Home staging is all about setting a home up with furniture and homeware so that you show the place off in its best light and offer potential buyers a look at what is possible in the space, ultimately allowing the home to appeal to more buyers and allowing you to sell quickly for the best possible price.
There are a number of options to consider when looking at staging. You can have a professional staging company come and stage the home from corner to corner, you can keep most of your own items in place and have the staging company add items around your possessions or you can look do a merger of the two options with consultation of the professionals.
One important consideration is that Staging is not about showcasing the owners tastes but rather setting the scene for sale and ensuring the home is presented in the most appealing light to the average buyer that it can be.
Ready to kickstart the practical side of selling a property? Here's what to do:
1. Remove Clutter
Removing clutter is the first step to getting a house ready for sale and should be done whether or not you intend to formally style a home. Removing your family photos and keepsakes ensures that potential buyers can imagine themselves in the home - rather than feeling like they're looking around someone else's home.
2. Make Sure All Surfaces Are Sparkling
Clean, clean and clean some more! It might sound obvious but it's shocking how often houses are put on the market before they've had a thorough clean. Unless the house is about to be torn down, it's almost always preferable to ensure it's free of dirt and grime if you're looking to get the highest price possible.
Think shiny surfaces, sparkling floors, crystal-clear glass and windows. As first impressions last, you might even want to think about ridding the home of any smells by shampooing the carpet and sourcing some fresh candles to set the scene.
3. Keep It Neutral And Minimal
The last thing you want is for potential buyers to be so distracted by certain design choices that they don't see the potential of the space. So, when in doubt, keep home staging neutral. Neutral hues are sophisticated enough that they will appeal to many but also not offensive so you're unlikely to put people off. In other words, they're a safe option.
4. Only Use Appropriately-Sized Furniture
One of the biggest mistakes vendors can make is having oversized furniture because rooms will appear smaller.
If you're a fan of huge sofas that take up your whole living room you might want to consider borrowing or hiring a smaller lounge setting to ensure the room doesn't look smaller than it actually is.
Styling for sale is about allowing buyers to make a mental note about whether or not their possessions will fit in the space or not. If they think they'll have to buy all new furniture then it's less likely they'll purchase the home.
5. Create An Inviting Space
Although we've mentioned keeping it minimal and clearing the clutter, you'll still want to ensure the space feels a cosy and inviting so potential buyers can imagine themselves feeling at home and comfortable in the space. Think a few layers of textural fabrics - such as cushions and throws in luxe fabrications. Fresh flowers also do wonders.