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Buying a home isn’t just about ticking boxes—bedrooms, bathrooms, and land size. At its core, it’s an emotional decision. Buyers are drawn to homes that feel right, even if they can’t quite explain why. This is where styling plays a critical role. The right presentation can make your property feel inviting, well-maintained, and, most importantly, like home.
So, how do the experts do it? Here’s what stylists and top agents focus on to create that all-important emotional connection.
First Impressions Start Outside
The moment a buyer sees your home, they’re forming an opinion. If the exterior looks like a maintenance headache, they’ll walk in already counting the cost of repairs. A well-presented facade, however, sets a completely different tone.
Ben Fisher, director of Fisher Estate Agents, always tells sellers that their home should look easy to maintain. "Buyers shouldn’t walk in thinking, there’s a lot of work to do here," he says.
Trimming the hedges, mowing the lawn, and edging the garden are non-negotiables. But it’s the extra steps - cleaning out gutters, pressure-washing paths, and freshening up tired paint - that make a home look truly cared for. Even something as simple as sparkling-clean windows can shift a buyer’s perception.
"A run-down exterior makes people wonder what else has been neglected," Ben explains. "If your home feels well-maintained, buyers will assume it’s been looked after properly, inside and out."
Light is Everything
Lighting has a powerful effect on mood, and it’s one of the simplest ways to transform a space. While natural light is great for photos, on inspection day, your home should be glowing.
"Open every blind, turn on every light, and if you have lamps - use them," Ben advises. "Even overhead lights, which I wouldn’t normally recommend, should be on. The lighter, the better."
A bright home feels fresh, clean, and spacious. Dim, shadowy rooms, on the other hand, can create a sense of dampness or concealment, which makes buyers uneasy.
Fresh Air Beats Artificial Fragrance
Scent is incredibly powerful, but it’s also deeply personal. One person’s ‘luxurious vanilla candle’ is another person’s ‘headache in a jar.’
While some sellers go overboard with room sprays or expensive candles, Ben recommends a more natural approach. "The best scent is no scent - just fresh, clean air," he says. "Open windows, let the breeze flow through, and remove anything that could hold strong odours, like pet beds."
Many homeowners become ‘nose-blind’ to their own spaces, especially when it comes to pets. But buyers notice. "Animal smells linger. Even if the house is spotless, that scent can turn people off."
A simple trick? Mowing the lawn before an open home. The scent of fresh-cut grass instantly signals ‘clean and well-kept’ to buyers, without feeling forced.
Declutter - But Be Smart About It
We all know that decluttering makes a home feel bigger. But there’s a fine line between ‘minimalist’ and ‘sterile.’
For Ben, it’s about removing distractions. "Family photos, personal memorabilia, and dog toys should all be packed away," he says. "Buyers need to see themselves in the home, and too many personal items make that harder."
Storage also plays a huge role in buyer perception. "People open every cupboard, and if they’re crammed full, it raises a red flag - is there enough storage here? Make sure everything looks neat and spacious."
The Right Furniture Can Make or Break a Room
One of the biggest styling mistakes sellers make is using small furniture in big spaces. It seems logical—a small couch should make a room feel bigger, right? Actually, the opposite is true.
"It’s a common misconception," Ben says. "A tiny sofa and a small rug shrink a room’s proportions. Large pieces, used correctly, make a space feel grand and functional."
If you’re selling a four-bedroom family home but have a two-seater couch, it sends the wrong message. "Buyers struggle to picture their whole family fitting in," he explains. "The right scale of furniture helps them imagine living there comfortably."
Professional stylists often bring in high-end pieces specifically designed to elevate a space. "It’s not unusual for a stylist to install $60,000 to $150,000 worth of furniture during a campaign," Ben notes. "The transformation is remarkable."
The Secret to a Cohesive Look
Ever walked into a professionally styled home and thought, “Why does this look so polished?” One of the key tricks’ designers use is colour repetition.
"When you repeat a colour throughout a space, it creates a sense of harmony," Ben explains. "For example, if you have oak flooring, bring in an oak coffee table or picture frame. These subtle connections tie a room together."
A simple way to achieve this is by editing. "Start by removing all colourful items from a room, then slowly reintroduce a maximum of two or three complementary shades. This helps create a balanced, intentional look rather than a cluttered, mismatched one."
The Bottom Line
Styling isn’t just about making a home look nice—it’s about making buyers feel at home. From first impressions to lighting, scent, and furniture choice, every detail influences how a property is perceived.
"Buyers make emotional decisions," Ben says. "If your home feels bright, fresh, spacious, and well-maintained, you’re already halfway to a sale."
