Everest industry news

24 April 2008

Homeowners looking to market properties should adopt clean, simple and modern aesthetics in order to help deliver that "wow factor", an interior design specialist has recommended.

Hugh Jamieson, senior designer with the award-winning At Home consultancy, is also urging landlords and sellers to consider the latest integrated technologies, while keeping their basic designs "fairly simple".

Layered curtains and blinds to cover windows are one of the latest trends, he revealed, tipping integrated lighting and media technology as "a good investment".

Avoiding anything too "fashionable or outlandish", while keeping the interior space "comfortable rather than dreary" and "practical, not boring" can help sell or let, said the At Home expert.

The British Interior Design Association fellow continued: "It's got to be clean and tidy and the interiors have to look of the moment, not 20-years-old and looking as though it needs a total refurbishment.

"At the same time, you do need a bit of a wow factor to make it a bit special," he added, suggesting a bold mirror, paintings or photographs on the walls.

A large mirror can make a room appear much larger, as can bold stripes used appropriately, Mr Jamieson also mentioned.

Letting in plenty of natural light always helps impress prospective tenants or buyers, but old-fashioned windows can also let out a great deal of warmth, using up unnecessary fuel for heating.

Double glazing offers the best of all worlds - helping reduce your carbon footprint, lowering energy bills and diminishing the impact of outside noise.