Is your bedroom reducing the price of your property? Expert reveals the mistakes making it look ‘cramped’ and ‘outdated’ – and the affordable ways to make it more attractive to buyers
Everyone knows prospective homebuyers are turned off by unkempt gardens or grotty bathrooms – but now, an expert has revealed the other part of the home that is key to selling your property… the bedroom.
From clothes strewn all over the floor to clashing bedsheets and odd lighting, there are a number of off-putting features which could make people think twice before putting an offer in.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Deirdre Mc Gettrick, CEO of uFurnish.com, shared it’s ‘one of the most overlooked rooms when it comes to selling a home’.
‘People spend hours getting the kitchen and living room right, then leave the bedroom as an afterthought. But buyers spend a third of their life in that room, and they notice,’ she explained.
‘A few small, inexpensive changes can completely shift how expensive and restful a bedroom feels, without any renovation at all.’
From outdated furniture to inefficiently used space, Deirdre shared the biggest mistakes which could be reducing the value of your property – and what you can do to win over buyers…
Oversized furniture
Stacey Solomon pictured posing for a photo in her bedroom which is decorated in a cream colour scheme
‘A bed that’s too big for the room is one of the most common mistakes sellers make,’ she said.
‘If you can barely walk around the bed, or the wardrobe doors can’t fully open, buyers register that as a problem with the room, not just the furniture – and they’ll be thinking that if the rooms are small, their offer should reflect that.
‘It’s worth being honest about the room’s actual proportions – a double might suit the space far better than a king, and it instantly makes the room feel more workable rather than cramped.
‘On uFurnish you can filter beds by size, which is a useful exercise even in reverse – measure your room first, then work out what size would actually flatter it.’
Cluttered surfaces
Another common mistake is leaving surfaces cluttered, Deirdre revealed.
‘Bedside tables piled with books and chargers makes the room look as though there’s a lack of storage, and chaotic – not a home that commands a luxury price tag,’ she explained.
‘Clear every surface down to the essentials, and if wardrobes are overflowing, it’s worth decluttering your belongings before a viewing.
‘A slim ottoman or storage bench at the foot of the bed is a good way to add extra storage without taking up much visual space.’
Mismatched furniture
Lydia Bright, TV personality, has shared photos of her renovation on social media such as this bedroom
A unique interiors style may work for you – but if it veers on the side of being too rogue, buyers may be turned off.
‘You may well have quirky style, but when you’re selling your home, make sure your bedroom furniture matches otherwise the room will feel disjointed,’ the expert said. ‘It doesn’t need to be expensive to fix.
‘If a piece is beyond saving, it’s often cheaper to replace just that one item – a chest of drawers or bedside table – in a matching tone, rather than a full furniture overhaul.’
No defined dressing or seating area
Even if a bedroom is small, it can be made to feel more dynamic and spacious with a dedicated seating area.
And on the other side, ‘in a larger bedroom, leaving space unused or filled with random storage boxes is a missed opportunity’.
Deirdre said that making ‘zones’ in a large room ‘gives it a purpose and seems aspirational’.
‘Even a small accent chair with a side table by the window, or a slim bench at the foot of the bed, makes the space feel more considered and higher-end,’ she added.
Affordable ways to make a bedroom feel more expensive
Invest in good bedding, not new furniture
Deidre said: ‘Crisp white bedding, layered with a textured throw and a couple of cushions, instantly makes a bedroom feel like a hotel. It’s one of the cheapest transformations you can do, and it photographs beautifully for listings too.’
Chloe Sims’ bedroom features crisp white bedding and cushions
Add a headboard
‘A bed frame without a headboard can look unfinished, however good the room otherwise is,’ the expert explained.
‘A simple upholstered headboard adds a real sense of comfort and cost to a room for relatively little outlay – there’s a huge range on uFurnish, from boucle to linen to rattan, depending on the style of the room, and it’s an easy way to filter by budget too.’
Maximise natural light
Lighting that’s too dark – or on the other hand, overwhelmingly bright – can completely change how a room feels.
‘Keep curtains or blinds fully open for viewings, and if the room has heavy, dark curtains, consider swapping them for something lighter, like a linen or voile.’
Use a large mirror
‘A full-length or oversized mirror does two jobs- it makes the room feel bigger, and it bounces natural light around the space,’ Deidre advised.
Introduce texture through rugs
A good way to add more dimension without taking up storage space is to cover the flooring.
‘A rug either side of the bed, or one large rug underneath it, softens the room and adds warmth underfoot,’ the pro shared.
‘It’s a small addition that makes a bedroom feel finished and considered, rather than sparse.’
Amanda Holden had softened the dark wood flooring of her bedroom with a large cream rug
