There are plenty of reasons why it makes sense to paint your home’s interior a lighter color, like cream, off-white, or even tan. These light tones brighten up a room, making the space feel more inviting and comfortable. Everyone craves natural light!
2. Brighten it Up
Another major component of the blank slate design? Lots and lots of light. Brighten up the space as much as you can by pulling back the curtains and raising the blinds. Play up your home’s natural light so potential homebuyers will feel right at home!
If some rooms don’t receive as much natural light, leave the lights switched on. This is important for safety as well as aesthetics since you want to avoid having people fumbling for switches in the dark or struggling to find their way around. Make sure your kitchen is well lit so buyers can examine the countertops and appliances in detail. Kitchen counters should be clear of extraneous items like toasters, blenders, and yes, even your favorite coffeemaker!
This will allow the buyer to see themselves using the kitchen for their own morning routines while also making the room look much more spacious. The same is true of bathrooms. Hairdryers, extra towels, and other nonessential accessories should be neatly stored, and the shower curtain should be in a neutral color or pattern.
3. Remove All Personal Traces
Over the years, families typically fill their home with personalized details: family photos hanging in the hallway, kids’ artwork displayed proudly on the fridge, favorite sports paraphernalia on the bookshelves. These items are meaningful to your family but are distracting to prospective buyers. During their open house or tour, they try to imagine themselves living in the home, which is harder to do when surrounded by someone else’s personal effects.
So how can you get those personal details out of the way and enhance your blank canvas? Remove any framed photographs of friends and family, clear knickknacks from dressers and bookshelves, and keep the bathroom clear of personal items like toothbrushes or contact lens solution. Once the space is clear and clean, potential buyers will be able to imagine themselves stepping into the role of the homeowner.
4. Keep Everything Simple and Clean
When your home has been cleared to create the perfect blank canvas, it needs to be absolutely clean as possible. Without extra furniture or decor in the way, prospective homebuyers will be able to see every nook and cranny, so make sure the space shines. Besides typical cleaning tasks, such as vacuuming and scrubbing the sink and bathtub, you’ll need to do a major deep cleaning.
Check all the small spots you might typically overlook, from dusty window blinds to dirty ceiling corners to behind the toilet or sink. Clean countertops and the fridge to keep them free of fingerprints, unclog sink drains, and consider getting the carpets steam-cleaned to eliminate any lingering odors you might not notice daily.