DOING UP A PROPERTY? Start by imagining yourself living there...

Janet Stevens, a trained architect who helps developers design and style homes to sell says: "Every development needs to be carefully planned and the target audience carefully considered and targeted. The days when a lick of paint and some replacement kitchen handles would make a nice profit are long gone. 

"Pay attention to every detail - especially to the overlooked issue of layout and storage. You mustn't forget the outside space either. That's just as important as inside."

NEUTRALISE: When it comes to décor, The House Doctor mantra of keeping it neutral is a good one, but be aware that neutral can also look bland. In a buyer's market, you need to work harder...

Add colour with accessories, or create a feature wall - one wall of wallpaper. (Graham and Brown has some good, inexpensive designs.)

KITCHEN CLINCHER: Spend the bulk of your budget here, as it is the most important selling point.

You can use Ikea carcasses and customise with joiner-made doors in either wood or in MDF that can be professionally sprayed at a car paint shop for a gloss finish. Top with good, chunky worktops in wood.

Tile the floor. It's practical and inexpensive and looks a million times better than a nasty lino or cheap laminate. Check out our range of ceramic tiles for kitchens

 

SO SPA, SO GOOD

Carefully-chosen wall and floor tiles and sleek fittings make all the difference.

Even if you have a cheaper suite, good tiling can lift a bathroom.

Remember, you can learn to tile with our FREE DIY guides.

Wall art can be applied over tiles but moderation is best! 

FLOW: Make sure you can get easily from one end of the main living space to the other and that all other rooms are easily accessible. Can you pass from one room to another without encountering dead corridors? Keep corridor flooring materials the same - get creative with sandstone or marble. Our pallets cost less than you think!

GO LARGE: Start by looking at the rooms and how they work. Big kitchen/dining rooms are still popular, so think about creating this space, even if it means knocking two rooms into one. The greater the floorspace, the broader the floor canvass. Be bold with your floor tiles in terms of size - if the space can take large flags of tiles, go for it. Order samples from Builder Superstore for a taste test!

SMART FINISH: The finish has to be first rate, so it can make good financial sense to do all the preparation yourself and then get a professional decorator in for the final flourish.

Yes, it's arduous but it'll be worth it in the end. Don't try to tile on uneven walls and floors - time spent re-screeding or re-plastering will be well worth it.

Why to lose a sales due to shoddy grouting?

STORAGE: We have lots of clutter and we want it out of sight, so cupboards, fitted wardrobes with storage racks and shelving are a very big selling point. Don't forget the flooring on those walk-in pantries and dressing rooms!

FLOOR SHOW: Keep it practical. Tiles are perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, cloakrooms, dining areas and hallways. (High usage areas.) Keep carpets for bedrooms and stairs and try real wood in living rooms.

Use similar tiles outside and in to draw the eye to the furthest focal point. Inset spotlights into the floor. These can act as guideways and look particularly good along landscaped paths, teamed with our stylish patio paving.

KERB APPEAL: What does the path to the front door say about the property? Is it tired and cracked old concrete? Lay a stylish path with our natural stone flooring. Buyers will soon beat a path to your door.

OUTDOOR ROOM: With warmer weather, we all want a place to sit and entertain outside. Travertine, marble, granite, slate, limestone and tumbled stone - get creative with your landscaping.

With our prices starting at less than £11 a sq m, you can create a patio worthy of Grand Designs. Our sophisticated natural materials will add kudos to your projects. (Top tip: don't forget to order an extra 10% of materials to accommodate emergencies and the "oops" factor.)

Pot colourful, scented plants such as lavender and rosemary, which will scent the evening air. Kick off your shoes and feel the warmth of the natural slate and limestone welcome you home.