A home with amazing accents is a home that’s practically sold! Think colour accents that is!
Not that I don’t love a sultry Australian accent, but for the purpose of a real estate, home staging and interior design blog – I’ll stick to what’s fitting. Accents of colour allow creative minds to express themselves and bring a room to life.
It also allows you the ability to change the flow of the room as frequently as you want – on a budget – if done properly.
This is especially exciting for someone like myself who likes to change a room around often.
I’m going to look at the topic of accent colours from two different perspectives:
A REAL ESTATE PERSPECTIVE – BUYING OR SELLING
Whether you are looking to buy a house, or ready to list your home in the real estate market, colour scheme and flow are definitely something to think about.
As a potential buyer it’s hard not to be distracted by the ruby red walls of a living room, the bubble gum pink walls of a little girls room, or an outrageously loud orange space that probably had an “oops” afterthought.
Either way, the accents you choose, may regrettably, influence the decision of a potential buyer who may have wanted to snatch up your property.
“But it’s only paint!” you say. Have you ever said, “I can’t wait to paint!” – not many of us do say that unless of course we are painters.
And even then, I don’t believe you love to paint. Hiring a professional painter can be costly and not in the budget of the new home owner. Maybe the deciding factor between your home and someone else’s is that “ready to move in” quality.
Perhaps your loud coloured walls were just so distracting that the potential buyer wasn’t able to focus on the great qualities your home has to offer.
An easy fix for both the buyer and your need to express yourself is painting one accent wall. Trust me, it has the same effect. It allows the space to subtly scream personality without bleeding red-rum all over your walls.
Not to mention, one wall is much easier to paint than four. Try it, you might like it.
Alternatively – you could go to my other post and read “50 shades of Grey in Real Estate” – paint your home in neutral colours and accent your space with throw pillows, drapery, an accent chair, or accessories.
Side note: the topic of accessories is a very sensitive subject.
Please proceed with caution – and beware – a home hoarded with accessories, nik-naks or what I like to call, house gnomes, is not a happy home once it’s been placed on the real estate market.
Now the loud colours are toned down, creating an understated enthusiasm, and your buyer knows the crazy colours are going with you – where they belong. Just a suggestion.
A HOME STAGING PERSPECTIVE
You are the designer and your home is your canvas. This is exactly how I think of my home. I could rearrange my house a million times over, changing each rooms “flow” without having to spend another dime (unless of course I find myself in Home Sense – gets me every time).
This is because my walls remain neutral and my accents abundant. Over the years my husband and I have collected accent pieces that complement each other.
I have an array of throw pillows and art work that can be interchanged. I do this because when I feel like sprucing up a space – I throw a splash of colour without ever having to lift a paint brush. It feels so good.
Home staging doesn’t have to mean you’re prepping your home for sale. It can mean you’re prepping your home to live in. Comfortably. Without getting sick of every wild choice you’ve made over a glass of wine, or two.
It allows you to be creative without having to make drastic changes to walls colours and lets you change on a fairly easy whim.
And for that chance you decide to list your home – it’s already ready for the market. Your real estate agent doesn’t need to offend you by stating your loud coloured walls might scare away offers. It’s a win-win situation. Everyone will be happy – including you.
A very drastic, bold look is not as easy to change but a subtle accent wall creates a focal point for the room, and if a buyer doesn’t like it – it’s easy to change! Accent accessories – easy to change! (and buyers can appreciate your design whether they like it or not – because its going with you).
For more information on the buying and selling process, please contact me, Kate Broddick, Your Partner in Real Estate!
