How to Stage Your Home, Articles, living

How to Stage Your Home

by Vicki Karigiannis
published August 12, 2010

rating: (37 Ratings)

Selling your house is a big deal, but it can get very frustrating when visit after visit doesn’t lead to a buyer. Want ways to help make your home look more presentable and up your chances of a successful sell? Slipcover and Home Solution Company SureFit has shared with us some great tips to help stage your home and make sure it looks presentable for potential buyers.

Ensure a warm welcome. When potential buyers visit your house, the outside is the first thing they’ll see. Be sure it is pleasing to the eye by ensuring your front lawn is mowed, the stairs and porch rail are sturdy, any faded paint is touched up, your old mailbox and porch lights are replaced, etc. Also, to give off a warm vibe, why not add a pretty bench and a few plants?

Make furniture look like new. If you have a living room sofa or chairs that have seen better days, there is no need to spend money on new pieces of furniture. However, they must look presentable, so SureFit suggests opting for slipcovers to modernize your living room at a low cost. Be sure to also add some nice new accents to give it a fresh look.

Keep it clean. This goes without saying, but you need to ensure that your home is spotless. The kitchen is a room that particularly needs to look impressive, so be sure to clean and disinfect counters and tabletops, make sure your stove is degreased, and that the doors of your fridge and cabinets are dirt-free. As for the rest of the home, scrub the bathroom until it shines, and even linen closets and storage spaces need to look tidy. Also, don’t forget to keep a few windows open to let the fresh air in!

Remove family photos. Potential buyers won’t be able to picture themselves living in your house if it still looks like your home. Remove all family photos from the mantle and portraits from the wall (especially outdated ones!), and replace them with framed scenic photos and pretty wall decorations.

Don’t forget the backyard! Much like the front porch and the inside of your home, the backyard also needs to have particular attention paid to it. Make sure the yard is well-kept, that no toys are scattered about, and that any old fences are touched-up with some paint. As for your patio, make sure the deck or balcony are free of dirt, and that your table and chairs look clean; this can be as simple as adding a tablecloth and replacing the cushions. Adding inexpensive décor pieces will also pretty it up for your visitors!

Tag(s): living, home staging, home, décor