorganised. It distracts. You find you’re not looking at the house, but at other people’s things.

The photo below is currently on a home selling site. It just makes the kitchen look so dark and small. There are dishes on the draining board, cleaning products everywhere, the bin seems to be in the middle of the kitchen?! I wouldn’t want to look around this house.

 

The below photo is also currently on a home selling site. Recently, there’s been an upsurge of people taking photos themselves. I would not recommend this.

 

The picture is blurred. There’s stuff everywhere. It’s taken too close up so you can’t get an idea of the full room. There’s ketchup, butter and bread on the table left over from breakfast! It just looks a mess, and not a place I’d want to look around.

But behind it all, it could actually be a really great house. The paint colour is lovely. I can see a brick effect wallpaper which looks nice. Those sliding patio doors are a HUGE bonus, but you can’t see that they’re bifold doors. It looks like there’s some kind of huge white cabinet opposite the doors that could be got rid of to open up the space.

 

3. Freshen up with paint

A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest ways to breathe new life into tired rooms. Stick to neutral tones like soft greys, warm whites, or muted beiges – these create a clean, blank canvas that appeals to the widest range of tastes.

If your house has lots of bold colours, as much as you love it, it might be putting off potential buyers. They need to be able to see past your taste and visualise themselves in your home. You want to make the house look clean and fresh so painting it a nice neutral colour might be a good start. Neutral colours are the best to use because most buyers will probably repaint the week of moving in anyway.

Some of the best neutral tones include:

• Whites
• Light greys
• Light blues

Neutral colours also make spaces feel larger and brighter, both big advantages when selling. Don’t forget to touch up your woodwork and skirting boards too! Neat finishes show your home has been well cared for.

 

4. Improve the kerb appeal

First impressions matter. The outside of your home is the very first thing potential buyers will see, be that on a property listing or during a viewing. Make it count.

Some things you can do include:

• Tidying up the front garden or driveway
• Mowing the lawn, sweep paths, and weed flowerbeds
• Cleaning the windows and repainting your front door if it’s looking tired
• Add some seasonal plants or hanging baskets for a splash of colour.

Simple changes like these can dramatically improve your home’s kerb appeal and set a positive tone before buyers even step inside.

 

5. Upgrade your conservatory roof

Conservatories are often seen as bonus spaces – somewhere to relax, entertain, or enjoy the garden without going outside. But an old or inefficient conservatory roof can be a red flag for buyers. If it’s too cold in winter or too hot in summer, it’s not going to add value.

Replacing an old polycarbonate or glass roof with a modern, insulated option can completely transform the space. For example, a slate-effect tiled conservatory roof not only improves thermal efficiency, it also boosts the overall aesthetic of the extension.

 

These lightweight systems, like the Ecoslate365, mimic the appearance of real slate while providing proper insulation. That means the conservatory becomes a usable, appealing room all year round – a real selling point for any buyer.

As an added bonus, upgrading your conservatory could add around 10% to the value of your home. This is about the same as installing an electric car charger.

 

6. Maximise light and space

Dark and cramped interiors can be a turn-off. To help your home feel more spacious:

• Open all blinds and curtains before any viewings
• Add mirrors to reflect light and make rooms appear bigger
• Rearrange furniture to create a better flow through each space.

If your home is naturally darker, consider swapping heavy curtains for lighter ones, or updating outdated light fittings to something brighter and more modern. Natural light is consistently high on buyers’ wish lists, so do everything you can to show your home in its best (literal) light.

 

7. Update key rooms like the kitchen

You don’t need a full kitchen refit to make a good impression. A few strategic updates can go a long way:

• Paint or replace cupboard doors
• Swap out tired handles for something more contemporary
• Replace worn worktops or add a modern splashback.

The same goes for bathrooms – re-grouting tiles, updating taps, and adding a new shower curtain or screen can lift the whole space. Buyers are often swayed by kitchens and bathrooms, so giving them a quick refresh can make a serious difference.

 

8. Fix the little things

You might have learned to live with that dripping tap or the loose door handle, but buyers will notice. Taking time to fix these small issues shows that the property has been properly maintained. It also avoids giving buyers any excuse to question the overall condition of the home.

Walk through your property with a critical eye – or even better, get a friend to do it for you – and make a list of quick fixes. These might include:

• Repairing cracked tiles or chipped paint
• Replacing blown lightbulbs
• Oiling squeaky doors
• Securing loose wires or sockets.

These small tweaks often cost very little but collectively help give the impression of a well-cared-for home.

 

9. Show off your garden

A garden is a huge selling point for most houses, especially if your house has 4 bedrooms, as families will be the ones looking to purchase. You should try to make your garden look as attractive as possible. No one wants to move into a house and get straight to work on the weeds in the borders.

You’ll also want to show how functional your garden really is. It isn’t just an outdoor space, but somewhere you can store things, where the kids can play, where you can have a glass of wine in the evening sun.

If you want to sell your house fast, you’ll need to ‘show’ buyers how they can use the garden. You should arrange some seating in a particular area, and put a barbecue nearby to help them visualise how the space would work in the summer. If you’re worried about the seating being out all the time, you could put a cover on it that can be whipped off just before a viewing.

Finally, clear everything up. Brush the patio on a regular basis. De-weed the borders. Mow the grass if it’s summer. These changes can make a big difference.

 

10. Add finishing touches

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of staging. Set the dining table with a simple runner and crockery. Add cushions and throws to the sofa. Place fresh flowers or houseplants in key spots.

Scent is important too – light a subtle candle or bake something before a viewing (yes, that cliché still works!). These small details help create a warm, inviting environment that encourages potential buyers to picture themselves living there.

 

Making your home more sellable is all about creating a space that buyers can connect with. It doesn’t have to be expensive – in fact, some of the most effective changes cost next to nothing. From decluttering and painting to upgrading your conservatory roof, a little effort in the right places can help your home stand out in a competitive market.