When it comes to selling a home, interior design plays a huge role.

There’s nothing worse than a potential buyer spotting a gorgeous home from the outside, taking a look inside and then immediately changing his or her mind. And whether or not you’re staging a home, it’s best to have some general knowledge of interior design – just so you can live in a home with style!

Here at Network Real Estate, we have a few tricks up our sleeves. Check out our list of interior decorating dos and don’ts to ensure you’re making the most of your space.

Dos

Hang artwork at eye level

The general rule of thumb when hanging artwork or photos is that it should be at eye level. If you have to strain your neck to look upward at a piece, it’s too high. Alternatively, bending down in order to see artwork isn’t ideal either.
Sure, you and your guests may be different heights. And ceiling heights may differ substantially from one house to another as well. But generally, stick to a height of around 60 to 65 inches from the floor.

Consider soft lighting

Overhead lighting isn’t always the best option for styling a room. You may need it in the kitchen or bathroom but for living areas, you’ll probably only want to turn it on for cleaning purposes. Pick up a couple of table lamps, or perhaps one larger floor lamp, for everyday use. It will both soften the room and provide more style.

Use area rugs

For homes with hardwood or laminate flooring, area rugs are great (we do not recommend area rugs over carpet). They can really tie a room a together and give it that touch of interest needed, if placed correctly. It’s not a good idea, however, to choose an area rug that’s too small for a room. Rugs should extend under seating arrangements or other furnishings. If you can see every corner of an area rug in a room, you’re doing it wrong.
 

Test paint colors

If you’re considering a paint color, it’s a great idea to buy a sample and test it out first. And we’re not talking about a tiny square either; be generous with the test patch. Cover enough space on the wall so you can see how the color will look with the rest of your room’s furnishings. Never buy a gallon (or more) of paint without testing first.

Don’ts

Make a statement with wall color

Consider the size of a room and its furnishings before making a statement with wall color. If you want to go bold, it’s best to do so in a large room, and only when there are furnishings that also contain hints of the color you’ve chosen. Darker colors will make a small room look smaller, and a bold color that doesn’t match any of your furnishings cannot make a statement on its own. Instead consider purchasing a décor item to add interest to a room.
 

Match everything

We know how tempting it can be to purchase a bed in a bag. All the components – comforter, sheets, pillowcases, bed skirt, pillow shams and accent pillows – are all there. It’s so easy, cheap and convenient. But it’s best to purchase these items separately in order to achieve a styled look. Use a combination of colors and patterns instead. And the same goes with an entire set of matching furniture. Don’t do it! Find individual pieces that accent each other well; you’ll be happier in the long run.
 

Neglect window treatments

If you’ve spent a fortune purchasing expensive plantation blinds for all the windows in your home, don’t think you’re off the hook. It’s absolutely necessary to hang window treatments when decorating a room. Don’t tie yourself down with floor-to-ceiling window panels, either; there are plenty of options to choose from. Explore different window treatment styles online before purchasing, so you can choose what’s best for your room.

Push all furniture against the wall

It’s almost never a good idea to push all the furniture in a room against the wall. Sure, there may be a few exceptions here and there. But in most cases, you’re making a room look stark and uninviting by doing so. There are other ways to make a room look larger, such as using a light paint color. It’s best to group furniture in the center of a room, while also considering traffic and flow patterns.

Now that you have a better sense of the dos and don’ts associated with interior decorating, it should be easier to stage your home for potential buyers. Network Real Estate’s agents have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all stages of selling homes – from staging to showings and beyond. Contact our office today if you’re interested in putting your home on the market. Expert agents, professional service.

Neal Johnson is a CMCA, CRB, CNE and GRI-certified, licensed real estate broker at Network Real Estate, which has exclusively served a high volume of property sales and purchases in the greater Wilmington area for more than 30 years. With three offices at College Road, historic downtown Wilmington and Pleasure Island, Network’s brokers are widespread and well-versed in this marketplace, making Network a preferred real estate company for first-time homebuyers and beyond.