Whether you’re guiding a client on how to best prepare their home or you are selling your own home – we wanted to share the best home staging tips to not only get amazing listing photos but also help sell a home faster!
1) Renovate
If a home seller has the budget for it, there are many quick cosmetic updates that they can make to create a more appealing overall look. Having a consistent paint color throughout the main living areas is highly recommended. The color of the hour? Gray or griege. Yes, gray is still ever popular for home interiors. Griege is a blend of gray and beige which gives it a nice warm tone. If you select the right shade, it creates a very welcoming and happy space.
2) Declutter
This one may seem obvious. However, we don’t just mean to make sure the home doesn’t look like a hoarder lives there. Oh, no. We mean everything. Does a room feel small because of the pieces of furniture in it? Consider having certain pieces removed or even swapped for other pieces in the house. You want to maximize the overall size of the home. Is the pantry fully stocked? Take out at least 30-40% of the items and have them stored, leaving the remaining items neatly arranged. This once again creates the illusion there is a lot of space. This same hack can be used for closets and attic space.
3) Depersonalize
This goes hand in hand with decluttering. Are there a lot of personal photos displayed? Maybe kids’ toys? Or even pet beds and toys? All of these items could potentially hamper a prospective buyer from being able to envision themselves in a home. It is a great idea to have these items put in storage before listing photos and video is done. The home will naturally also become less cluttered as these items get stowed away.
4) Home Accents
Once the home has been decluttered and depersonalized, it is important to add home accents that make a visually appealing room. The right throw pillows in a living room, a casually draped throw on the corner of a bed, a basket of fruit in the kitchen. Small accents in each room can really make an impact. This doesn’t stop on the interior! The right accents on the exterior can make the best first impression with a prospective buyer. Making sure the landscaping is immaculate, and adding some florals near the entryway will instantly make the home more inviting.
5) Professional Clean
Advising that clients use a cleaner before picture day is always a plus! Dirty kitchen appliances, streaky mirrors or windows, or grimy bathrooms can really deter a potential buyer. You want the home to be spotless. Plus, all this prep work will have you soaring through your first open house! Win-win!
6) Re-Imagine A Spare Room
If there is additional space in the home, whether that’s a spare room or extra space in a larger room or finished basement, it might be best to capitalize on it by creating a home office space. With many businesses continuing to have remote work days, it is becoming more important for homebuyers to see a home office. A recent survey, conducted by the PulteGroup, found that 46% of homebuyers considered a home office or workspace paramount in terms of dedicated space. Staging an office can really make an impact with today’s buyers.
7) Appeal to All the Senses
While you may not need to appeal to all the senses for the sake of listing photography. You will want your client to consider this when it comes time for showings and the first open house. We’ve covered sight and touch with the added home accents, cleaning, and decluttering. Having a COVID-friendly treat can satiate taste. Our suggestion? Individually wrapped cookies with your logo. You can check out Batter That Matters, a baker that offers individually wrapped cookies with a custom sticker. They also donate a portion of profits to different charities each season! Now that we have taste covered, you won’t want to forget the smell. This can be achieved with aroma diffusers, the addition of fresh flowers in different rooms, or even the ever-classic fresh baked cookies!
Some clients are more for the DIY, others may want some professional intervention. If you are looking for an interior designer’s help, lulu Home offers their expertise in design services to help stage your home making it hassle-free. If your client has already moved out and the home is empty, we are here to help. Our virtual staging offering can be a great way to have more dynamic listing photos to draw in more potential buyers. Reach out to us to find out more!
By Katherine Fosella