Are you currently selling real estate? Have you already shown your property a few times but no one’s biting? It could be that your house appears to be too small for prospective buyers.

Here are a few tricks of the decorating trade to create the illusion of a bigger and better house for sale:

1. Clean up and de-clutter: if there’s only one item from this list that you use, let it be this one.
   1. Get everything off the floor that doesn’t need to be there, that includes Aunt Mimi’s heavy area rug! More floor space = bigger.
   2. No more than three items on any table or counter; put away the day-to-day items, i.e. toaster, coffee maker, laundry baskets, etc.
   3. De-personalize your home: help potential buyers picture themselves in the house by removing personal items such as family photos and trophies.
   4. Scale furniture to the size of the room (e.g. oversized sofas may be comfy but in a small room, well, just think of Aunt Mimi in a bikini…) and don’t block walking pathways.
   5. Open the shower curtains and change them to transparent or light colours.

2. Bright or neutral paint reflects light, maximizing the effect of natural lighting; dark colours absorb light, and along with busy wallpaper, make a room look smaller.
3. Good lighting: make certain your window coverings are sheer or pulled back to let in more natural lighting and brighten up dark corners with lamps.
4. Mirror magic: mirrors extend either the width or breadth of rooms, depending on what you want. They also reflect both natural and artificial lighting, bouncing light rays deep into the room both day and night.
5. Wall shelving: Ah, the old build up rather than out secret. Make use of all your space with high shelves on the walls for those rarely used items.
6. Doors: who needs them? Small spaces can be made more comfortable if those pesky doors are removed. Instead, install sliding or folding doors, or for doors that don’t need a lock, try retro ideas like hanging bead work! (Just make sure it works with the surrounding décor.)
7. Bring the outside in: fresh flowers and plants make homes more inviting.

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