Infinite Ideas - Decorate!: Clever Tips for Enhancing the Value of Your Home

Decorate!

Clever tips for enhancing the value of your home

Giles Kime

7. Bedded bliss

Never underestimate the allure of a dreamy master bedroom.

A bedroom may represent all that is most private about our lives, but potential buyers will definitely want to take a good look.

Given that we spend almost a third of our lives asleep, it makes a lot of sense to focus a good proportion of our time, thought and effort on creating a great looking, comfortable bedroom. And, in most cases, all that focus will be on just one room the unfortunately named master suite.

Bedrooms have now joined bathrooms as the main preoccupation for potential buyers (followed a close third by a large but easily maintained garden). Much of the reason for this is down to the influence of hotel rooms that have become increasingly design-led, and leave travellers wanting to achieve the same effect at home. Another new development and the two are fairly closely linked is the fact that we have discovered ways to create bedrooms that arent governed by convention (i.e. the idea that bedside tables, wardrobes and trouser presses are all compulsory).

Now, there are a far greater variety of options from sleek padded headboards to plantation shutters. And, following the lead of designers, we are learning to use space better, either with streamlined fitted cupboards or by banishing storage to another room completely perhaps an adjoining dressing room, or a spare bedroom nearby.

With potential buyers in mind, it is essential to focus on one key aspect, whatever style you choose comfort. A room can be as visually appealing as you like, but if the space doesnt work or the bed isnt comfortable, it is unlikely to appeal to buyers. Remember, too, that a well organised space is more important than the space itself theres no intrinsic value to having a large bedroom just for the sake of it. In most cases, the space could be much better devoted to storage (i.e. a walk-in wardrobe) or an en suite bathroom.

When choosing a decorating scheme it is important to create a look that has most universal appeal and one that is in keeping with the style of the rest of the house. Of all the rooms in the house, this is the place where it is important to avoid quirkiness and eccentricity. It is also important to create a scheme that a potential buyer can easily change to suit their own tastes and any furniture that they might have.

Classic bliss

If choosing a period feel, keep the look fresh and light. Bold historic wallpapers such as Toile de Jouy or chintz might be an essential ingredient in country-style decorating, but many potential buyers will find it hard to see beyond them. It is better to create an updated classic feel with furniture that will leave with you i.e. a four poster bed, traditional bedside tables and a dressing table. Even then, make sure that they are as simple as possible and opt for light, painted finishes, rather than heavy wood. If choosing elaborate curtains, it is best to choose plain fabrics.

Contemporary bliss

For the bed, consider a combination of a divan and tall rectangular headboard upholstered in a textured fabric such as velvet. If space is limited, a good option alternative to a bedside table is a wall-mounted lamp or anglepoise. Blinds create a simple, pared down look but curtains offer better insulation from sound, light and the cold. Curtains with large rivet heading on poles create a sleek appearance also, consider pelmets that hide the track. Walls should be kept plain possibly with one in a contrasting hue. If choosing a contemporary wallpaper, try to avoid anything that will look too quirky.

Romantic bliss

If you are sufficiently confident in your abilities, you can blow potential purchasers away with a room that is designed as a haven. The emphasis, however, should be very much on beauty not quirkiness (the two are often confused but hugely different). You can create a wonderful, escapist fantasy feel with a simple four poster bed, pale floors, walls and either plantation shutters in the windows or sheer curtains. This will have the effect not just of creating a sense of privacy but will cocoon the occupants in a secluded space perhaps with the sense that they have been transported to another world. This all might sound frighteningly cheesy but it can be as effective as big name kitchen in hooking a buyer. Remember, though, that however romantic it might be, practicality is also of the utmost importance.

How did it go?

QThe main bedroom in my flat is quite small, can you suggest any nifty space saving ideas?

AAs well as substituting a bedside table/lamp combo for an anglepoise, there are plenty of ways to save space, such as shallow, wall-mounted tables and under-bed storage. But, where possible, banish as much as possible to other rooms.

QAnd how can I make a small bedroom look bigger than it really is?

ADecorate it in nothing but white white floors, white walls, white furniture, white bedlinen and white curtains. Add a few accessories (throws, cushions, etc) and youll have a room that looks smarter than anything twice the size.

QWill it help if I buy a smaller bed?

ANo. Its a curious and little recognised fact that large pieces of furniture such as beds, cupboards and chests of drawers actually make small rooms look bigger. It is better to fill a small room with a large bed and nothing else but a couple of wall mounted lights. It is much more comfortable, too.

QSurely one of the reasons that hotel rooms look so great is that they arent filled with clothes?

APrecisely thats the reason it is essential that you banish clothes and clutter to another part of the house.

Heres an idea for you

Because it is important that a bedroom has the broadest possible appeal, search the internet for images of simply decorated, contemporary hotel rooms that will give you plenty of inspiration for creating a pared down, comfortable look.

Defining idea

Sleep the most beautiful experience in life except drink.

WC FIELDS

8. Store and order

You cant create too much storage in a house its the secret to creating a calm, ordered feel.

Its not just about having the storage space, though, its about setting aside the right areas too.

There is one incontrovertible truth about the people who might possibly buy your house. And that is that they hate clutter. It isnt that they are necessarily very tidy people themselves far from it. Many of them live in conditions of unutterable squalor. But that doesnt mean that they find the jumble of other peoples lives deeply offensive.

It isnt just discarded clothes, novelty ornaments and collections of obscure beer bottles that bother potential buyers, it is also the paraphernalia of everyday life; CD collections, kitchen accessories and make-up (yes, even in a bathroom). In the houses of others, however, the only place in which these people (even the deeply slovenly, hypocritical ones) wish to see any of these things is neatly stored away in cupboards.

The other fact that you cant escape is that rooms crammed with clutter look much smaller than those that are decorated with just a few items. The following guidelines might seem draconian. After all, houses are for living in. But the purpose of this advice is to make your house as attractive as possible to potential buyers. Remember, its not all about you.

Living rooms

In living rooms it is a good idea to resist the temptation to create a lot of open storage for books, CDs, picture frames and knick-knacks. While there is no doubt that many people might enjoy looking at photographs of your 21st birthday party and the books that you read on holiday ten years ago, there is no escaping the fact that the effect can kill a room. If you have a large collection of books, keep them in a home office or, failing that, in boxes. A few photograph frames and decorative accessories might help create a personal feel but keep them to a minimum and edit them heavily.