1. Paint

Update and upgrade your property by using just two basic colours – perhaps one neutral and a white – and then an added accent colour (which could also be natural wood) as your contrasting colour. Pay attention to whatever features you want to enhance, e.g. around windows, interesting doors, and feature walls.

Also pay attention to whatever else may need painting – the roof, metal or wooden gates, garage doors. Do you have wooden wardrobe doors or wooden entry doors, and does this make the space seem darker and smaller? Paint them white, or the same shade as the walls, to bounce light and make the space feel larger!

Painting immediately uplifts any property giving it a clean, cared-for, and well-maintained look.

2. Light Fittings

Should you have any lights that are not working – repair or replace them.

If you have any outdated or unattractive light fittings (left there from previous owners), update them with something more contemporary. This need not be expensive – there are many choices out there – and make sure you choose styles that are fitting to the house. Pay attention to visual accuracy: are they hanging too high, too low, or aren’t positioned properly? This is an important factor in further enhancing any room.

3. Door Handles and Cupboard Handles

Replace old-fashioned or perhaps “cheap-looking” door handles with elegant, shaped, contemporary ones. There is an amazing choice in hardware shops alone, and these need not be expensive. Take comfort into consideration when choosing – some handles are very uncomfortable to use.

Changing wardrobe or cupboard door handles or knobs also makes a quick transformation. It’s important to keep continuity and visual flow in mind.

4. Light Switch Covers

A lot of people overlook the importance of these when upgrading. They are easy to replace and will immediately uplift a room. I tend to go for covers that blend in with or are compatible with the colour of the walls, but you may want to draw attention to really elegantly designed covers to create features of their own – keeping style continuity or the style of the house in mind, either in a large open living area or in one room.

5. Flooring

As flooring contributes to a large portion of our visual attention when entering a home, pay attention to its condition. Should you have carpets in various rooms and they are worn, then replace them (carpeting is no longer expensive and can be replaced very easily from a wide choice). If your carpets are in good condition, they may just need a good steam cleaning to make them look and smell good.

Sand and re-varnish any wooden floors that look scuffed or are not even in colour, or alternatively use paint and a good-wearing clear varnish to enhance any wooden floor (this includes parquet flooring). Concrete floors are also very easy to paint and can make quite an impact. Inexpensive rugs also make an immediate impact.

6. Greenery

Either in pots or beds, placed at entrances or small unnoticed boring spaces (“dead spaces”) or just about anywhere to create interest and softness. Greenery immediately lifts a space and gives it a loved, lived-in, and welcoming feeling.