Home Staging Tips and Tricks

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Posted: May 13, 2024 by VCK Group

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BY: Kaelyn Lacefield

A home is more than just a place, it is a feeling and holds memories. Staging your home to potential sellers will allow them to envision themselves in the home and to hopefully make the place feel like their own. You want your home to be clean and looking its best while not spending too much on revamping the place. From curb appeal to the color scheme and even the smell, preparing your home for selling will make it more marketable and able to sell faster. Read our guide to staging your entire house without the need for hiring a professional, if you want to save some extra money. 

Start With Repairs!

Make sure everything in the house is in tip top shape. Getting this out of the way first will prevent stress and hassle later. If needed, go around the house and touch up paint, fix leaking pipes, if its in your budget replace broken things like blinds, light fixtures, and clean gutters. 

Tackling Each Room

Living Room

• Clean (vacuum and dust surfaces) and get rid of clutter. Shampoo carpet.

• Remove excess furniture and rearrange to make the space flow

• Replace old rugs, pillows and dark curtains

• Remove personal photos. 

• Put personal items such as kid’s toys, laptops, TV control etc. away in a safe place

• Open blinds to let natural light in 

• Put cords and wires out of sight

• Add some flare, like flowers, candles or make use of attractive décor you own. 

Kitchen

• Clean oven

• Clean microwave 

• Clean and organize the refrigerator from the inside out. Empty it temporarily if your are using it and deep clean the inside. 

• Clean the oven

• Remove extra appliances that take up too much space (coffee maker, toaster etc.)

• Declutter cabinets 

• Update or repaint painted cabinets

• Ensure floors are cleaned

Dining Room

• Set the table to add ambiance. Keep it simple. 

• Declutter and clean

• Make sure the lighting is good (open blinds, curtains update light fixtures if necessary

• Add house plants, flower arrangement, you can also put out a bowl of fruit or chocolate for a personable feel

Bedroom

• Pull the bed away from the wall

• Change bedding with a clean set

• Remove personal items

• Declutter closets and bookshelves

• Dust surfaces and vaccume

• Organize closet, if it’s a walk-in closet make sure the space is picked up for buyers to see the size. 

• Shampoo carpet

Bathroom

• Fix any leaks and recalk is need be

• Replace old shower head if they’re old

• Hang natural towels that are clean and new

• Take off toiletries and other items from counter

• Wipe mirrors, clean around the sink, the toilet the floor, the shower and bathtub

• Spray a freshly clean room spray to add to the cleanliness

Cleaning every inch of the house is the main task before staging your home. Think of all four senses throughout this process. Remove any smells from pets, food or other odors and add candles or diffusers to make the atmosphere smell good; repaint over bright walls, allow natural lighting in and make use of tasteful décor. 

Staging Tips

If you are not hiring a professional, look for inspiration from others in terms of layout and colors. Find ideas on Pinterest and Instagram or home staging sites to see before and after photos, and to help planning. Your living area is typically the focal point of any house, if your home has an open floor plan, you will have more space to work with. Your master bedroom and kitchen are also two other man attractions with the highest impact. These along with the living room should be your focus when it comes to staging. 

To enhance the aesthetic, repaint over old colors, with a fresh and trendy neutral color. Consider purchasing linens for bedding, stylish pillows to add a pop of color in your living room. Consider accent walls, paying attention to wall art think about is most visually appealing, and add accessories with plants and make use of décor you have already. Keep it simple and classy. 

Outside/Curb Appeal

The outside of your home is the first thing buyers see; so, first impressions are important. There are several affordable touch-ups you can do in a short amount of time to prepare the home and increase your home’s attractiveness. Keep these things in mind for starting outside projects. 

1. Landscape maintenance: Especially in the warmer months, mow lawn and keep it hydrated, trim bushes and shrubs, and plant flowers and weed out flower beds.

2. Colorful plants and Flowers: Plant seasonal flowers or buy potted plans. Opt for Chrysanthemum or (mums) for fall, tulips, marigolds, roses or zinnias for spring and summer.

3. Clean the exterior: Power wash the siding, sidewalks, and driveway. 

4. Add some Warmth: Add a new welcome mat, seasonal wreath or potted plant for a personal touch.

5. Upgrade front door: A fresh coat of paint boots curve appeal. Choose a color that complements the exterior and adds a welcoming touch. 

6. Update hardware and lighting: Replace old or worn doorknobs, locks and light fixtures for new modern ones. 

7. Keep things ti Sweep entry way and sidewalk of leaves and dirt, and keep the outdoor furniture clean and organized. 

 

How to Take Stunning Pictures at Home

Taking pictures yourself may seem daunting, but capturing beautiful photos showcasing your home is achievable even with just a smartphone. If you don't have access to a professional camera, don't worry! Your smartphone can still produce impressive results.

 See Through the Lens

Remember, you're staging for the camera. Visualize how each room will appear through the lens and arrange furniture and decor accordingly. Consider the vantage point of the camera and highlight the most appealing features of each space.

1. Banish wrinkles: The camera doesn't play nice with wrinkles, especially when it comes to sheets, pillows, and shower curtains. Invest in a professional steamer to eliminate wrinkles and ensure that your bedding and bathroom linens look pristine in photographs.

2.  Embrace the Light Lighting can make or break a photograph. Opt for indirect sunlight, as harsh sunlight can create unflattering shadows and wash out colors. Cloudy days provide soft, diffused light that is ideal for photoshoots. Be sure to clean up any areas outside windows that may detract from the overall image.

3.  Curate the Color Scheme Limiting the color scheme of your staged home can create a cohesive and visually appealing aesthetic. While pops of color can add interest, neutrals as the prevailing palette tend to photograph better. Choose a harmonious color scheme that complements each room's decor.

4.  Emphasize Repetition, Pattern, and Rhythm: When staging for photographs, consider incorporating elements of repetition, pattern, and rhythm into your design. These three design principles are visually pleasing and can help create a sense of cohesion throughout your home.

5.  Less is More: Avoid overdecorating your home for pictures. Remember, the goal is to showcase the space, not distract from it. Keep decor minimal to create an impression of spaciousness and brightness in your photographs.

6. Consider Hiring a Professional For truly professional-looking images, consider hiring a professional photographer. A skilled photographer will have the expertise and equipment to capture your home in its best light, ultimately helping you attract more potential buyers.

Staging your home for sale is about creating a welcoming space that potential buyers can envision themselves living in. Start by making repairs and decluttering every room. Keep things clean, neutral, and organized, both inside and out. When taking pictures, focus on showcasing the best features of each room and use natural light whenever possible. By following these steps, you can make your home more attractive to buyers and increase your chances of selling quickly.