Before you schedule an open house, plan a fix-up day or two to get your home looking and working fabulously

From The Home Depot

1. 1. Bright ideas. Designers know the atmosphere-making power of great lighting, so make sure your fixtures are in good shape before you bring prospective buyers into your home. Consider also updating tired designs. There are simple and good-looking options on the market that will instantly freshen up a room—and that come at affordable prices. And think about the little things: It may seem obvious but check that no bulbs are blown and that fixtures, indoor and out, are dust-free. After all, a bright space is a welcoming space.
   2. Gem-like details. Taps and faucets, cabinet pulls and handles, are the jewels of a room. Or at least they can be. By updating older cupboards with new pulls, a kitchen sink with a modern new gooseneck fixture or a bathroom with shimmering new taps, you will impress visitors without breaking the bank. And while you’re surveying what needs renewing, take care of any dripping taps or leaky pipes that might indicate a degree of neglect or future expenses to an onlooker.
   3. Fabulous floors. Floors are the foundation of your décor: Make use of their power to persuade. Carpets should get a thorough cleaning before any realtor appointments and wood floors also. If the latter are looking a little worse for wear, layer on an area rug or two—they ground a space, provide a sense of style and warmth, and camouflage wear and tear. Don’t, however, dismiss the notion of a more extensive makeover. Look to affordable vinyl and laminate flooring. Easy-to-maintain vinyl can do wonders to freshen up a laundry room or lower-level multipurpose space. With the latest technology, there’s no compromising on style either. There’s even vinyl that mimics tile, stone and wood. Know too that a laminate-floor makeover—wide-planked and handsome or maybe a contemporary and—for a living room space or even a front foyer has the power to deliver an instant and dramatic return on your investment.
   4. Windows of opportunity. Who doesn’t love natural light? Exactly. It will make a room seem larger too, which is a bonus in the eyes of most home buyers. Look then to your window coverings: Tie back curtains to maximize light entering your space and if your window treatments are dated, remove them. For areas where privacy is not an issue, a bare window that brings in abundant light is an asset. You can also purchase drapery panels—there are many well-priced options available—in sophisticated neutral-hued patterns or plains to add an instant update and to finish off your space.