Selling your home depends on many factors. Most importantly, it relies on the feeling it exudes when a potential buyer walks through the door. You want to make them feel welcomed and at ease. This is why home staging is so important. Although the thought of it may be overwhelming, it could help your home move quickly and for top dollar. Some realtors may even offer this service as part of their package, but if not, you can do it yourself with a little inspiration. For starters, we suggest the 3 D’s: depersonalize, declutter and decorate. Then when you’re ready, you can consider some of the DIY home staging tips below.
1. Use your resources
Can you think of an interior designer or realtor within your network? Invite them over to view the home in person and pick their brain. They may be able to direct you to local businesses that offer furniture rentals or moving services
2. Revive your rooms
Take a true and critical look at your place. Does the kitchen look outdated? Are there stains on the upholstery? Does the bathroom look worn out? Making a few changes can help freshen things up.
If your kitchen cabinets darken up the room, consider painting them. You can also update their hardware with something new for the finishing touch. Doing these updates yourself is a great alternative to replacing the cabinets, as it is much more cost-effective.
In the living room, do your rugs and window treatments pass the cleanliness check? If they are old and dirty, it’s best to get them cleaned or replaced.
Next, check out the bathroom(s). Take a look around at the sink and tiles. Re-applying the grout and caulking can make the room look fresh and clean.
3. Change your layout
If your space seems small and crowded, it is likely that you have accumulated too much furniture over the years. Consider donating, selling or storing larger items that you may want to keep for your next home. You can work with virtual room planners to help visualize the best placement for current furniture or future purchases.
Let the home’s unique characteristics do the talking. Is there leaded glass in the living room or vaulted ceilings in the entryway? Keep the curtains pulled back to showcase your gorgeous windows and use decor that accentuates the height in the room. A fresh coat of paint in a warm yet neutral colour can work like magic.
4. Boost your appeal
Ensure the entryway of the home is clean and has a nice doormat. If it’s on the larger side, a pair of outdoor chairs and side table would be a great addition. The property should smell nice when you walk in, but not overly fragrant.
While staging, try to showcase all of the possible amenities that the house can provide. It could be a nursery set up in a small bedroom, or a work from home desk in a multipurpose bedroom. Give potential buyer(s) options of how they can use the space. If your house has an awkward empty space, create a designated “drop zone” for day to day things like keys, mail and device charging.
5. Accentuate your aesthetic
Do you want your home to make a statement? While the safe and neutral choices for paint schemes are welcomed, so are splashes of colour in accessories. Bold hues in accent furniture or throw blankets are great options. Think of a theme and roll with it for select items throughout the home. This is the time to get creative with artwork as well.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to sell to a specific demographic, it’s best to avoid overly themed staging. Test your styling limits by mixing metallics and materials. An office space with leather chairs can be styled with a sheepskin rug and shiny lamp. Mix and match textures, colours, patterns and light until it feels just right.
It’s ready to sell!
Now that you have an idea of what your home needs, it’s time to get started with your home staging! You will feel relief as you begin to declutter. Letting go of things that no longer serve you and likely won’t serve others can be freeing and purposeful at the same time. Good luck on this next step!
