When buyers walk through your home for the first time, there’s no shortage of inquisitiveness and skepticism.
They’ll ask an agent such as myself about the price and the seller’s willingness to negotiate. There’ll be questions about local amenities, the age of the HVAC and lots of other queries important to each buyer.
But there’s one aspect of a property inspection around which they all unite – opening the door on a bedroom and finding what they consider to be a broom closet.
There are legal definitions for a bedroom, but they vary depending on the building code of the city or state.
Generally, rooms in basements and attics qualify as a bedroom so long as they meet building codes. And a bedroom doesn’t need to have a closet for clothes.
However, sellers risk the trust of buyers if they advertise their home as a four-bedroom dream when there’s really only three and a small add-on.
So, it’s best to not mislead buyers as you’ll drive them away, or they’ll begin their negotiation with you by asserting the property has three bedrooms, not four.
Below, I’ve given some decorating tips for small bedrooms. And I have laid out what you can and cannot claim as a bedroom. A good real estate agent will know these facts and figures and will advise you. Of course, I’d be happy to assist.
Minimum Size: Typically, a bedroom has a minimum 70 square feet of floor. Picture a room where there’s seven feet of space in any direction. Seven is also the magic number for minimum ceiling height (7ft).
Escape route: You have to be able to leave the room easily in case of an emergency, like a house fire. A bedroom should have a door that leads to a common area or landing. A window that meets local code requirements is usually required, too.
Ventilation: In states with a significant winter, a bedroom requires a source of heat and also ventilation for, say, the gas fumes to escape.
Single bed: Even when you have a bedroom that meets local code requirements, you still need to “sell” the space to prospective buyers. So, don’t put a double bed into a room that’s suitable for a single.
Lay-Out: Aesthetically, the room works best when you can walk around either side of the bed. Pushing the bed against a wall is not a favoured strategy.
Bed position: Interior designers say being able to see the bedhead from the door gives the best impression of the space.
No patterns: Crisp white sheets, pillow cases and doonas work best. Busy patterns will make the bedroom feel even smaller. And, ensure the walls are a neutral color, too.