Looking to sell your house? Want a few hints to make your place more inviting?

Sure, you can bake cookies, brew coffee and simmer cinnamon potpourri to entice prospective buyers into making an offer. But if the kitchen itself isn't sparkling, no amount of homey aroma will cover that up.

Interior designer Arthur McLaughlin of San Francisco offered a number of suggestions that cost very little, but can reap large financial rewards.

For the past 20 years, McLaughlin has specialized in "staging" homes for resale. His clients hire him to create a warm, inviting environment in each room so the house goes quickly and for a great price.

"A person's residence tends to be the largest investment they have," he said. So the goal is to "maximize the dollar return."

CLEANING

If you can't afford to do anything else, then make sure the house sparkles.

"The biggest thing is to make sure your house is clean and the clutter is removed," said McLaughlin.

Remember to clean inside cupboards, medicine cabinets and drawers, too.

"In the kitchen, people like to see that there's plenty of storage," said McLaughlin. "Make sure it's tidy and that you have some vacant space in the cabinets. And don't have the countertops super-crowded."

You're moving anyway, so the time to start packing is now. Throw away clutter and clean out the "catch-all" drawer. Pack up unneeded dishes, clothes, pictures and toys.

FURNITURE

Look at the furniture in each room. Is it arranged so the room feels warm and welcoming? Or does it feel closed-in and small?

In most cases, that means paring down the furniture to the nicest, smallest pieces, so each room looks more spacious.

Also, remove anything that's too distracting, unattractive or outdated. "If you have a burnt-orange sofa from the '70s, move it out," said McLaughlin. "People won't remember the fireplace, but they'll remember the hideous orange sofa."

CURBSIDE APPEAL

Potential buyers park on the street and look at it before ever entering the frontdoor, so take time to enhance the "curbside appeal."

Make sure the lawn is mowed and the bushes are trimmed.

McLaughlin said that the approach to the house should be "like going to Disneyland: easy and comfortable. Make sure the front door stands out. Plant blooming flowers near the front door, so you're almost guided to the front door by the plants."

And while you're at it, don't forget to trim back the bushes in front of the windows, so daylight can enter the house.

PAINTING

In many cases, a little touch-up paint is all that's needed. But if the interior walls are covered with bold colors, consider toning them down.

"A general rule is, it's better to be more neutral," said McLaughlin. "Sometimes you can get away with a great accent wall, but you'd better make sure it works. Big colored walls jerk you emotionally from one color to the next."

INTERIOR DESIGN

If your home is wild and funky, that might be great for you, but not for a prospective buyer.

"Tone it down," advised McLaughlin. "Anything that is too far out of the norm has to go."

That includes typical teen rooms with black walls or music posters all over.

"That does not excite a parent, and they're the ones paying the mortgage. Leave one or two posters that are acceptable."

"Light fixtures and faucets date a home," said McLaughlin. Those can be replaced with minimal effort or costs, he added.

THE RIGHT SMELLS

Remember that a house appeals not only to the eyes and ears, but to the nose.

Kitchen duty isn't necessary, said McLaughlin: "I tend to use potpourri ---- one that's not too feminine- or sweet-smelling. And the scent should be consistent throughout the house."

The most important aroma, however, is that the home "smells super clean," he said.

Contact staff writer Cyndie Claypool de Neve at (760) 740-3511 or cyndie@nctimes.net.