OUTDOORS
- SPRUCE UP YOUR LAWN.
Look all around your house for eyesores. Keep lawn and shrubbery trimmed, and the yard free of clutter. Keep garden beds weeded and mulched.
- DECORATE YOUR ENTRANCE.
Put a flowering pot on the front step and keep it watered and trimmed.
- CHECK YOUR DRIVEWAY.
Fill potholes in your driveway and tidy up walkways-be sure to pull weeds and check for cracks in cement.
- PATIO FURNITURE;
Clean off your outdoor furniture; remove any rust (or toss out the rusted item).
- GARAGE TO-DO.
Clear out the garage of everything but cars. If your garage has become a 2-car attic, throw out the excess.
- SAGS AND LEAN-TO;
Straighten gutters, the mailbox, the fence––anything that sags.
- DETAILS.
Fix doorbells, tighten loose doorknobs, and oil squeaking hinges.
- BROKEN GLASS.
Repair broken windows and shutters.
INDOORS
- SPIT SHINE.
Clean everything in and out of sight. Shampoo rungs and wax floors. Wash or brush walls. Wash windows and clean blinds and draperies. Make sure upholstery is clean, also.
- THROW IT AWAY.
Weed clutter out of closets and cupboards. Perfect timing––you’ll need to do it when you move anyway.
- CREATE SPACE;
store some of the extra furniture you’ve found useful, but which makes a crowded impression. Bureaus, bookcases, storage chests, oversized chairs can make your rooms too busy to make a good impression.
- GROUP FURNITURE
for easy traffic flow from room to room.
- SCALE DOWN
your personal artwork––portraits, landscapes, posters, signs, and family photos, especially in teenagers’ rooms. Create a feeling of spaciousness. NOTE: If you’re a skilled artist, this tip isn’t applicable.
- ADMIT LIGHT.
Keep shades and draperies open, to admit as much light as possible, but screen out unappealing views.
- KITCHENS.
Let your kitchen look warm and wel-coming, and not a hectic workplace. Keep your sink shining and free of dirty dishes at all times.
- ORGANIZE
cupboards.
- CLEAN
the refrigerator.
- DISPLAY COUNTER TOPS.
Keep them clear, but not empty (unused, too sterile); adorn them with your nicest canisters.
- DEGREASE YOUR OVEN.
Let the kitchen smell fresh and fragrant. (Warm cinnamon smells good.)
- CLEAN LIGHT FIXTURES.
Remove dust, flies, moths, and all debris from your light fixtures.
- BATHROOMS
should be scrubbed, tidy, and equipped with fresh soap, and neatly hung matching towels.
- INSTALL
new washers on dripping faucets, and get rid of all stains.
- FEATURE
(with lighting or a furniture arrangement) your home’s best characteristics. Enhance that fireplace, picture window, balcony, ceiling beams, and unusual kitchen
- SHOW OFF
your neutral paint tones with bold splashes of color.
- PLANTS
add glamour and definition; put them in strategic spots in any room (if space permits).
- LIGHT UP
the whole house, particularly dark spots.
- HANG MIRRORS
where they will reflect outdoor light––they’ll make your room look larger.
