Declutter. Think roomy. Create space. Make sure all floors, surfaces, cupboards and shelves are free of piles of your own belongings, leaving only organised, purposeful items and one or two ornamental items that elevate the space rather than merely fill it. As well as making the house appear neat, tidy and well looked after, it will also help potential buyers visualise their own furniture and belongings in the property. 

Keep it fresh. Staged homes are often graced with pricey fresh flower arrangements, but you can get a similar effect simply by raiding your own garden! New magnolia clippings or unfurling fern fronds herald the arrival of spring, summer blooms add splashes of happy colour, reddy brown foliage warms up your decor on chilly autumn days and winter roses bring a rosy glow in winter.

Light it right. If you’re thinking roomy then you have to think not gloomy. One of the things that makes staged homes look so warm and welcoming is great lighting. Aim for a total of 100 watts for each 5 square metres. Don’t depend on just one or two fixtures per room, either. Make sure you have three types of lighting: ambient (general or overhead), task (pendant, under-cabinet or reading) and accent (table and wall).

Don’t make it personal. We hinted at this in the declutter section but it needs to be emphasised. Depersonalise rooms by removing belongings such as photographs and clothes – buyers don’t need to see your space, they want to imagine theirs.

Be neutral. This is not the time to make a bold statement with a complex piece of art in your living room. It’s also not the time to freshen up your paintwork with an avant garde trend from the pages of Vogue. Keep it simple. You want to keep the palette fairly neutral so potential buyers feel they can stamp their own personality on it.

When all is said and done, the golden rule is: Highlight your home’s strengths, downplay its weaknesses and you’ll appeal to the greatest possible pool of prospective buyers.