Buyers love looking around beautiful homes….but first they have to see beautiful photographs, which is why here at Stowhill Estates we only use the very best photographers to create beautiful pictures and bespoke brochures for every home we sell.

One of our mantras is: ‘The way you SELL your home is very different to the way you LIVE in your home.’  So how do you present your home so that it looks its very best for photography and viewings, yet still retains its character and style?

It only takes 8 seconds for a buyer to decide if they love your property from the moment they step through the front door. Adding welcoming warmth, luxury, and cosy comfort are all key in persuading a buyer to book a viewing and then fall in love with your home.

Property styling isn’t complicated; a little spend on the right accessories can go a long way.  Beautifully styled properties attract more clicks on Rightmove, more viewings and more offers.  And the best thing about buying some special accessories for your home….you get to take them all away with you to the next one!

Here’s our 12 Stylist secrets to help your home look straight out of the pages of Country Living!

Flowers – there’s nothing quite like a few beautifully arranged bunches of fresh flowers to lift the mood and add style to a home.  The trick is to make sure that they match not only the style of your home but the room itself.  For example, a bunch of long, elegant lilies can look great on a hallway console table, whilst a bunch of rustic roses and freesias in a vintage milk jug are perfect for a rustic country kitchen.  Add seasonal colour for extra impact – russets and reds for winter, yellows and pinks for summer.  If in doubt, stick to neutrals – a huge bunch of white and cream roses, freesias and peonies is always in style.  Don’t substitute with silk flowers and make sure they’re fresh for every viewing – nothing makes a house look more unloved than a bunch of wilting blooms in the corner!


Fruit – one of our top staging secrets is to fill a big glass vase full of fruit of just one type. Fresh lemons and limes look amazing in a tall glass vase on a kitchen island.  Bright oranges or green shiny apples also look fab when displayed in a large shallow glass bowl.  Be generous and don’t skimp on the numbers –  3 or 4 just looks half hearted – make sure you have at least 10-15 pieces of fruit.  It’s cheap and really effective.


Towels –the most luxurious hotels have fluffy towels in abundance! if you can afford it, invest in some new, soft towels to display in your bathrooms.  Towels should always be white, fluffy and clean, so make sure no-one else uses them by putting them away after each viewing. 


Lay on the Lifestyle – a bottle of bubbly and two flutes on a table for two can add a romantic flavour to your property photographs. If you have a real fire or logburner, light it in the cooler months.  In the summer, throw open the patio doors to the garden and have the outside table laid ready for an alfresco meal.


Beautiful Bed Linen – especially for the master bedroom, where it matters most to your buyers. Choose a subtle style that isn’t too garish or flowery, add some cushions and a good quality throw.  For the other bedrooms, adding new plain bedding with some tasteful cushions and throws can update them inexpensively.  Check out interiors magazines for ideas on how to present beds at their best.


Create a comfortable atmosphere – a lovely ambience in your home will encourage your viewers to linger. Play relaxing background music (we love Radio 3 or Smooth played quietly in the background), light table lamps and add scented candles in subtle fragrances to provide the finishing touch.


Indulgent toiletries – now is the time to bring out those luxury lotions and potions you’ve been given for Christmas and birthdays! Brands matter in bathrooms so hide the Radox and bring out the Jo Malone!  Other brands that impress include The White Company, Noble Isle and Molton Brown.


R&R Corner – creating a little corner for rest and relaxation is easy; all you need is a comfy chair, and a side table with a lamp. Then pick some luxury magazines, or a decorative coffee table book.  Add a stylish coffee cup to complete the look and let your viewers imagine themselves in your little corner of heaven!


Cushions – a really easy and relatively inexpensive way to instantly update the look of your living room, and add colour, texture and interest at the same time. Try an accent colour that complements the decoration in the room; perhaps take inspiration from a piece of art, or a favourite ornament.  And choose cushions in plain but textured fabric, so they don’t easily date.


Rugs – a large, deep rug can transform a room, adding warmth and style. You don’t have to spend a fortune on them – shops such as IKEA and Dunelm Mill have some amazing, affordable styles.  Plain is always better than patterns and long tufts are better than a flat pile.  Rugs are also a brilliant way to disguise a dated carpet.  Place under a coffee table to add a touch of cosiness.


Tempt their taste buds – a Victoria sponge cake on a pretty cake stand, with a cafetiere of coffee looks fabulous in a brochure. Or try a stylish teapot with a plate of scones and strawberries – colourful and delicious!


Don’t forget outside – a few special touches to the outside of your home can make a big difference. Try adding a flowering pot plant to the centre of your patio table, and some candle lanterns for a pretty welcome.  A string of fairy lights across a terrace can transform it into a romantic spot your viewers will fall in love with.


Want some extra moving tips, or want to know more about how we can help you move home?

Call us on 01235 751888