If you’re trying to sell your home and want it to appeal to a wide range of potential buyers, knowing how to stage it properly is critical. When staging is done the right way, families can envision themselves living in your home and will jump at the opportunity to put in an offer.
So, if you want to make your home stand out from the crowd while it’s on the market, here’s what you should not do when staging a house.
Does a House Sell Better Empty or Staged?
Staging your home includes setting up your furniture and decorations to make it as attractive as possible to most home buyers. The goal is to make the space appear brighter, bigger, and overall better. You want home buyers to feel joy and excitement when looking at your home and picture themselves living there.
On average, a house sells better when staged rather than empty. In fact, in 2023, professionally staged homes spent 73% less time on the market than those without staging. Also, staged homes on the market sold for 25% more than homes without staging.
What Are the Most Important Rooms to Stage When Selling a House?
Knowing which rooms to focus on when staging your home is key. As a general rule, it’s recommended that you spend most of your efforts in the spaces where people spend most of their time at home or entertaining guests.
Living Room
Living rooms are extremely important to home buyers. Your goal should be to make yours as inviting as possible. Opting for a new area rug can make all the difference in a space, or adding modern furniture with ideal placement that makes the room seem more open. Natural light and fresh flowers or plants will also add to the living room's essence and ambiance.
Dining Room
While some dining rooms don’t get used daily in homes, they still have a lot of value. When shopping for your dream home, you envision birthdays, holidays, and special occasions spent there with friends and family. Set the stage for entertaining by adding a long table to the dining room paired with minimal yet elegant chairs. Some simple but elegant table settings can be beneficial, too.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of every home. Many meals will be prepared here, and many gatherings and conversations will be held. Make the space seem as open as possible by keeping clutter to a minimum and countertops clear. You should also always make sure the trash is empty, and there aren’t any unpleasant smells in the space before an open house.
Primary Bedroom
The primary bedroom will be the home buyer’s personal oasis, so making it feel welcoming and luxurious is essential. Tidy up your closet, keep things organized, and keep as many things off the floor as possible. For a clean look, opt for a light-colored comforter and utilize curtain rods close to the ceiling to elongate windows and enhance the space.
Home Office/Guest Room
In today’s world, having a home office is more important than ever. Now, you have to allow buyers to envision their home not only as a place to live but also as a place to work. We recommend staging a home office and guest room altogether in one if you’re short on rooms. The versatility of your space is always a bonus. We recommend having this room be further away from the primary bedroom if possible and have windows that allow natural light to stream in.
What Should You NOT Do When Staging a House?
Set yourself up for success when selling your home and avoid these 10 crucial home staging mistakes.
The Top 10 Home Staging Mistakes To Avoid
1. Hanging Artwork Too High
You should always hang paintings, artwork, mirrors, and other wall decorations at eye level. If you’re taller or shorter than the average person, be sure to arrange your items accordingly for staging.
2. Too Much Children’s Clutter
Many home buyers have a family or want one in the future, but some do not. It’s best to make your home appeal to everyone, so keep your kids' clutter to a minimum and make their bedrooms attractive.
3. Lack of Style
You don’t want your home to be filled with mementos or items that appeal only to you, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have personality or style. Think of your property as a beautiful hotel. You want it to be neutral, yet stylish and appealing to a wide range of people.
4. Failure To Clean a Home Thoroughly
Cleaning your home is essential before showing it. If it isn’t up to buyers’ standards, they’ll immediately be turned off. Hiring a professional cleaning company is a good investment if you don’t want to do the deep cleaning yourself. If you do hire a cleaner, many of them have an option where they clean the home specifically for showings.
5. Unpleasant Odors
Often, we become immune to the smells in our home, whether from pets, food, sprays, or perfumes. Newcomers will instantly notice an unpleasant odor, so it’s important to neutralize the scent of your home before they walk in the door.
6. Too Much Furniture
Too much furniture in one space instantly makes the room feel cluttered and smaller. Having minimal furniture is the best way to make the space seem open and inviting while allowing buyers to envision what they can do with the area to make it their own.
7. Too Many or Lack of Focal Points
To make a room seem livable and organized, you should have one primary focal point. In a living room, it could be a fireplace TV; in a kitchen, it could be an island; in a bedroom, it could be the bed or a large mirror. Pick one main focal point and set up and decorate the area centering around it.
8. Dark Paint Colors
Yes, dark paint colors can complement certain rooms in a home. However, they can easily make a space feel smaller and less appealing to guests. Try to keep paint neutral shades within the same palette throughout your home and keep a steady flow going.
9. Going Too Trendy
While it’s crucial to impress buyers with your home’s style, incorporating the latest and greatest interior trends isn’t the best way. It’s best to stick with a transitional style. Transitional styles allow you to bridge the gap between trendy and traditional to appeal to buyers from all walks of life.
10. Old Paint
Having dull, scratched, or outdated paint in your home can be an instant turnoff. Investing in a fresh coat of paint is the best way to make the house feel brand new. Plus, it will smell new, too! If you don’t want to take the time to paint walls, redoing the trim or baseboards can be extremely effective.
Boost Your Home Selling Process with BlueWest Properties
Don't make home staging mistakes that will slow down your home selling process. BlueWest Properties can help ! If you need help staging and selling your home, contact one of our real estate agents at BlueWest Properties. With years of selling experience, our agents have what it takes to get you the best offer possible.
