Staging increases your home value and decreases the number of days on market. When staged effectively, it will only benefit the selling experience. But how do you know which rooms to focus on? Where do you start? And what changes do you need to make?
Although staging the entire home is ideal, there are specific rooms that should be a priority in order to capture a buyer’s attention. If you’re looking to optimize your home’s appeal to the largest pool of potential buyers before putting it on the market, make sure you stage these 3 rooms.
Living Room
Your living room is the focal point of your house. It is where you live, relax, entertain, and gather. It’s also the room that 55% of buyers say is very important to see staged. Potential buyers want to be able to visualize the space as their home. This means, your living room needs to be effectively staged. If you’re going to stage only one room, this is the one to tackle. Start with these 4 easy tips:
Keep the space open. Remove clutter and eliminate excess items such as toys or extra furniture. If a potential buyer can’t move freely, the room will feel closed off and uninviting.
Keep it simple. If you have unusual design preferences, your room will not appeal to the largest pool of potential buyers. This is not the time to experiment with bold paint colors or unconventional furniture placement. Utilize warm but bright neutrals in your décor such as creamy whites, greige, and clean beige tones, accented with pops of color and neutral design themes that appeal to almost any design buyer.
Open all window coverings or treatments to allow as much natural light in as possible. Or, if your window treatments are outdated, remove them altogether. Remove any furniture that is blocking windows. Painting the ceilings white and the walls a bright, but warm neutral shade will also brighten up the room.
Clean. Potential buyers want to know that the home they are considering has been well cared for. Showcasing a clean home is the most important step when communicating this. Wash the windows and even dust the window sills and ceiling fan.
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom is the second most important room to buyers. The master bedroom is a room where many envision their personal oasis. These staging tips will make your master bedroom feel like a relaxing retreat.
Remove personal items. Remember, this room is a blank canvas for potential buyers to paint their dreams. The more of “you” that is in the room, the harder it is for them to envision themselves living in the home. Put away any family pictures and remove the toiletries from your bathroom.
Make your bed neatly. A nicely made bed will immediately give your room a hospitable feeling. Buy a few extra throw pillows and a while duvet or fluffy comforter. And for a final touch, add a folded blanket at the foot of the bed.
Keep your room gender-neutral. You want each person that enters the room to see a space that they could feel comfortable in. Warm neutral colors are in, making it easy to create a space that everyone will love.
Balance is key in presenting a relaxing master retreat. Create balance by utilizing matching nightstands on each side of the bed with matching lamps. Clear your nightstands of all other items.
Kitchen
Buyers consider the kitchen the third most important room in the house. Some helpful staging tips for your kitchen include:
Keep your kitchen spotless. Since it’s the place you prepare food, it’s important to keep all surfaces clean from food and grime. Remove appliances, knife blocks, and cookbooks from countertops.
Remove all odors. Take out your trash and recycling before a potential buyer enters your house. Add a fresh scented wall plugin or diffuse lemon essential oils during your showings. A bad-smelling kitchen will quickly turn off a potential buyer.
Organize your cabinets and pantry. Remove clutter in order to show off the space. Even though these spaces easily hide clutter, interested buyers will open them to see if there is ample storage.
Accessorize. A little bit of décor goes a long way. Add a nice teapot to your stove. Set out a bowl of fresh fruit on your countertops. Layer a couple of wooden cutting boards against your backsplash, or set out a tray on your island with a stack of bowls, a plant, and a pitcher.
If you need help staging your home, LD Design has you covered. From modern minimalism to a comfy, rustic aesthetic, we can provide your home with a personalized look that suits its needs. Contact one of our consultants today!
Key Takeaways
1. Keep your living room open and neutral.
2. Clean your kitchen and add an extra pop with simple, fresh décor.
3. Show off your master bedroom by creating balance.