Bright ideas
10 tips for improving your home's lighting before putting it on the market
Far left: Incorporate consistent lighting throughout the home.
Left: Focus on dining areas and entryways to help make a strong first impression.
Below: Select classic finishes, such as brass, brushed nickel or matte black.
DESIGN RECIPES
Lighting is one of the most overlooked yet most impactful elements of attracting a potential buyer to your home. Fixtures that are modern and new help to make a home feel open and airy, while outdated or overly personalized fixtures may make a home feel tired and worn.
If you're looking to put your home on the market, here are some top lighting tips to help make your home feel modern and fresh.
DOs
1 Do replace builder-grade fixtures with those that are more elevated and modern. Builder-grade, flush-mount fixtures tend to feel lower-end.
2 Do choose clean, modern silhouettes. Look for streamlined pendants, simple chandeliers and minimal sconces that feel current but not trendy.
3 Do select classic finishes as opposed to those that are overly personalized or trendy. Matte black, brass and brushed nickel remain popular with potential buyers.
4 Do focus on key areas. These include the entryway, dining area and kitchen. These are often the areas potential buyers see first, and they play a key role in making a strong first impression.
5 Do incorporate consistent lighting throughout the home. While it is not necessary to stick with the same style of lighting in every room, the overall look and feel should be consistent throughout the home.
DON'Ts
1 Don't keep outdated track lighting. Track lighting is one of the least desirable styles of lighting and instantly dates a home.
2 Don't use overly personalized fixtures. While this may work in particular spaces — such as children's rooms — in general overly personalized fixtures can be unappealing to potential buyers.
3 Don't mix too many finishes. Too many competing metals throughout a home can feel disjointed, so keep finishes consistent and intentional.
4 Don't ignore size and scale. Fixtures that are too small disappear, especially in large spaces, while oversized fixtures can overwhelm.
5 Don't overlook lighting color and temperature. Sometimes this is a matter of preference; cool lighting can make a home feel more minimalist and sterile, while warm lighting can help a space feel welcoming. The key is to be consistent.
Cathy Hobbs is the owner of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes, a home staging company based in New York City (www.cathyhobbs.com), and the owner of Highland Passive House, a Home Staging + Design Center based in New York's Hudson Valley (www.highlandpassivehouse.com).
