HARNESS THE POWER OF PAINT TO ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME

Whether you’re thinking of selling your property this year or simply fancy a change of scene indoors, paint is perhaps the easiest answer.

Whether you’re thinking of selling your property this year or simply fancy a change of scene indoors, paint is perhaps the easiest answer.

From gracing the streets of Leytonstone or Wanstead with a freshened-up front door, to colouring a wall or decorating an entire room, there are multiple ways to use paint as a bold or subtle statement: make a room seem bigger or cosier; highlight a particular feature; add interest to an inconspicuous space; or give any part of your property a new lease of life.

If you’re unsure where to start, there are some really useful online resources to get you on your way. Websites like Pinterest, Houzz and Ideal Home are brilliant for design inspiration, while apps from paint manufacturers including Dulux and Crown allow you to upload a photo of your room and then digitally paint it before even lifting a brush.

In just a few hours you can effect dramatic and value-enhancing changes, so let’s waste no more time!

The front door

Particularly when it comes to marketing a property, a dishevelled and peeling front door delivers a fairly poor first impression. But a freshly painted one can lay the foundations of a positive viewing as someone crosses your threshold. For period properties, manufacturers like Farrow & Ball make paints for a classic welcome, while modern homes can often handle something bolder – perhaps an on-trend teal to be totally 2019.

Living and dining rooms

A single feature wall can produce a dramatic enhancement. Estate agents’ photography will always try to shoot towards the outside, so decorating around the window will ensure your efforts get full recognition. Or you could fortify an existing focal point by painting the chimney breast or alcoves.

Studies

Books look great with a strong background colour. Studies are usually smaller rooms but you can get away with a deeper shade by using your hefty tomes to break up the colour. A rich red in a period home could radiate the luxurious flavour of a library or members club, while modern greys help to create an arty, contemporary flair in a newer property.

Bathrooms

With much of the wall space covered by tiles, you won’t need much paint to effect a swift and change in a bathroom. If the tiles aren’t quite full height, the space between the tile line and the ceiling provides an opportunity for a dash of colour, while painting the wall behind a medicine cabinet and wash basin is a sure-fire route to a hotel-style washroom. And if your bathroom has no spare wall space, painting the frame around a window, mirror or picture is a quick and easy win.

Kitchens

It must be said that kitchens are generally about showing off the fittings, so whatever you do should highlight your cupboards, rather than hide them. For timber facades a deep shade can really bring out the natural richness of the grain. Glossy fronts work well with lighter contrasting tones that accentuate and reflect the brightness back off the sheen.

Bedrooms

If you want to replicate the plush show-home look, create a feature wall of colour behind the bed. It really is worth following the experts on this one: a rich tone that contrasts with your bedding will give you a remarkably sumptuous sleeping sanctuary.

Remember: whatever your personal taste, almost any colour can work when used in the right way. If you’d like any advice on what works best when decorating your home to present it to the market, we’d be delighted to help.