Settting the Stage for Selling: A home staging guide by ADV Home Team

Staging your home is a vital part of the home selling process. Whether it’s some minor decluttering or replacing some furniture, how a potential buyer sees your home can make a huge difference. 

For Example, did you know that 83% of buyers say that a well-staged space helps them visualize the property as a home and makes them more likely to buy? The Advantage Home Team is here to help get your home buyer ready with exclusive tips and tricks for showcasing the spaces in your home.  

THE MAIN RULES

The main rules of staging are to keep things tidy and avoid any personalization. 

Start by taking care of any clutter. This means removing debris and garbage. You’ll also want to do some cleaning in spots you may have not touched in a while. Like dusting your blinds or wiping your baseboards. 

Here is a list of suggestions on the most impactful spaces to tidy up:

• Ceiling Fans

• Light Bulbs

• Blinds

• Windows (Cleaning both the interior and the exterior panes)

• Baseboards

• Picture Frames

• Top Of Fridge

• Inside the microwave 

• Drum of Washer/Dryer and the controls

• Medicine Cabinet

While cleaning and keeping things tidy is important, another important step is to remove any personal items from the home. Remember the goal of staging is to help the buyer visualize the home as theirs. So to help with that, you should do your best to remove:

•     Personal Photos

•     Signs and posters

•     Small Collectibles

•     Any Valuables

•     Sports Memorabilia

•     Personal Hygiene Products

THE ENTRYWAY / LIVING ROOM

Your entryway and living room are the star of your home. The reason? They’re most likely the first thing a potential buyer sees. First impressions matter and even more so when you’re selling your home.    

If your home is vacant it is important to remember the space shouldn’t look empty. You can stage the living room by adding small touches that help make the space feel warm and inviting. Start by making sure the room is well lit. This helps bring a bright and cheery feel while also helping make your listing photos rich in color.

Good lighting starts with a good base. You can give the living room/entryway that extra touch by ensuring all light bulbs match and emit a cool white or “daylight” style color. 

You also want to bring in natural light into the room. Opening up blinds, cleaning skylights, and making windows sparkly clean can make a world of difference. 

Moving from lighting to furniture, if you have furniture in the home it should be neat and clean. Don’t be afraid of vacuuming or even getting a professional cleaning if needed.

You can add small accents like pillows or rugs but they should match the overall look and feel of the home.

THE KITCHEN

The next room of importance is the kitchen. The kitchen is a space many potential buyers put on their priority list. This is because the kitchen is a room with life. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or cooking breakfast for your family, your kitchen is a focal point for entertaining and daily living.

The basics still apply, focus on making your kitchen feel inviting by making sure it’s well lit, clean, and free of clutter. It’s a good idea to remove any small kitchen appliances from the counter spaces and any food or storage from the top of the fridge. Essentially, the idea is to make your home look move-in ready by creating clean spaces that potential buyers can imagine themselves in. 

If you have a dining table still set in your home it’s a good idea to set it with plates and utensils as if you were inviting someone over for dinner. This helps make the home feel lived in and gives it personality. 

As far as colors are concerned keeping things neutral with earth tones will be your safest bet. However, if your home has a unique color scheme its best to match the table settings to the rest of the decor. 

Using small simple decorations can aid in making the table a focal point of the kitchen. Think about using the following items in addition to the place settings as small accents;

 Simple vases

 Decorative bowls

 Candlesticks

THE MASTER BEDROOM

The next key room is the master bedroom. The setting of the master bedroom can make or break your home. The master bedroom is a place buyers want to picture themselves relaxing in the bedroom can be a personal sanctuary of sorts. You can help your master bedroom shine with just a few simple switches. 

First, we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again––lighting! Double-check your bulbs for color matches, dust any light covers or lamps. Anything that can make the room feel more cheery, cozy, and bright will help. 

The next thing you should be mindful of in the master bedroom is the use of space. The space should be easy to move through. If you have a large dresser or end tables, consider moving things around so there is at least 2-3 feet of width for a walkway between the furniture. Be mindful to not block any windows or doorways as you rearrange things. 

Lastly, consider switching things up with a new comforter or accent pillows. Aesthetically, keep the colors neutral and patterns to a minimum. As you can see in the example bedroom, textures are okay to play with as long as they stay in the same color family. Neutrals don’t have to be boring as long as they are used creatively. 

THE BATHROOM

The Do’s and Don’ts of the bathroom focus on limiting personalization. The key to staging the bathroom is a fine line between emptiness and showcasing small details. 

For example, does your bathroom have a wonderful tile shower? Showcase it by replacing the shower curtain with a neutral color, and opening it 3 quarters of the way to show off the title. 

Just like the other rooms in your home, you should declutter and remove personal items from the shower, drawers, medicine cabinets etc. This includes your personal hygiene products. The bathroom should feel easy to walk through, clear any laundry baskets, extra storage bins, or any pet items. 

       Another tip; don’t forget to wipe down any shiny surfaces like mirrors, countertops, and sinks, sparkly clean surfaces are a small detail that can make a big difference. 

CONCLUSION  

If you’re ever unsure on how to stage something, just remember the goal is to make your home look the ideal home. 

What makes a home feel great? Great lighting, clean spaces, and small accents.

For more resources on staging, selling, or buying a home read more of our blogs or visit our youtube channel!

Read more:

3 Signs You’re Ready To Buy A Home

Safety Tips For A Long Haul Move

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