An apartment in Sydney with a balcony garden or terrace large enough to enjoy the benefits of an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, yet low on maintenance, already has an edge over apartments of the same size with less outdoor space. Style this space as carefully as the indoor spaces and you have a real opportunity to maximise your selling price and achieve a quick sale.
As always when styling a property for sale the aim is to focus buyers' attention on your apartment's good points and distract them from any less desirable aspects (such as privacy issues), create a sense of space and appeal to the right demographic. At Spatial Property Styling we have the expertise and the right furnishings and accessories on hand to achieve a look and feel potential buyers will love. And positive emotions inevitably lead to a positive sale.
To make the most of your balcony garden, here are five ways to make sure it stands out.
Greenery to enhance the surroundings
Preparation
Just like your indoor rooms, start by making sure your outdoor space is clean and decluttered. It should be clear of grime and cobwebs, and any built-in planters or furnishings given a freshen up. Any plants that are looking lacklustre (or worse, dead) should go.
Top up the soil in pots and planters and cover any bare soil with mulch or fill in gaps with additional greenery and colourful flowering annuals that will be at their peak at inspection time.
Create some mood lighting with solar lamps or battery-powered LED lights hidden amongst the greenery in case potential buyers ask for a private inspection in the evening.
Now it's time for our styling team to work their magic.
Consider the view from your balcony
Taking in the view
Next, your stylist will consider the view from your balcony garden. A lovely parkland or water view should be given centre stage, with nothing to block it. A less than desirable view or lack of privacy, on the other hand, needs a clever approach to creating a private oasis with tall plants and screens placed to advantage so sunlight gets in and prying eyes do not.
Indoor/outdoor flow
There should be a seamless flow from indoors to out, with the style and colours of outdoor furniture, soft furnishings and accessories reflecting those used indoors. Using bright colours outdoors and neutral tones indoors could look jarring. Your stylist will ensure consistency to create an overall feel of calm and relaxation that will draw potential buyers in when they see the marketing photography, entice them to view your apartment in person and clinch the sale when they inspect your property.
The indoor and outdoor flow
People can't drive by to get a feel for the property with an apartment as they can for a house – so beautifully styled photographs are crucial to getting maximum numbers to open inspections. And the more buyers come to open inspections the more likely there will be a bidding war for your property!
How will your balcony garden be used?
Your stylist will consider the size of your balcony garden and the demographics of likely buyers of your apartment before choosing what furniture will go there. Will buyers be attracted to an entertaining space with an outdoor table and barbecue? Or will they be busy young professionals who will be attracted by a space to relax in the evening with comfortable outdoor armchairs, side tables and soft lighting?
Consider the use and the size of the balcony
Is your kitchen small and basic or designed for the enjoyment of home cooking – in which case the addition of some potted herbs and fresh greens in your balcony garden would be enticing. With working from home or hybrid work a reality for so many is there a space people can work on a laptop outside for part of the day – or to simply take a break from screentime.
Your stylist will consider all these questions and create a stylish setting to suit.
Those final touches
There are so many fabulous outdoor fabrics these days that adding colour and comfort with outdoor upholstery and scatter cushions is a must. In winter your stylist might add a casually draped throw rug over a chair, in summer he or she might add an outdoor umbrella or shade cloth. It's all about a feeling of comfort and implying how the space could be used all year round.
Your stylist may also consider adding a soothing water feature, a decorative metal screen or wall feature and table accessories that all say to potential buyers: “Look, here is a space to relax and enjoy life. To have a calm coffee to start the day, to read a book, to enjoy a wine after work, to entertain friends and, above all, to feel connected to nature and the outdoors without having to go down a lift and leave home.”
Your balcony garden is now ready to wow buyers!
When in doubt – hire a professional
If you need apartment styling in Sydney feel free to reach out to one of our friendly team members and we’ll be happy to assist with any questions you may have. We have been styling properties in Sydney for over 12 years and with our experience, we are confident that you will succeed in achieving a faster purchase at a higher rate than without any styling.
Matching the style for the indoor and outdoor areas
We have seen the ups and downs of the property business and would be happy to recommend you the best styling solutions based on your needs. We also offer partial styling, meaning we would use some of your furniture and hire out the rest from our large warehouse collection. We can also provide a full styling service.
Get in touch with us here for a Free Property Styling Quote, tailored to your property. Or call us on (02) 9417 7193 to speak with one of our expert Stylists.