| David Ball

3 Ways to Give Your Living Room the WOW Factor

Selling your home in Torbay is a big task in itself as there’s so much to prepare. If you’re trying to tackle everything yourself, it can be daunting trying to attract potential buyers, but one of the best ways to do that is to have the right decor that gives off that ‘wow’ factor. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, ‘wow factor’ it is essentially any feature or quality that is impressive and—you’ve guessed it—makes people say ‘wow’ when they see it for the first time! When potential buyers are checking out your home, you want to impress them and get them to imagine their new lives in your home, and a space with a ‘wow factor’ does the trick. 

One of the best spaces to create a wow factor in is your living room because it can be done on a budget and without spending a lot of time and money on renovations. It’s also one of the most used rooms in the home where families gather, where people socialise and entertain guests, and where you wind down after a long day. It’s also one of the most important rooms when showing your home, aside from the kitchen and master bedroom, and is often one of the first rooms people look at when they view a property. 

With this in mind, we have detailed three simple ways to give your living room the wow factor and impress anyone who walks through your door.

1. Choose your furniture carefully

The furniture in your living room obviously makes a major difference when it comes to looking drab and plain or exciting and bold. If you’re staging your home, you have some choice in this department. Choosing pieces of furniture that look cheap or are poor quality doesn’t do anything for the wow factor, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to choose expensive pieces to add flair. You can source vintage pieces or antiques that stand out from the mass produced or highly trendy furniture that a lot of people choose. The goal is to have a living room that stands out, so unique pieces of furniture will certainly accomplish that. 

If you’re working with the furniture you have, try and dress it up or rearrange it so your space is open and interesting. Consider giving old wood furniture a fresh coat of paint or a new stain to brighten them up, or try some DIY tricks to make outdated furniture look fresh and exciting. You can also use contrasting textures to bring some energy and boldness into the room. If your sofa is leather, get a plush throw to hang over it for example. Don’t feel discouraged if you aren’t inspired by the pieces you have – there are plenty of ways to make them exciting without breaking the bank. 

2. Add the right decor

Your decor can make or break a room so when it comes to the wow factor, choosing your decor pieces is especially important. The goal here is to create a focal point in the room where the energy can emanate from and draw people’s attention. Once you have the focal point, you can work from there to bring energy to the rest of the space. 

One great idea for a focal point is a colourful piece of art on the wall or a collage of pieces or artistic photographs that work well together. Hang your art on a wall free of clutter and obstruction so it can really shine in the space. Another idea is to strategically place a large plant in the room where it can make a dramatic statement. Oversized plants are also perfect for drawing the eye towards something else, like a gorgeous fireplace. A final focal point idea would be to have hanging lights over the main seating area or to place a lamp in a corner or next to a sofa where it can really make a statement. 

3. Add a splash of colour

The colour scheme of your room is another imperative aspect to creating the wow factor, so try to stay away from the trendy colour du jour. Again, you want to avoid the styles that seemingly everyone else uses because it is no longer bold and interesting. You want your living room to be memorable and stand out from the crowd, so don’t go for the usual neutrals and instead, go big.

Choose contrasting colours that stand out for your furniture, textiles, decor, and walls. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different palettes – that’s what drives the wow factor. Opt for colourful and bold patterns on accent items like throws, cushions and rugs, rather than plain or solid fabrics. Pick an accent wall and paint it a bright or contrasting colour or put up wallpaper with an interesting pattern.

There are so many ways you can create the wow factor in your home and these three tips are the perfect starting point. Why not experiment with your decor and then call the friendly team at Ridgewater Sales and Lettings on 01803 525100. We will be delighted to offer you feedback and provide you with a free valuation on your property in Torbay .