Preparing a home for sale goes beyond mere cleaning; it entails the art of home staging. The essence of staging lies in guiding potential buyers to envision themselves residing in your property. While larger-scale considerations such as painting and repairs are significant, the arrangement of furniture, bedroom layouts, and even the setup of outdoor spaces like patios can profoundly influence how buyers perceive a residence. To facilitate the buyer’s ability to picture themselves in a space they’ve just entered, professional home stagers employ proven techniques to create a blank canvas with adaptable and personalized designs. In the following sections, experts in home staging, namely Nikki Watson, the founder of The Design Quad, and Shari Casanova, the owner of Staged Above, will share seven styling recommendations that homeowners should consider before hanging the “For Sale” sign.
1.Depersonalize the Residence
Despite its unusual nature, experts emphasize that the initial step involves the removal of personal items from the home. While taking down family photos, wedding pictures, and children’s art might be challenging, it can yield significant benefits. Prospective buyers need to envision themselves in the property, surrounded by their own memorabilia rather than the previous owners’.
Additionally, Casanova suggests, “People are nosy and tend to focus on who resides in the home rather than the property itself.” During her consultations with clients in the Frederick, Maryland area, she advises on strategies to divert attention away from personal belongings and towards the house itself. “Conceal all prescription medications to avoid disclosing your name,” she reminds homeowners. However, there’s no need to conceal odors. “Plug-in air fresheners may raise suspicions that you are hiding something,” she cautions.
2.Freshen Up the Paint
“Painstakingly applied paint can be equivalent to money in a can,” according to Casanova. Giving interior walls a fresh coat of paint is a straightforward measure homeowners can take to enhance the home’s appeal. In most instances, professional paint jobs produce noticeably superior results compared to DIY efforts, especially concerning the precision around moldings, electrical outlets, and corners. Buyers can be discerning, so if you opt to refresh the paint, do it with care.
Furthermore, be attentive to prevailing trends before embarking on a new paint job. “Gray is no longer in vogue,” notes Casanova. Therefore, if you aim for a neutral palette, consider the more contemporary warm neutrals, such as soft whites.
If time and budget constraints prevent you from repainting the entire residence, concentrate on rooms that would benefit most from a fresh coat of paint. The living room, kitchen, and master bedroom are pivotal areas to consider. Alternatively, target rooms where the paint appears aged, chipped, or soiled. Even finished basements could benefit from some attention if you’re promoting their square footage as additional living space.
3.Enhance Room Flow
My primary recommendation is to eliminate any furniture obstructing the flow within a room,” advises Watson, whose expertise encompasses properties in the Dallas and Atlanta regions. “Oversized furniture in a room or furnishings facing a doorway should be repositioned or removed from the space. We aim to enable buyers to navigate the room effortlessly and have a clear view of the floor. We’re selling real estate, not furniture.
Watson emphasizes the importance of defining a room’s purpose and allowing buyers to envision their furniture in the area. Thoughtfully positioning furniture along the room’s walls opens up the living space and enables buyers to imagine how it would feel with their furniture. A professional home stager can help determine whether it’s best to store your furniture and rent simpler, more streamlined pieces solely for the showcasing process prior to the sale.
4.Incorporate White Towels
Accent items and neutral decor constitute an affordable addition that greatly appeals to potential buyers. Watson emphasizes, “White towels in the bathroom are essential! Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, and the more spa-like the bathrooms appear, the more attractive they are to prospective buyers.” Rolling towels in baskets, placing them on countertops, or draping them across the tub can impart a sense of luxury to the bathroom. Designer labels are unnecessary; the key lies in the crispness and plushness of the towels. This minor detail exudes opulence, and luxury is a compelling selling point.
