Selling: Presenting A Bedroom

Clearing, Dressing & Lighting
Kids' & Spare Rooms

Are you embarrassed about showing your bedroom to prospective buyers? Here are some tips for a welcoming boudoir.

By Daphne Leck

1 Clean & Declutter

It goes without saying that bedrooms should be tidy, clean and fresh. Keep surfaces and floors clear of clutter, especially shoes and bags. If necessary, invest in attractive storage boxes for under the bed, but ideally not on top of the wardrobes, which just makes the room look untidy. Give the room a deep clean - including under the bed. Open the windows before the viewers arrive.

Now remove all essence of your personality. Think of elegant hotel style bedrooms. Comfortable and stylish, they are impersonal. No one wants to be confronted with someone else's make-up or tubes of haemorrhoid cream. Such distractions will prevent visitors from noticing the positive aspects of the room.

2 Dress The Bed

Since it dominates the room, it's worth making a big deal of the bed. Bedspreads and throws make beds look tidier and more welcoming. Add some large scatter cushions in silk or velvet for a feeling of luxury. And, obviously, make sure everyone in the household is up, and all the beds are made.

3 Organise The Storage

Do not be fooled into thinking that your visitors will be too embarrassed to open cupboards; they will want to see how much storage space you have. They will not want to see a jumble of clothes, magazines and the leather bondage outfit you have hurriedly stashed away.

4 Assess The Decor

The decor in a bedroom should be neutral if you're trying to sell. Off-whites, creams and pale yellows have much wider appeal than feminine pinks and lilacs.

Do not forget to hang some suitable pictures or mirrors to make the room look bigger and brighter. A room can look cold and lifeless with nothing on the walls. Check out our gorgeous galleries of traditional and modern bedroom designs before you make a decision.

5 Update The Lighting

Cosmetically, it's a good idea to change your light fitting for something elegant - a chandelier, perhaps - or at least vaguely contemporary. However, if you'll be showing your home in the evening, it's worth knowing how to light the room properly to make the most of its proportions and to make it look inviting.