How to stage your home

A sense of space and lots of natural light are key factors that impress househunters, so make sure that you do everything in your power to maximise them. While window dressings are important in creating a certain style in a room, always remember that the primary function of windows is to let light in.

Windows determine the view and the amount of natural light that enters a room and great care should be taken to ensure that window dressing does not interfere with these valuable commodities.

If you are undertaking a major remodelling job, replacing old windows with larger ones can be a great idea and new windows can seriously transform the feel of a room.

However, there are lots of other ways of maximising the amount of natural light coming through your windows. Rule number one: avoid blocking the natural light coming in the window. A good trick is to go for long curtain poles so that, when your windows are fully open, your curtains are not blocking the glass.

Place a mirror on the wall opposite a window to capitalise on the natural light and sense of space created by the window. If at all possible, avoid placing furniture in front of larger windows. Similarly, as a rule, it's advisable to avoid placing lots of bits and pieces on the windowsills. However, if you are blessed with lots of natural light and a nice view, you could consider placing an eye-catching statue or plant in the window. It can create quite a dramatic look and can have the effect of drawing the eye out the window and thus extending the room.

If, on the other hand, you have to contend with a nasty or dreary view, consider blinds, stained glass or a colour treatment on the glass. They will hide the view without sacrificing too much light.