How to stage your home

Making the most of what you have is the key to getting a good price for your home and creating a good sense of light and space around your house is very important.

If your hallway is dark and dreary you are definitely not creating the right first impression.

Even the smallest and darkest entrance hall can be improved with a bit of imagination.

The easiest way to introduce a sense of space and light into a hall is to get decluttering and whip out your paintbrush.

Go for neutral colours. Pure white can be a bit too much so opt for a warm cream or soft yellow.

These colours look good any time of the day or year. Avoid patterned wallpapers, which will make the hall feel smaller.

If you have a window make sure to make the most of it and don't have anything blocking out any precious light. A neutral transparent voile curtain is better than a heavy curtain, providing a bit of privacy but maximising light.

Getting the lighting right is very important in the entrance hall.

Wall-mounted uplights are a great way of brightening up shady areas.

For a finishing touch, introduce a feature piece in you hall for dramatic effect.

An antique-style chandelier, console table or ornate mirror can make a lovely classical statement in a period home.

For modern homes, a funky piece of furniture or unusual piece of sculpture can make a really strong opening statement.

Whatever else, do remove all traces of sports gear, outdoor shoes and coats from the hall.

Remember a hall is the opening line of your sales pitch - not a dumping ground for miscellaneous items.