With a few extra days off and the sun shining again, there are plenty of reasons to show off your home to buyers during springtime. To help you get your home looking bright, fun, and ready for viewings, we’ve come up with these easy spring decorating tips for sprucing up your living space…

Hang a seasonal wreath

You might be thinking that door décor is so last season, but beautiful wreaths needn’t be confined to Christmas! Springtime wreaths can incorporate hand-painted eggs, seasonal flowers and sprigs, and a patterned ribbon to tie the whole thing together. Better yet, if you’re lacking in time and a hot glue gun, you can opt for a shop-bought piece and achieve the same wonderful, welcoming effect for your front door.

Let the sunshine

One of the most beneficial decorating tools is spring’s golden rays, so open your curtains or blinds and let the light flood in. Sunlight is great for enhancing shiny surfaces such as mirrors, stainless steel appliances and marble countertops; but bright light can also reveal smears – so get them looking as glossy as you can before viewings. A good trick for buffing away smudges is to use a pea-sized amount of olive oil on a paper towel and polish until the surface is dry. When the sun peaks through your windows, your countertops will look fresh as spring!

Create a whimsical lantern scene

If you already have a lantern, pop out the lightbulb or candle for the time being and replace it with decorative straw, faux flowers, a standing bunny ornament, and some twinkling fairy lights. If you’re feeling extra crafty, watch an online tutorial and embellish the lid or handle with an intricately tied ribbon. A lantern display is ideal for your doorstep as it will amp up your kerb appeal and draw attention right to your front door.

Add a floral touch

Daffodils arrive early because they know first impressions count! Fill every room with bright blooming flowers for the most transformative pop of colour and freshness. There’s no better way to greet your guests than with beautiful bouquets of vibrant flowers.

Brighten your bedding

For a low-effort seasonal lift, swap out your thick, cosy winter bedding for something lighter. Hot weather is still on the horizon, so if you aren’t ready to fully commit yet, start with a neutral matelassé and use a colourful quilt or duvet as a throw at the bottom of the bed. You can tie in decorative pillows from the same colour family to bring the whole look together, or even hang some spring artwork over the headboard for that extra touch of charm.

Layer up on colour

Play to the season’s vibrancy by introducing a punchy palette for your dining table. Spring is a great time to embrace farmhouse-style décor, so don’t shy away from mismatched colours, floral patterns and colour-pop centrepieces, as this look will evoke a laid-back, summery feeling.

Modify the mantle

If you’re worried about over-decorating and you’d like to keep your springtime display contained in one area of the house – the mantle is the best place. Pin up some bunting to hang over the display, style up the shelves and elevated points with vintage treasures and jars of treats, and bring the whole look to life with some fresh spring bulbs and potted seasonal blooms.

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Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, renting, or letting: EPC ratings play an integral role in the property market, so you’ll need to know what they mean for your personal prospects – and if you’re planning on keeping your carbon footprint low!

With the climate-change crisis remaining hot on the agenda for the UK government, a low EPC rating could be just the factor that tips your property plans over the edge.

What is an EPC rating?

The ‘Energy Performance Certificate Rating’ measures your property’s overall energy efficiency. It’s measured from A to G – ‘A’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least. The higher the rating, the less it costs to heat and power the property. An energy-efficient home is a cost-efficient home – but beyond this – eco-homes are built with the environment in mind, which is why new-builds are some of the most energy-efficient properties on the market as buyers look to lower their carbon footprint, and we move towards a greener future.

Are there any upcoming changes to EPC regulations?

Starting in 2025, the minimum rating for new tenancies in the UK is at least a ‘C’, and the same requirement will apply to existing tenancies starting from 2028. Non-compliance in this matter could result in significant fines – excluding rare cases when landlords can prove exemption. As such, landlords are exclusively responsible for carrying out enhancements on their properties to get their certificates in the right margins before the deadline. Any expenses related to this cannot be passed onto tenants but they may be partially recovered through government schemes or service charges.

Homeowners will face a similar predicament in 2035, when the same requirements will apply for all house sales in the UK. According to Halifax, * it’s estimated that up to 15 million homes in England and Wales may require upgrades, amounting to 60% of the housing stock (around 25 million properties) that are currently in need of work to adhere to these standards. *

How long does an EPC certificate last?

EPCs last for 10 years. Already having a valid EPC rating makes for a much quicker process when selling your property, as you won’t need to get your property’s efficiency re-evaluated. If your EPC has expired, or your property is yet to be assessed, you will need to arrange for an EPC rating before you can legally put your property on the market.

Can I still sell my house with a low EPC rating?

You can lawfully sell your property with a low energy performance rating, however, while many mortgage companies will certainly lend on properties with low EPC ratings, it’s equally likely that they will recommend potential improvements to bring the property to a minimum 'E' rating, and any improvements needed will be reflected in the property’s valuation. So, as a buyer, it’s important you’re aware of the property’s rating before putting your offer in. And as a seller, it is evidently a worthwhile investment to bump up your EPC rating before the house is valued.

How can I improve my property’s EPC rating?

• Double or triple-glazed windows provide solid insulation and can prevent around 20% loss of your home’s heat.

• Replacing your appliances for more eco-friendly products with higher energy ratings can improve your home’s energy efficiency. For example, if your appliances are ranked B, swap them out for some that are ranked A++.

• If your EPC rating is just scraping the margins, then switching to LED lightbulbs could make that last bit of difference.

• Heat rises, so roof or loft insulation is a key factor in boosting your property’s rating. With good insulation, you can save up to 25% of heat lost through your property.

To find out the value of your property book your valuation today.