Whether you stage your home yourself or work with professionals, staging can help you sell your home faster and for more money. However, even simple changes and additions can affect how your home is perceived. Here are seven home staging tips you need to know before listing your house for sale.
1– Prioritize Spaces
When staging a home, it’s essential to prioritize the spaces that will impact potential buyers the most. These spaces typically include the entryway, living room, kitchen, and master bedroom.
- Entryway: The entryway is the first thing buyers see when they enter a home, so it should be clean and well-organized. A small table with a vase of flowers or a statement piece of artwork can make a great first impression.
- Living Room: The living room is often the focal point of a home, so it should be well-lit, neutral, and inviting. Arrange furniture in a way that encourages conversation and relaxation.
- Kitchen: The kitchen is one of the most important spaces in a home, especially for families. It should be clean, organized, and free of clutter. The countertops should be free of small appliances and dishes, and all appliances should be in good working condition.
- Master Bedroom: The master bedroom should be a retreat, with a comfortable bed, fresh linens, and neutral colors. The room should be well-lit and free of clutter.
In addition to these spaces, it’s also important to stage any outdoor areas, such as a backyard or deck, to make them look as attractive as possible. If a home has any unique features, such as a fireplace or architectural details, ensure they are highlighted during the staging process.
2 – Depersonalize
Depersonalizing a home when staging it for sale is important because it helps potential buyers envision themselves living in the space. Personal items, such as family photos and religious or political decorations, can make it difficult for buyers to see the home’s potential.
To depersonalize a home, homeowners should remove personal items such as family photos, religious or political decorations, and any items that may be considered controversial. It’s also a good idea to remove any clutter, such as excess knick-knacks or items that are not necessary for the function of the room.
Another important thing is to keep the focus on the architecture and features of the home, such as natural light, high ceilings, and built-ins, by removing furniture and accessories that might distract from these assets.
3 – Curb Appeal
When staging a home for sale, it’s important to pay attention to the curb appeal — the visual attractiveness of a property as seen from the street. This includes ensuring the lawn is well-manicured, the bushes are trimmed, the walkway is clean, and the house’s exterior is in good condition.
Another way to improve curb appeal is by adding outdoor furniture and accessories, such as a new mailbox, a porch light, or a new front door. These small touches can make a big difference in the overall perception of a home.
4 – Light
Lighting is a critical element to consider when staging a home for sale. It can create a warm and inviting atmosphere, highlight features of the house, and make rooms appear larger. Here are a few ways to make the best use of light when staging your home:
- Use natural light: Open curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. This will make the space feel bigger and more inviting.
- Add lamps and lighting fixtures: Lamps and lighting fixtures can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Table lamps and floor lamps can be placed in dark corners to brighten the room, while ceiling fixtures can highlight a room’s key features.
- Create a focal point: Use lighting to create a focal point in a room. This can be done by highlighting a piece of art, a fireplace, or a unique architectural feature.
5 – Textures
Incorporating texture when staging a home can add visual interest and depth to a space and make it more inviting and comfortable. Texture can be used to create a focal point that can draw the attention of potential buyers to the key features of a room, add a sense of warmth and coziness to a space by making it more homely and attractive, and help to balance the space to make it more visually appealing.
Textured fabrics, such as wool, linen, and velvet, can add depth and interest to a room. Use them on upholstered furniture, throw pillows, and window treatments. Textured accents, such as woven baskets, pottery, and metal sculptures, can add visual interest to a room. They can also be used to add a sense of warmth and coziness. Incorporating natural materials such as wood, stone, and plants can add texture and warmth to a space.
6 – Color & Art
Color and art can be used effectively in home staging to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, highlight features of a room, and make a space appear larger. Here are a few ways to use color and art when staging your home:
- Use neutral colors: Neutral colors, such as white, beige, and gray, can make a space appear larger and more open. They also provide a blank canvas for buyers to envision their own style.
- Use pops of color: Pops of color, such as a bright accent wall or a colorful piece of art, can be used to add interest to a room.
- Use art to highlight key features: Art can be used to highlight dynamic elements of a room, such as a fireplace or a unique architectural feature. It can also be used to create a focal point or to add interest to a room.
- Use art to create a mood or tell a story: Art can create a specific mood in a room. For example, calming or serene art in a bedroom creates a relaxing atmosphere. Color and art can also tell a story. For instance, if the home is near a beach, you can use art and colors that reflect the coastal theme.
7 – Plants
Plants can be a great way to add life to a home when staging it for sale. They can be used to add color to a room. Use a colorful flower arrangement in the living room to create a focal point and add interest to the space.
Using plants can bring a natural and organic feel to a room. Plants can also help to improve the air quality in a home by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. This can be achieved by placing plants in a room, such as a snake plant, spider plant, or English Ivy.
Professional Staging with Stage 7
From multi-million dollar parade homes and businesses on Silicon Slopes to smaller homes on the market, Stage 7 Design has worked with spaces and layouts of all dimensions. If you are looking for the best experience and results from home staging, contact us today and schedule your consultation!