Room-by-Room Home Staging Guide to Help Sell Your Home
Anyone who is looking to sell their home has one goal in mind: get the most money possible when your home sells. Home staging plays a big role in sparking interest in buyers to meet or exceed your asking price.
We thought we would start with the home staging basics to explain what exactly is meant by “home staging,” its ROI, and its effectiveness. We will also walk you through a room-by-room guide to home staging to hopefully sell your home quickly.
What is Home Staging?
Home staging creates an environment for potential home buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in your home. Staging your house when put on the market allows prospective buyers to visualize where their furniture and decorations would go. Too much or too little home furnishings can make it difficult to understand room size or spatial orientation.
Room-by-Room Home Staging
Brighten Your Curb Appeal
The first impression prospective home buyers will see is your home from the outside. This makes curb the crucial first step in staging your home. Here are some small updates that can have a huge impact on your home’s curb appeal.
- Update your landscape by removing any aging/dead plants and adding inexpensive flowers to brighten up your yard
- Buy a new doormat for a fresh new look
- Give your front door a fresh coat of paint to cover any scratches or stains
- Power wash your drive, concrete patio, steps, deck, and siding to remove any dirt, debris, or mold
- Add landscape lighting to flowerbeds (solar is an inexpensive choice)
- Replace your house numbers and mailbox
Think about curb appeal as the wrapping paper you would put on a gift. The first impression can only be made once, and it pays to put your best foot forward.
Entryways and Foyers
Your home’s entryway is the gateway to your living space and must be inviting. Adding flowers or plants provides a smooth transition from outdoors to indoors. Keep furniture proportional to the area and do not overcrowd. The entryway will be the place where the emotional connection will be made with the home buyer, so take the time to stage this area with care.
Kitchen
Newly remodeled kitchens are attractive to home buyers. If your home has an outdated kitchen and a remodel is not in the budget, here are small changes that can be made that can make a difference.
- Clear countertops and any appliances to keep them clutter-free
- Store countertop appliances or kitchen gadgets
- Touch up any paint on cabinets or walls
- Update cabinet hardware is an inexpensive upgrade that can transform a kitchen
- Add a vase of flowers or a cookbook open on a bookstand to give the area a “lived-in” look and feel
Kitchens sell houses! Many families gather in the kitchen, and it is the highlight of many homes. Making this living space sparkle can be a hot selling point of any home.
Dining Room
Formal dining rooms should feel formal. Use your better dishes to set the table to set the mood. Remove anything from the table that does not have to do with entertaining to leave the possibilities open for the home buyer.
If you do not have a formal dining room, create one. You can use a breakfast area or an extended living area. If creating a dining room, keep the table and chairs proportional to the size of the room.
Dining areas can move home from “ok” to luxurious. Paintings, side tables or buffet tables can round out the area to turn a dining room into a dining experience.
Living Room
Living spaces should be staged as comfortable and cozy. This may require removing furniture that does not fit or overcrowds the area. An ideal living room provides comfortable lounging areas, open concepts, clutter-free with great lighting for family game nights, movie watching, and holiday gatherings.
Bedrooms
The most important bedroom to stage is the master bedroom. If you can stage them all, it is imperative that the master is in tip-top shape. Choose colors that are warm and inviting like soft blues, whites, and beige. Minimize furniture and keep the lighting warm for a great environment. The bed will be the focal point of the room. If your bed has any scratches or dents, do your best to repair if possible. Bedding should be inviting, if your bedding is older, you might buy a new comforter to show off this living area.
Bathrooms
Clean is the most important. The Master bathroom should feel like a spa and be inviting. Clean, calm, and inviting can be accomplished with fresh towels, a new shower curtain, spotless mirrors, and shower doors. Consider any outdated vanities or storage areas. If mirrors are aging, replace them for a fresh, new look. Update toilets if they are old, discolored, or damaged. Fresh paint and updating light fixtures are a great way to give a crisp, new look.
Home Staging Will Pay Off
Staging your home is ultimately about attracting potential home buyers to picture themselves living in your home. Following a few basic principles will create the first impression that is sure to have buyers ready to make an offer.
Have Questions About the Benefits of Home Staging
With over 5 decades of experience in the Houston real estate market, The Matthews Team is ready to help. If you have any questions, give us a call at 281-440-7900 or send us an email. We’re happy to help!
