Staging a house has great benefits and helps potential buyers to see themselves living there. If a house is about to hit the market, and the seller wants the property sold fast, then studying up on staging isn’t a bad idea. A staged home will sell faster than one that isn’t. See below for our ten home staging tips.
1. Symmetry
Staging a home with a symmetrical space is appealing to the eye of any buyer. Try to have matching furniture and accent pieces in the same space.
Gray furniture with white pillows and lamps is a great example!
Try to coordinate colors and accent pieces to create a theme within the room. Buyers will like how the space flows, hopefully sealing the deal.
2. A Clean House is a House That Sells
Who wants to view a house that looks as if it hasn’t been cleaned in weeks? The answer is no one.
Make sure to clean every nook and cranny. Even scrub that fireplace to make it shine! (Bonus points if logs are placed nicely to kill the dead space.)
Don’t forget to clean the bathroom! Remove all the grime and stains to make it pristine. Even the windows should be cleaned to make them crystal clear.
3. Color Choice is an Important Decision
Most rooms in the house have a hodgepodge of items, including colors that clash. When staging homes make sure to pay attention to the color choice of the area.
For example, a light-colored theme will create a space that appears open and inviting. The goal is to make every space look nice to the eye so a buyer will see the potential of the home.
Neutral colors are great for making an area look great. Make sure they aren’t too dark or vibrant.
Have a dark space or corner that won’t light up? Place a mirror in the stubborn space. A mirror will lighten up even the darkest of corners in the home.
4. Clutter is a Big No
A lot of people collect clutter. With this in mind, a potential buyer does not want to see clutter in their potential home.
Remove what isn’t needed to open up a room.
Living room with five seats? Keep a single sofa and chair in the space with a few accent pieces.
In the kitchen, it’s a good idea to clean out the cabinets (yes even the one under the sink) and pack away dishes.
Try leaving a bowl of fruit or a plate of snacks out in the open. If there is a glass cabinet or display case, place a nice set of dinnerware for all to see.
5. Upgrading and Restoring the House
This is one of the most important details of home staging: making sure the house is functional and presentable.
This means even the doors and appliances.
Thoroughly inspect appliances. If they are outdated or look worn it’s a good idea to replace them.
Plus buyers love having new appliances when they move in!
Cabinets and walls should look presentable. If there is a hole in the wall repair it. If the paint is peeling anywhere in the house it might be time to apply a fresh coat. Cabinets should open with ease.
Talking about opening with ease, this doesn’t exclude doors and windows. Check everything in the house to ensure it works properly. If not, replace or upgrade.
6. Simple is Key
Sometimes patterns and themes can be a bit much. The easiest solution is to simplify the space.
Ditch character sheets and floral prints for neutral colors. Neutral colors help the buyer to project themselves onto the area, making it easier to see themselves.
7. Create New Spaces
Have a three-bedroom house? Take one of the bedrooms and change it into an office.
Have an empty room that was never used? Turn it into a gym!
If space is already represented in the house, remodel it. This will show buyers the endless opportunities of utilizing the space.
If there is any dead space in the hallway try to fill it with a desk. This helps fill the space while making it useful.
8. Accents
The way furniture is positioned is important, but the accents in the space are important also.
In the bathroom, a nice soap dispenser and some fluffy towels can be displayed to create a luxurious space. All light switch and outlet covers should match. Yes, i is the small things that count!
Avoid dead space on the walls.
Try to strategically place pictures and paintings throughout the home. A bare wall is less appealing than a wall where space is being used.
Closets should be empty! Pack up those belongings and leave a few matching hangers to not make the space look empty.
9. Exterior: Just as Important as the Inside
When staging, most of the focus is on the inside and what the rooms will look like. This is important, but the outside of the home shouldn’t be forgotten.
Powerwash the siding. This will remove grime and dirt that has built up over the years making the house look brand new.
Brighten up the front by painting the door, windows, and porch.
10. Don’t Forget the Before and After Shots
Pictures are just as important to the staging process as choosing the right color scheme. These will be placed in a listing and show off the work and progress that went into making the house look nice.
Before packing and cleaning the house, take a before picture. This picture can be used to show potential clients what the space was and how it was changed. This helps the client see what can be done with space while showing the home’s potential.
After pictures are also important to staging a home; They will be in the listing and used to compare against the before shots.
Home Staging Tips That Work!
We have provided the top ten home staging tips to sell fast. Now it’s time to put these tips to the test and to sell that home!
For more information on home selling please check out our website here.
