7 Tips for Staging Your Home

If you are planning to put your house on the market soon, it goes without saying that you are hoping to sell your home as quickly as possible and get your asking price. Set the stage for success with these 7 tips for setting the stage for your home, and see results — fast.

If done smartly, the money spent staging will be made up tenfold in the house sale — and you keep all the hot accessories for yourself afterward.

Here are some tips I used when staging my Chicago home. Oh and by the way the exact same home down the street took 3 months longer to sell (No staging)

1. Boost curb appeal.

This is something you always hear, and with very good reason. Many people thinking of touring your home will do a quick drive-by first, often deciding on the spot if it is even worth a look inside. Make sure your home is ready to lure in onlookers with these tips

• Power wash siding and walkways
• Hang easy-to-read house numbers
• Plant blooming flowers and fresh greenery
• Mow lawn, and reseed or add fresh sod as needed
• Wash front windows

2. Get your house sparkling clean.

From shining floors and gleaming windows to clean counters and scrubbed grout, every surface should sparkle. This is the easiest (well, maybe not easiest, but certainly the cheapest) way to help your home put its best foot forward. You may want to hire pros to do some of the really tough stuff, especially if you have a large house. Don’t skimp — this step is key!

3. Clear it all out

I mean it, girlfriend, move every single thing out of your place. That goes for your beloved troll doll collection, leopard skin rug, and the couch your mom claims you were born on. As sentimental as these things might seem to you, buyers want to be able to imagine themselves in your space; seeing clothes in the closet, family photos and random tchotchkes prevents them from doing so.

After moving everything out, then place in only necessary furniture back, keeping in mind that you want the space to look BIG, CLEAN, SPACIOUS and UNCLUTTERED. This isn’t supposed to be a functional room. Nope. As you can see in this living area, you can lose the TV, stereo, side tables and ottomans if it creates more room.

4. Freshen up the style

You may be a diehard shabby chic follower, but even Rachel Ashwell would agree that not everyone is. Aim for a style that most buyers would like, even if it’s not your cup of tea. Furnishings that seem homey and comforting — yet fresh and contemporary — give an aura that your home is updated and well cared for. Neutrals work best; just add colorful touches here and there.

For a home office, I would use a bright rug to punch in some color and pattern to an otherwise boxy white room. The clear console stands in for a desk (if buyers saw a real desk stacked with papers and dirty coffee mugs, they’d run for the hills). Curtains hide the closet doors and soften the hard walls. Stick-on mirrors from IKEA reflect light and space.

5. Mirror, mirror on the wall

Who’s the fairest one of all? Your room, that’s who. Use mirrors liberally to make your area look bigger, lighter and brighter, and to allow sunlight to bounce all over the walls.

In this small dining area, the mirror even adds color by reflecting the painting that’s hanging in the living area. How’s that for working double duty?

6. Play with texture

Wallpaper, pillows, rugs, blankets, baskets and other tactile accessories can play up texture in a room. It’s an easy way for anyone, even my colorblind husband, to add warmth to a blah room.

7. Don’t forget the details

Set the table. It’s easy to do and makes a big impact. Buyers walk in and instantly feel welcome, like as if they’re coming over for dinner. Light clean- or nonscented candles, and place plush towels and fancy soap in the bathrooms, a breakfast tray on the bed, a succulent on the counter, and a pretty book on the coffee table.

I hope these suggestions help you when it comes to staging your home. If you want some further research, here is a great link from HGTV on staging your home which gives even more tips and tricks on this topic.