Elevate your property with portable changes

Whether you’re a fan of interior design TV shows, spend hours scouring the internet for the latest trends or like nothing better than hitting your local homeware stores, many of us love improving where we live. 

The problem is, some of the most eye catching home additions are permanent, expensive or both. While there is no doubt that replacing an old kitchen or installing a new bathroom will transform a property, it’s not a practical path to follow for tenants or for soon-to-be sellers who want to give their home added appeal without blowing the budget.

The good news is there are some really clever – and portable – ways of improving your property. The emphasis here is on items that can be moved from property-to-property. After all, if you’re shelling out to improve the aesthetics of your home, being able to pack the items up and take them with you makes sense. 

Our four portable product recommendations will give you a good return on investment, whether you’re looking to impress buyers or elevate your everyday home style. There’s no need for planning permission, permanent alterations or a trade professional and even better, our suggestions are easy to source on the High Street, online or even in larger supermarkets. 

Textiles can come to your aid when perking up your property. The upholstery side of improvements, such as replacing sofas and armchairs, represents a serious outlay but entry-level soft furnishings can transform how a room feels. The holy trinity of rugs, cushions and throws remains the quickest and cheapest way to make an impact – choose a single colour or theme for the wow factor. 

Lighting is another portable asset that can dramatically alter the perception of a property. Plug-in table and floor-standing lamps can be used to banish shadows, while a string of humble battery-operated fairy lights never fails to cast a magical glow. 

Lights can also be employed to set the scene outside. There are a myriad of solar options on sale, from hanging lanterns to simple stake lights. In fact, creating illuminated garden rooms is one of the most desirable and portable trends for 2022. Everything you’ll find in a living room now has an outdoor, weatherproof counterpart – sofas, rugs and even freestanding lamps. As long as you don’t screw it down or cement it in, outdoor items can move with you.

There’s one other recommendation that straddles both inside and out: plants. Staying in the garden, it’s not wise to waste time and money on shrubs, bulbs and trees that you plant directly into the ground. Instead, pots and baskets can be placed where needed, then packed onto the back of a removal lorry.

House plants are another portable winner and are definitely a shrewder investment than the classic advice of adding colour to your home with cut flowers. Whereas a bunch of blooms will be destined for the compost bin within days, house plants can live for years if cared for.

If you’re looking to move in the next few months, contact our team for advice and the latest local market report.