Maximising light is one of the golden rules for preparing your home for the sale campaign - but how do you really go about it in those light-deprived areas of your house without turning your home into a house of mirrors?

Many houses have defunct dark pokey rooms which just end up as storage space. One sure way to let the light in is to replace a wall with sliding doors. While this is a major job it will really transform space. A less drastic measure is to replace the door into a room with a glass door. Use opaque or frosted glass to retain privacy in the room.

In a light-challenged room, opt to use eggshell and gloss paints, which reflect the light better than matt finishes. Working like a mirror, they make a room appear bigger and brighter.

Likewise go for glossy materials when furnishing, such as glass, tiles, metal and polished granite.

The golden rule for small pokey rooms is to go for pale colours, which will open up the space. On the walls and ceilings it's best to go for white or a light neutral colour and opt for full-length curtains in a shade as close as possible to the walls to give the impression of height and add to the sense of space. Select furnishings in the same colour family.

Another good furniture tip is to install furniture that is raised off the floor on legs; this gives the illusion of more space.

Of course less is best in a small room so go for the minimum amount of furniture and choose small, tidy pieces of furniture.

Florals, stripes and swirls are out when you are furnishing a small room. Go for texture rather than pattern.

If you must have a pattern, introduce it in small doses.

Finally, clutter is a big no-no for small rooms, so keep it to a minimum.