How to Lightly Stage a Home

An empty home can give a cold and lonely vibe. It is not exactly what home buyers would describe as the “welcome home” feeling. When a buyer sees a home that has been staged it is easier for them to visualize it as being a future home. 

Although staging a home is quite necessary, it does not come cheap. Staging a home can cost anywhere between $750-$2,000 per month, depending on the house size and what value you are looking for. To make sure you do not exceed your budget, you can look for small accents to incorporate into each room and bring the “homey” feel every buyer is looking for.

When you are selling your home, it is important to show the purpose of each room for the buyer. Buyers may get confused on how to utilize each space and make it their home. So it is your job to show them the potential of your home!

Start off by using area rugs to define spaces and show where furniture would theoretically go. Making sure the rugs are large enough to almost cover the whole space. As far as colors, each rug should complement the room that it is in.

One of the most simple things you can do to improve the value of a space is adding a fresh coat of neutral colored paint. Our recommended colors for any room is beige, white, or gray. When buyers see bright or bold colored rooms, it may overwhelm them, ultimately turning them off.

What kind of accent piece is warm and brings “light” to any room? A lamp of course! Without bring in a whole living room or bedroom set, lamps can bring brightness to the room while creating a warm, inviting feeling. When choosing light bulbs, think warm temperature bulbs for an intimate ambience.

Bathrooms typically give off a cold feel to begin with but adding small inexpensive items could make the space feel luxurious. Fluffy towels, a pop of color, and a shower curtain will usually do the trick! 

I don’t know about you, but the first thing I look at inside a home is how many windows there are. Natural light is so inviting and really makes the space seem big, bright and full of life. Unfortunately not all homes have many or big windows. If you haven’t had time to change them out, hanging mirrors is the next best thing. When mirrors are added, it creates the feel of a bigger space.

In the kitchen, simplicity is key! It is best to keep the pieces simple on the countertops as most buyers just want to see that there is plenty of counter-space. A favorite of mine to add on the counter tops are fresh flowers. Others include fruit bowls, a piece of art work on the wall, or a tea kettle.

With all the commotion going on on the inside of your home, don’t forget to spice up your curb appeal. Fresh landscaping and a cut lawn! The outside of your home is the buyers’ first impression, you can’t afford to let that slide. Wanting to add more personalization, try adding new house numbers or painting the front door a fresh color.

All in all, adding small, personalized details to a home can be the difference between buyers loving the home or being turned off. If you still feel overwhelmed by the process of staging, I believe it is best to start with the rooms that are more of the “heart of the home” rooms.

Happy Staging!