Every decision counts when gearing up to sell your house, from the color of the bathroom tiles to the style of the living room rug. However, some choices can significantly influence potential buyers’ perceptions and your home’s selling price. Here are some practical and impactful staging tips that can make your residence irresistible.
1. Curb Appeal: Make Them Stop and Stare
Your home’s exterior is a potential buyer’s first interaction with your property. It sets the tone for what is to come, so ensuring it looks pristine is crucial. Here are some tips to elevate curb appeal:
- Pressure wash everything: Over time, dirt and grime can accumulate on your home’s exterior, making it look aged and worn out. Rent a pressure washer and give your siding, roof, and gutters a deep clean. Ensure the nozzle is at least 4 feet away so you do not apply too much pressure. This simple act can rejuvenate your house.
- Add a pop of color: Think of your front door as the cover of a book. A fresh, vibrant shade draws attention and sets a welcoming tone. Choose a color that stands out yet harmonizes with your home’s palette.
- Glam your garage: Your garage door occupies up to 30% of your home’s facade. Something outdated or worn-out can be a visual sore point. Consider choosing the right garage door that complements your house’s style. Modern designs blend functionality and aesthetics, ensuring your home looks cohesive and secure.
- Touch up the garden: A garden in disarray can be off-putting. Regularly trim overgrown bushes, plant perennial and seasonal flowers for continuous bloom, and keep the lawn neatly mowed. Add a few decorative planters or garden ornaments for an extra touch.
2. Lighting: Set the Mood
Good lighting does more than illuminate a room — it elevates it. It can change the entire feel of a space, drawing attention to specific features, creating warmth, and making areas feel more spacious and inviting.
- Use natural light: This is your best friend when showcasing your home. Sunlight brings warmth and energy to spaces. Pull back those curtains, lift the blinds, and clean your windows well to ensure they let in as much sun as possible. Consider using sheer curtains to diffuse and spread the available light more evenly.
- Layer your lighting: Think of lighting as you would layers in an outfit. Each serves a purpose. Here are some types you might want to consider adding to your home:
- Ambient: This is your base layer, providing overall illumination. Ceiling fixtures and pendants are a central light source and set the room’s tone.
- Task: This layer focuses on specific tasks. For instance, table lamps near seating areas are perfect task lights for reading or other activities.
- Accent: This is your statement piece. Accent lights, such as track or wall-mounted fixtures, draw attention to room features. They add depth and drama, whether you want to spotlight artwork or highlight a fireplace.
3. The Emotional Connection: Making It Feel Like Home
Buyers do not just want a house — they are seeking a space to picture their future memories unfolding.
The National Association of Realtors underscores this sentiment, revealing that 81% of buyers’ agents believe staging paves the way for clients to visualize a property as their next home. Here is how to foster that connection:
- Make décor decisions: Modernize your living spaces with contemporary touches. This does not mean splurging on every new trend but incorporating elements that make your home look expensive without breaking the bank. Consider hanging a chandelier or installing a tile backsplash.
- Add personal touches, not personal items: You should remove personal photos and mementos. However, adding neutral touches like a cozy reading nook or a board game in the living room can make the space inviting.
- Make thoughtful renovations: Older homes have character, but modern amenities are equally crucial. If you are considering renovating an old house, focus on blending its inherent charm with contemporary conveniences. This fusion can be a unique selling point.
4. Value Boosters: Small Changes, Big Impact
Small changes can drastically increase how much buyers are willing to offer. Focus on details and add elements that increase your home’s value.
- Declutter and organize: Space is a luxury and the illusion of more can be a game-changer. Start by decluttering countertops, shelves, and other visible areas. Next, tackle closets and storage. Organizing creates a tidier space and showcases your home’s potential.
- Be neutral yet inviting: Choosing the right color palette is crucial. Vibrant hues resonate with some but deter others. However, neutral shades are a blank canvas, allowing potential buyers to envision their décor ideas. Infuse energy into rooms with colorful cushions, contemporary artwork or textured rugs.
- Highlight unique features: Every home has its quirks and features. It could be a vintage clawfoot tub, a cozy reading nook under the stairs, or a sunlit breakfast corner. Draw attention to these unique places. If you have a fireplace, place some elegant chairs or a plush rug in front of it.
5. Digital Enhancements: Virtual Staging
Physical staging lays the groundwork, but virtual staging takes it to the next level. This is critical since online listings often serve as the first point of contact between your home and potential buyers.
- Digitally furnish empty spaces: Empty rooms can look uninviting or smaller than they are. Virtual staging fills these spaces with stylish furniture and décor, helping buyers visualize the room’s potential. They can see how a spare room can serve as a cozy home office or a functional gym.
- Make seasonal tweaks: If your property photos feature a snowy yard and barren trees, consider adding digital summer foliage to show off your home’s year-round appeal. This small change can help buyers envision what the property looks like in all seasons, making your listing more compelling.
Is Staging Worth the Investment?
Staged homes often fetch higher offers and sell faster. It is not about spending heaps of money but investing wisely. It presents your home in its best light, highlighting its strengths and offering potential buyers a glimpse into their future.
About the Author: Evelyn Long is a writer and the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her work has been published by the National Association of Realtors, McKissock, and other online publications.
