As the previous owner of Bendigo Property Styling, Judi Valentini has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to styling your house to be sold. Judi has a wonderful design eye, and her sole focus was centred around preparing homes to pull at the heartstrings of potential buyers, enhance value and get the best result. Buying her first home to renovate when just 19, she was bitten by the design bug. With the trend already well-established and successful in the Melbourne market, Judi saw a need for home staging in Bendigo and started Bendigo Property Styling. Judi sold the business in March 2021 but we had the opportunity to catch up with this stylish and highly knowledgeable lady, to find out her hints and tips, for presenting your property in the best possible way to buyers.

What are the first steps to take when styling a property?

Use existing home contents as much as possible. It is not always a matter of what you have, but how you use it. With an objective eye, walk room by room and do an assessment of what can be done to enhance the property ready for sale.

This may mean rearranging existing furniture and décor to improve the space and giving ideas on small improvements that will have a big impact. How we live in a property, and how it needs to be presented for sale, are two very different things. 

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What is key to good style?

A home should not only look good, it needs to feel good. When a buyer walks through the door you want them to feel excited and ‘at home’. To do this successfully you need to be able to consider the home, consider who buyers may be. Work with your agent to answer these questions and then bring the furniture and accessories together in such a way as to attract those buyers.

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What are your best tips for styling on a budget?

Make an entrance. Adding potted plants, fresh flowers, or a lamp for soft lighting to an entry area can instantly add to the initial feel of your property.
Less can be more. A space filled with accessories, furniture and walls cluttered with artwork can be overwhelming to the eye and detracts from the home itself. 

Lighten up with a fresh lick of paint. Painting walls can instantly freshen up a space, I would recommend using a lighter, more neutral colour and using the same colour throughout. Keep it simple by avoiding bold colours which can detract from that high-end feel. 

Get your cleaning gloves on. Ensure your property feels clean, fresh and inviting. Open windows to allow fresh air to flow through, de-clutter and ensure your bathrooms and kitchen are spotless.

Don’t forget the exterior. Removing cobwebs, weeding, mulching or putting in some new plants can really tidy and freshen up the exterior of your home. 

What is your favourite architecture in Bendigo?

I have lived in Bendigo all my life and have a great love of the fountain, surrounding buildings, and beautifully manicured gardens of Rosalind Park - it’s so rich and timeless. I still have moments when I think – we are so lucky to live here. I love showing visitors how beautiful our city is.