Saying there are a few hills around North Narrabeen, Narrabeen, Elanora Heights, Ingleside and Warriewood is an understatement, but the advantage of hillside living is incredible views.
Whether it’s glimpses of the ocean or tree-filled vistas, many postcode 2101 homes are blessed with beautiful look outs.
A view is relaxing and impressive at the same time. It is also a major selling point that you can highlight when the time comes to put your home on the market.
How to emphasise the views in your home
If you have a view, here’s how to make the most of it:
Keep window frames simple
Your choice of window frame can make a huge difference to the impact of the view.
Avoid busy frames. The simpler, the better. Busier frames will draw the eye away from the view and spoil its impact.
Another tip is to go with black window frames. Black tends to fade into the background and be less distracting than other, brighter colours, so black window frames will help your view to stand out.
Choose your palette
The colour palette you choose for the interior of a room with a view can also improve the impact of the exterior vista.
External views, especially around the Northern Beaches, tend to be green and vibrant. By choosing neutral tones for the interior, you heighten the impact of the greenery provided by the view. The eye is instantly drawn to the bright colours outside, and the view is given its full potential.
Think of your view as a piece of art. It does the visual heavy lifting and you can keep the walls plain.
The only area where you might go for a more dramatic tone is the ceiling. Darker ceilings can help lead the eye to the windows and highlight the view. However, beware of dark colours if you have low ceilings; this can make the room feel claustrophobic.
Think about your furniture layout
Getting your furniture placement right is also vital to maximise the impact of your view.
You should place as little furniture as possible in front of the view. If you do need to have furniture in front of the windows, choose low-line options, so they don’t detract from the view.
It’s also clever to arrange furniture to face the windows so that when you or guests are sitting on a couch or in an armchair, the beautiful outlook is positioned in the eyeline and can be appreciated to full effect.
If you’re selling, place a chair where people can take a moment to admire the ocean or tree-filled outlook. They’ll start to fall in love.
Add some greenery
One exception to the ‘keep it neutral’ rule is the idea of bringing in some greenery.
A potted plant or two can help draw the eye towards the outside and create the feeling of the outdoors seamlessly melding with the indoors.
Make the most of your windows
If you are building or renovating and want to make the most of the scenery, your choices surrounding the windows are obviously of key importance.
Along with choosing darker frames, you also need to consider the size of the windows. Floor-to-ceiling windows will make the most of any view. If your home allows it, two-storey windows can also make an impressive impact and create unhindered views, and wrapping windows around corners can also enhance the scale of the view you can enjoy.
Consider the orientation
While views are fantastic, intense sunlight is not.
The sun on the Northern Beaches in the summer can beat down quite viciously, especially if your windows face east or west. Think about tinting, double-glazing or some form of shade to protect you from the sun.
A note on outdoor views
Of course, amazing views on the Northern Beaches can be seen from outside as well as in. Plenty of postcode 2101 homes have incredible views from the garden or deck.
Decks and covered outdoor sitting areas are an excellent way to make the most of your outdoor view. Consider installing adjustable sun shades so you can move them to block the sun when it starts to drop low and cause a glare.
Many buyers love a home with a view and will overlook flaws in the property so they can gaze out the window to their heart’s content. If you have a view or the potential for one, talk to us about how to improve its appeal when the time comes to sell.
Need help to list your home? There is no shortage of eager buyers on the Northern Beaches. Get in touch to find out more.