Present2Sell - Devon Today Oct 2008

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This Halloween, don't let your home be a house of horrors!

Decorating to our own taste, informed by our unique past and our particular collections is an enriching form of self expression.

When it's time to sell though, it's essential that we understand what sort of interiors sell well, and which sort put buyers off. Blandness is as unattractive as intensely personal, so colour, as well as order is needed, but which colours? You could take a cue from the new interior collections coming out this autumn.

According to some folks in the Chelsea Design Harbour, "lemon, purple and burnt orange" are this season’s colours. Where does that leave the homeseller wanting to maximise their property's potential by hitting the market with impact?

Any expense at this stage has to earn its keep. Echoing what's in fashion need not be expensive if you work with what you already have. While de-cluttering, keep a box of things for accessorising later.

Separate out items that share a position on the colour wheel with those in fashion and the predominant colour of your interior, and use these as your accent colour.

You may need to buy additional items to reinforce this, such as cushions and candles, portable things that can be used in your new home. For larger elements, such as flooring, instead of replacing the carpet, find a rug whose colour refers to that accent colour.

Pumpkin may be this season's colour but be sure to use it wisely!