First impressions matter when selling a home, and few people understand that better than Yvonne from The Coastal House. Working with homeowners across the South Hams, Yvonne has seen firsthand how thoughtful presentation can completely transform the way buyers connect with a property. Here, she shares her practical tips for creating a home buyers can truly picture themselves living in.
We started by asking her what makes a property stand out out?
“Preparing your home for sale is about far more than a quick tidy before photographs or rushing around before a viewing. The way your home feels the moment buyers walk through the door can shape their entire impression and often determines whether they emotionally connect with the space at all.
At The Coastal House, beautifully presented homes consistently stand out. Buyers are naturally drawn to properties that feel calm, spacious and well cared for, which is why preparing your home properly before it goes to market can make such a difference.
The good news is that creating this feeling doesn’t require expensive renovations or professional home staging. Often, the most effective changes are the simplest – decluttering, creating space and thinking ahead to your own upcoming move.
Start Preparing Early
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is leaving everything until the last minute. Packing, sorting and organising an entire home during moving week quickly becomes stressful and overwhelming.
Instead, think of preparing your property for sale as the first stage of your move.
By starting early, you can gradually work through your home room by room, deciding what you genuinely want to take with you to your next property and what no longer serves a purpose. Not only does this make moving easier later on, but it also helps your current home feel lighter, cleaner and more spacious for buyers.
At The Coastal House, sellers are always encouraged to present their homes in a way that allows buyers to picture themselves living there. That becomes much easier when rooms feel open and uncluttered.
Declutter With Buyers in Mind
When you live in a property every day, it’s easy to stop noticing how much has gradually accumulated over time. Kitchen worktops become crowded, wardrobes become overfilled and spare rooms often turn into storage spaces without us even realising.
Buyers, however, notice everything.
A good place to start is by sorting belongings into three simple categories: keep, donate or sell, and throw away.
Clearing surfaces instantly makes kitchens and bathrooms feel larger, while removing excess furniture improves flow throughout the home. Overfilled shelves, piles of paperwork and personal items can distract buyers from seeing the property itself.
Depersonalising also helps. Family photographs, children’s artwork and highly individual décor can make it harder for viewers to imagine their own lives unfolding there.
The aim is not to create a cold or empty space, but a welcoming environment where buyers can emotionally connect with the home.
Why Storage Facilities Can Be So Helpful
One of the easiest ways to achieve this without permanently parting with your belongings is by using an off-site storage facility.
Many homeowners try to hide clutter in garages, lofts or spare bedrooms before viewings, but buyers almost always look inside these areas. Crowded storage spaces can unintentionally make the entire property feel smaller.
Moving non-essential belongings into storage immediately creates more breathing room throughout the house. Wardrobes appear larger, rooms feel brighter and buyers can better appreciate the proportions of the property.
Storage can also make your own move far more manageable.
Items you won’t need for the next few months – seasonal clothing, books, decorative accessories or bulky furniture – can be packed away early rather than becoming a last-minute headache. By the time your sale completes, much of the hard work is already done.
For families especially, this can make everyday life feel significantly calmer while the property is on the market.
Focus on Light, Space and Flow
Once clutter has been reduced, you’ll often be surprised by how different your home feels.
Natural light becomes more noticeable, rooms appear larger and the overall atmosphere feels calmer and more inviting. Simple adjustments such as rearranging furniture, opening curtains fully and adding soft lighting can make a remarkable difference.
At The Coastal House, beautifully presented homes often share the same qualities – they feel easy to walk through, well-balanced and welcoming from the moment buyers arrive.
Small finishing touches matter too. Fresh flowers, neatly made beds and clear worktops help create a polished feel without appearing overly staged.
Helping Buyers Fall in Love With Your Home
Ultimately, buyers are not simply purchasing a property – they are imagining a future lifestyle.
A well-prepared home allows them to focus on the space, the light and how they might live there themselves, rather than becoming distracted by clutter or overcrowded rooms.
By decluttering early, using storage wisely and approaching the process as part of your own move, you not only create a more appealing home for buyers, but also make your eventual move far less stressful for yourself.
And when moving day finally arrives, you’ll be glad you started sooner rather than later”.
