If you’re planning to sell property in Guildford or anywhere else in Surrey and Hampshire, you’re probably keen to make the most of every aspect of your home. You might have tidied up the front garden to improve kerb appeal, or given the bathroom grout a really good going over with a toothbrush. And if certain areas of your property are dark or lack natural light, it’s important to make the most of them to attract the right buyer.

In this blog, we look at the pros and cons of rooms with little or no natural light, and how to make the most of them when it’s time to sell your property.

Do you need natural light in a room?

Rooms with natural light are usually the most attractive to buyers. Natural light means you can see easily without turning on an electric light; it’s also good for mental health. But that doesn’t mean that buyers will write off a property with dark corners, or even one where not every room has a window. 

Sometimes, there are positives to be gained from a dark room. For example, if there isn’t much light because there is a big tree or a wall creating shadow, remember that this also makes the room more private. For some buyers, privacy is a very attractive feature and one worth highlighting. 

How to make the most of a dark room

When a room is naturally dark, or lacks windows altogether, presentation is very important. 

Start with what you call it! For example, if you have a windowless basement, it could be a real asset as a utility room or storage area, but it’s unlikely to make an appealing reception room. Referring to it as a utility room could be a strong selling point. And if there is no plumbing down there, you can still call it a storage area to make it appeal to buyers with lots of stuff. 

How you decorate the room also matters. If you have some natural light but the room is still dark, use a mirror or two to reflect what light there is. You could also choose a light colour scheme to make the room seem bigger.

A dark room is also an excuse for some lovely lighting! Lighting is a great way to create atmosphere. Of course, you may be taking your own lights with you, but showing potential buyers how they could light the space could give them the inspiration they need. 

Depending on the room, it could be worth making a feature of its darkness. Using a dark colour scheme could make the space more dramatic. And if you enhance it with some exciting contrasting textures like wood and metal, leather and velvet, you can also create depth and atmosphere. Again, you will likely take your furnishings with you when you move but you can still showcase the space and give buyers some useful ideas. 

Above all, remember that you’re selling the whole property, not just the dark room. If you can make the most of the property’s other advantages, you could well persuade buyers to accept a windowless room or dark corner. 

Sell property in Guildford

If you have property to sell in Guildford, we’d love to help! Our team have great local knowledge of West Surrey’s property market and extensive sales experience. To find out more, get in touch today on 01483 457 000.