Putting your house on the market?

"If you're selling a property you will know how tough the market is, so it's even more imperative that your house is presented perfectly and stands out from the crowd. The effort you put in will be worthwhile.”

Jo Woodward, Property Stylist, Sienna Interiors

Follow Jo’s top tips to make your property stand out.

1. Clear the clutter: Mess all too easily becomes familiar junk, making rooms look smaller. Tidy-away family photos and books. Donate unused items to the nearest charity shop.

2. Clean, clean, clean: Elbow grease can add more value to your house than almost anything else. The kitchen and bathroom are the two most important rooms, but don't stop there. Dust every surface, ornament and lampshade you possess.

3. Make an entrance: Make sure all entrances are uncluttered, warm and welcoming. Mark the path to your front door with potted plants on either side. Fresh flowers are welcoming.

4. Neutralise your walls: Potential buyers won't be able to visualise themselves living in your home if the walls are bright, patterned or just plain ugly. Paint them in light, neutral colours. Introduce splashes of colour through accessories.

5. Maximise natural light: You can make a world of difference to a dark entrance hall with a strategically placed mirror. Check your curtains and blinds are not blocking light by covering windows too much. Replace dark or heavily patterned carpets.

6. Restore & repair: Do all those little jobs round the house that you've always meant to finish. Unfinished projects signal to a potential buyer that there may be other, more significant aspects of the house that have been left undone. They are not going to love this house if you clearly haven't.

7. Define each room: Ensure that every room has a clear function and purpose Emphasise the existence of a dining room by clearing away children's toys. Organise some storage systems so that the principal function of the room they are in remains clearly defined.

8. Maximise space: Too much furniture, or furniture which is too big, can make a room feel cramped. Move furniture around and remove unnecessary pieces to maximise space.

9. Ditch the dog: Ask a friend to be brutally honest with you. Does your house smell? Eliminate unpleasant smells and banish pets to a willing friend's while you are showing people round. Get rid of pet hair too - brush and vacuum until you're sure it's gone.

10. Sense appeal: Once everything looks wonderful add extra life and pleasant scents into your home with fresh flowers, green plants, essential oils and scented candles. Appeal to as many senses as possible; for viewings quiet calming music will help buyers feel relaxed.

Jo undertook personal training with TVs House Doctor Ann Maurice, specialising in presenting properties for sale and is proud to be part of her network of Senior Property Presentation Consultants in the UK today. Contact Jo on 07921565829 to book your consultation or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Before: Clutter - every house seller's worst enemy

After: Looking lighter, brighter and twice the size