Subject:
Selling a Small House? Here's How to Make It Look Larger
You don't need to be a magician to work a little magic with small spaces. Diminutive rooms can be made to appear more spacious with some not-so-expensive tricks.
The least costly approach to "enlarging" a home is to thin out the clutter. Whether you've lived there three years or 30, possessions have a way of accumulating. Go room by room and purge closets and cupboards of unused, unwanted items. Pack or give away clothing that will not be worn. Clear off nightstands and bureaus. Box up what you've elected to keep, and store it. If an attic isn't available, look into temporarily storing extra belongings at a self-storage facility.
If you're a collector, think about packing your collectibles, especially miniatures and other knickknacks. This protects a prized Pooh from being "pinched," and when fewer objects carpet tabletops and displays, the room will appear more open. If, like many cooks, you've collected sundry utensils and gadgets, scrutinize the kitchen for those you rarely use. They, along with miscellaneous items from the pantry, can be neatly stored.
Do the same ruthless purging in the garage and in the side or backyard. Get rid of or store the odds and ends. This is a great time to have a yard sale or to donate goods to charity.
Another way to open up space is to rearrange and organize. Remove as much furniture as you can. Consign weightier pieces to storage then arrange the remaining furniture. It's preferable to decorate using tall, narrow pieces.
For a more spacious feel, leave a path through a room. It will draw the eye across to the far wall or into the next room. In a recent interview in the Caller-Times ("Less is More," March 26, 2000), art and furniture designer Dawn Melancon suggested angling furniture for an open look, keeping pathways clear by eliminating unnecessary coffee or end tables, and placing a few small decorations around the room.
Tall plants can contribute to a sense of height and airiness. A glass-topped table and a perfectly placed mirror add to the illusion of spaciousness and depth. Some designers recommend eliminating window treatments or using sheer curtains to allow more light in. Mini-blinds that match the wall color also open up a room.
If you plan to paint, create depth by painting the ceiling a lighter color than the walls when you have a light-colored rug, or paint the walls and ceiling the same light color if you have a dark rug.
Extend the illusion to your property by adapting techniques painters use to create depth or distance in paintings. Dr. Dave Williams, a horticulturist at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, explains that the actual dimensions of landscape borders and the paths and spaces between them can add to the illusion of distance. For example, he recommends narrowing a border toward the far end to make the property appear as if it goes on for a distance. By working with the dimensions and placement of borders and paths, homeowners can add visual acreage. To see more of his ideas on landscape wizardry, visit www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/newspaper/borders.html.
For specific suggestions, custom-tailored to enhance the visual appeal of your unique property, contact your real estate professional.
"Real Service in Real Estate." For a personal consultation on buying or selling real estate, Janis Peterson, GRI, Realtor® can be reached at (610) 642-3744, e-mail: jp4re@pahomes.com. Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors® is an independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
