Not-So-Obvious Home Staging Tips
When selling a home, an important part of the selling process is to stage the home to appeal to buyers. Not only can successful staging lead to a faster sale, it could also lead to a higher sales price.
Staging is all about ensuring your home makes a good first impression on potential buyers. Making your home look clean and uncluttered, inside and out, is the priority of staging, both inside and out. From cleaning the counters to mowing the lawn, you’ll want to make sure every inch of your house looks its best. While you’re focused on these tasks, it can be easy to overlook some other ways you can help give your home an extra edge during the staging process. Here are a few examples:
The Kitchen
Obvious: The stove, sinks and counter tops should be spotless.
Not-so-obvious: A kitchen is a practical space, and your cabinets and refrigerator are filled with items you use on a regular basis. Take the time to sort through, organize, and even highlight some areas. Arrange the contents of your cabinets and refrigerator to be facing forward. Place nice dishes on display in glass-fronted cabinets. These small touches will help add some visual refinement to an otherwise very utilitarian aspect of your kitchen.
The Bathrooms
Obvious: They should be clean and uncluttered. Have fresh towels hanging neatly on the rack. (Create the “hotel bathroom” look.)
Not-so-obvious: You remembered to put out towels, but do they all match? Color coordinating your bathroom can be an effective way to add style to the space. Don’t forget to ensure toilet lids are closed.
Your Bedroom
Obvious: Make the bed neatly. Check that the closet is organized and uncluttered.
Not-so-obvious: Don’t leave any clothes or personal items out where it can be seen. Even clean clothes neatly folded in a hamper can seem untidy to some people. If you don’t have room to fold clothes and hang them in a closet or dresser, put them in storage. Clothing is bulky and can quickly add up to create visual clutter than turns away buyers.
The Kids’ Bedrooms
Obvious: They need to be clean and uncluttered. (Good luck!) If you could use some tips on how to store toys to look their best, you’ll want to check out this guide.
Not-so-obvious: Arrange stuffed animals, games and other toys like an attractive display in a toy store. It’s okay to have a toy, like a racetrack, out of the box. Mothers will understand that a kid’s room is a functional play space...just make sure they toys that are visible are clean, assembled, and in good condition.
The Great Outdoors
Obvious: Mow the lawn, clear weeds from the garden, trim trees and shrubs.
Not-so-obvious: Set up an attractive sitting area in your backyard. If your home has a nice yard, you’ll want to flaunt it! Make buyers imagine themselves enjoying their morning coffee, or making s’mores over a firepit. If you have a grill, make sure it’s clean and ready to go: dads will love the idea of getting to plan their next barbecue get together.
Staging is meant to enhance the natural good qualities of your home allowing potential buyers the ability to envision them living in the space. By cutting down on clutter and focusing attention towards the best aspects, a well staged home will appear spacious, clean, and elegant to those interested in buying!