We have learned in our IDFP course that the amount of natural light that enters our property translates into a valuable feel of wider room.

We limit the amount of furniture to achieve a stronger sense of space; we de-clutter our shelves and our cabinetry to make rooms feel larger and more relaxing. But what about outside? Is our garden affecting the view from our windows? Are all those beautiful green branches needed so close to our home, and do they affect the amount of natural light?

Whether selling or renting out, the “view” from our property plays a strong role in affecting the value we can and should achieve. Plants can screen us from unwanted street noise, protect our privacy and add natural beauty to our property. But light is also necessary to our physical and emotional wellbeing, and it plays a huge role in creating the feeling of space. As we all crave light, your possible buyers will also respond positively to your home with the more natural light you can provide.

So, can we improve this factor? Can we increase the amount of precious natural light into our homes and through our windows?

Yes we can:

1. Walk in each of your rooms and from the doorway look through the window. Can the outlook be opened? Can more light be allowed in?
2. Walk outside in the garden and consider first which plants are important in defending your privacy. Which one helps keeping street noise out, or which one protects you from too much sun exposure and heat.
3. Trimming just the height of some bushes and tress, or maybe thinning them out, will allow the sky to be seen from inside your home while keeping your privacy intact.
4. Remove unwanted branches that reach too close to your windows, or close to the walls and gutters.
5. Look to medium sized plants to allow ‘green’ to be seen from inside the house, whilst still allowing an expansive view.
6. Is there a ‘view’ to be enjoyed? Let’s maximise it by trimming branches away. Looking out gives the feeling of a larger living space inside your homes without moving one wall.

Walking back inside the house we can now go from room to room again and enjoy the spaces, brighter with natural light. As we know well, ‘brighter’ translates in ‘larger’. So, haven’t we just achieved the sense of a bigger property?

Now you’re really ready for the Open House.