9 Helpful Tips for Staging Your Home for Sale

November 14, 2024

In this post – I’m sharing 9 specific things you can do to get your home ready to sell.

There are exciting things happening around here! We decided to put our beach place on the market! Not to worry. We are still going to be traveling from the bay to the beach. It will just be a new beach! We found our dream place in another adorable little beach town just down the road. It has stunning ocean views and twice the space of our current place. Can’t wait to move in!

But – first things first. We had to prep our home for sale. Our agent liked the way I furnished our current home. He asked if I would stage it for the sale and I agreed. I love rearranging furniture. I also enjoy clearing out clutter. We have bought and sold many properties over the years. So, I knew what we needed to do to get our place ready.

Fun fact, I actually started a small home staging business in the Bay Area when my kids were small. I loved doing it because it gave me a creative escape from the day-to-day of mom life. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time necessary to build the business while raising three small kids. And then, in 2008, the economy took a nose-dive and the real estate market dried up. That was the end of my staging business.

I did learn a few things from my experience though. Selling a home requires more than just listing it on the market; it’s about making potential buyers feel at home. Staging is a powerful way to highlight your home’s best features, create a welcoming atmosphere, and ultimately attract offers.

9 Tips for Staging Your Home

Here are some useful tips I’ve learned when staging a home for sale.

1. Declutter and Depersonalize

Declutter: Clear out as much as possible. Less clutter makes spaces look larger and more inviting. I started by removing all of the items from the TV console cabinet (pictured below) except for the baskets. Next, I removed most of my books from the shelving unit (above). Then I redistributed the remaining decorative items to give them breathing room. I stored any coasters, remote controls, video game consoles etc.

Depersonalize: Store any family photos or anything too personal. You want the buyer to feel like they are walking into THEIR new home, not someone else’s.

2. Deep Clean Every Space

A spotless home leaves a strong impression. Focus on floors, baseboards, windows, and appliances. Don’t forget overlooked spaces, like closets, garages, and behind large furniture. A clean home looks well-maintained and welcoming. I like to think we kept a clean home. Still, we needed a deep cleaning to get it ready for market. Homes near the beach get dirty quickly from the sand and salt in the air. Hiring professional cleaners is a must-do in my opinion and ours did a great job.

3. Rearrange Furniture to Maximize Space

It’s important to arrange your furniture to highlight a room’s size and purpose. You want to avoid blocking windows or pathways. A potential buyer should be able to walk around with ease. Consider removing extra furniture to create an open, airy feel. I removed one of the chairs in our family room and both desks in the bedrooms to free up space.

If needed, you can rent or borrow pieces that suit each room’s purpose. Professional staging companies have furniture they use to fill in awkward or under used spaces.

4. Refresh with Neutral Paint Colors

A fresh coat of neutral paint can brighten a room and make it feel larger. Colors like soft whites, light grays, or warm beiges are inviting and suit various tastes. To make a home look larger, I suggest using the same color throughout. We were fortunate. The home was freshly painted in a nice shade of white before we bought it two years ago.

5. Enhance Curb Appeal

First impressions are everything. Mow the lawn, trim bushes, and plant fresh flowers. Pressure wash driveways and walkways, and repaint the front door if necessary. Consider adding a new welcome mat or outdoor lighting for an extra touch. Be sure the outside of your home looks as fresh and clean as possible. Our front door is located on our patio, so we cleaned and decluttered the area to create a welcoming entry. Fortunately our HOA had all of the doors repainted last year. They also restained the cedar shingles on all of the buildings.

6. Stage Key Rooms First

Focus on the living room, kitchen, and primary bedroom, as these are most important to buyers. Ensure each room has a clear purpose. Most people are not good at visualizing how to furnish empty spaces. It’s important to show buyers how they can use them. For example, you can create a cozy reading nook in a corner of the primary bedroom. You can also add bar stools to highlight a kitchen counter as an eating space.

7. Bring in Natural Elements

Add throw blankets, potted plants, and decorative accents. These small touches make the home feel lively and fresh. However, avoid clutter at all cost! Less is more when it comes to staging. When staging the kitchen, I chose to leave the island bare. Instead, I placed some small basket trays with bowls and faux plants on the counter. I kept a few neutral decorative items on the counters to warm up the space. Otherwise, I left the counters bare to make them look spacious.

If your home is located in or near a desirable area, use decorative items to highlight that. Pick items that are specific to the local area. For example, I displayed some of my shell collection in places like the bathrooms and the family room. This was a nod to the home’s beach location. I was careful not to over-do it though. I also used lots of natural woods, woven items and coastal art. These all complement the beachy feel of the home.

8. Add Finishing Touches and Accessories

Use mirrors strategically to reflect light and make rooms feel larger. Pay attention to what is being reflected in the mirrors. Mirrors angled up reflect the ceiling instead of the surroundings.

If possible, open windows to let in natural light and fresh air before showings. Remove any window coverings that obscure the windows. You want your home to look light and bright.

9. Take Quality Photos

Great photos are essential since most buyers start their search online. Consider hiring a professional photographer if possible. Make sure each room is well-lit, tidy, and ready to showcase its best features.

Staging a home takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. Using these tips, you’ll make your property more appealing and ready to sell quickly at the best possible price. If you have any questions about staging, leave me a comment below. I’m happy to help you! I’m also happy to share where I bought anything in our home. To automatically receive future posts by email, be sure to sign up below. Good luck and happy staging!