Preparing Your Home for a Viewing During the Holiday Season: The E&V Tips

At Engel & Völkers, we believe the opposite: the end of the year can become a true advantage if the home is presented with care and elegance.

Discover our premium tips: simple, effective, and accessible.

1. Highlight natural light: a key asset in winter

At the end of the year, natural light decreases, sometimes darkening interiors. However, light directly impacts the feeling of space and comfort.

Our advice:

• Open curtains and shutters to maximize natural light.

• Add soft lighting: table lamps, indirect lighting, warm bulbs.

• Avoid cold lighting that gives a clinical atmosphere.

• A bright interior immediately feels more spacious, welcoming, and appealing.

2. Create a warm yet neutral atmosphere

Winter is the perfect time to establish a soft, inviting ambiance without overdoing it. A few well-chosen touches are enough to evoke comfort that resonates with everyone:

• Natural textiles such as wool, velvet, or elegant throws

• Safe candles or a delicate diffuser

• Warm materials like wood, woven fibers, or felt

The goal isn’t to turn your home into a themed décor but to provide a universal sense of warmth that allows visitors to imagine themselves living there. Christmas decorations can contribute subtly, adding a touch of softness without distracting from your home’s main assets.

This approach works beyond the holidays: a warm, neutral atmosphere is always a safe choice.

3. Use holiday decorations with subtlety

The Christmas period can enhance a home if handled elegantly. Excessive decorations, however, distract from the space and finishes.

Our recommendations:

• A minimalist, well-proportioned tree

• A natural wreath on the door

• A discreet string of lights

• Avoid garish colors or oversized items

4. Could it actually be the best time to sell?

Contrary to popular belief, the holiday season attracts serious buyers who are motivated to finalize a real estate project before the new year.

Buyers visit fewer properties but make quicker decisions.

A well-presented, warm, and bright home can create a real “wow” effect.

5. Engel & Völkers support: expertise, precision, and care

Showcasing a property requires time, an outside perspective, and professional insight. That’s where our team comes in.

We assist you to:

• Declutter and optimize spaces

• Stage the atmosphere with precision

• Highlight light and volumes

• Create premium photography with our dedicated photographer

• Prepare every visit carefully and discreetly

Our mission: to make your property shine, even in the middle of winter.