5 Tips for Better Open House Presentation

If you’re planning on selling your house, then an open house is in your future. Hosting an open house session for potential buyers or renters means that your home has to be at its best. Even if your property can charitably be described as a little disheveled when it's not put on display, it is absolutely necessary to make it presentable when you're expecting visitors. Thankfully, successfully preparing your property for an open house presentation doesn't have to be difficult or costly. Here are some tips that are easy to implement and can significantly improve the appearance of your property.

Clean up and remove clutter

Even the world's most beautifully decorated property would not leave a good impression if it were full of clutter and dirt. It is absolutely crucial that your property be given a thorough cleaning and that all clutter and items that don't contribute directly to its appearance be removed. Keep age spots, stains, tears and broken furniture out of sight and dust all surfaces meticulously. You want your interior to look as clean and as well-maintained as possible.

Decorate with plants

A few strategically-placed plants can really transform the appearance of your interior. Plants can soften sharp edges, brighten up the colour scheme of an otherwise somber interior, hide areas that you would prefer viewers didn't see and make a property look more inviting. Avoid using fake plants unless they look very realistic. Some companies even let you rent plants when you need them, which is more convenient than trying to maintain them on your own.

Make sure there's lots of natural light

As a general rule, properties which do not receive much natural light almost always look worse than those that do. When your guests arrive, ensure that you open curtains and windows to allow the space to be bathed in natural light. Don't overdo it, though, especially in hot weather, as allowing in too much sunlight can cause your interior to overheat. As a general rule of thumb, try to keep your rooms bright but not without some areas of shade where guests can seek respite from the heat.

Fill up the walls with prints

Large expanses of blank wall can make a property look empty and uninviting, so it is best to break up the monotony by decorating walls with canvas artwork. Canvas photo prints are an inexpensive way to make walls look attractive without having to put in much effort. Some photo printing sites also provide professionally-taken stock photos if you don't have any printable photos of your own on hand. Put up a few that go with the colour scheme of your property and create a pleasant atmosphere.

Make sure the place smells pleasant

There's nothing more off-putting than visiting a property that looks good on paper but smells bad. Properties that have been left vacant for a long time can start to smell musty, and it is all too obvious when a property has been a victim of indoor smoking. Other than giving the place a good cleaning, burn essential oils or incense to keep your property smelling pleasant, especially when visitors are on the premises.