If you’re trying to sell your home and you want it to appeal to a wide range of potential buyers, knowing how to properly stage it 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, you should avoid these home staging mistakes.
Your Guide To Home Staging
The housing market is more competitive than ever. Staging your home is a critical step in the selling process if you want to make it stand out in listing photos. A well-staged home can increase your chances of selling it faster and for more money. We’re here to give you all the ins and outs of showing your home and tell you what home staging mistakes you can avoid.
Does a House Sell Better Empty or Staged?
When you stage your home, furniture, decorations, and decor are set up to make it as attractive as possible. 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 2022, 95% of staged homes sold in 11 days or less, which is 87% faster than non-staged homes. Plus, they sold for 17% more.
Depending on how much work your home needs to be staged, hiring a professional stager could cost you a pretty penny. It’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons and decide what’s most important to you. If selling your home as quickly as possible is a high priority, staging the area can help you achieve that.
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 to make the room seem more open. The presence of natural light and fresh flowers or plants will also add to the living room's essence.
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.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of every home. Many meals will be prepared here, and lots of gatherings and conversations will be held. Make the space seem as open as possible by keeping clutter to a minimum and countertops clear. Some accent colors in a kitchen are a unique way to make it stand out from the rest.
Master 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.
What Are the Top 10 Home Staging Mistakes To Avoid?
Set yourself up for success when selling your home and avoid these 10 crucial home staging mistakes.
1. Hanging Artwork Too High
You should always hang paintings, artwork, and other wall decorations at eye level. If you’re taller or shorter than the average person and have your items hung accordingly, you should adjust them 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. Failure To Clean a Home Thoroughly
Cleaning your home thoroughly 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.
4. Lack of Style
Indeed, 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.
5. Unpleasant Smells
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. Dark Paint Colors
Yes, dark paint colors can complement certain rooms in a home. However, they can easily make a space 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.
8. 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 or 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.
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 so you can 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!
The BlueWest Team Is Here To Help
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.
