Home Staging Tips
Research shows that prospective buyers form an opinion on a property within a few seconds of walking through the front door – sometimes even beforehand! First impressions are most often the ones that stick, which is why we place such importance on the presentation of the homes we market for sale. The simplest changes to the interior and exterior of your home can make a huge difference, so we’re going to share with you some of our home staging tips to help you sell your property with success. Bear these in mind and you’ll see a marked improvement in viewing numbers, as well as higher offers and a quicker sale.
What is home staging?
Home staging is essentially the way you decorate and present your house to get it looking its best, making it stand out and appeal to the largest number of prospective buyers. You’re dressing your home for success, in the same way that we try to look our very best selves for a job interview or an important meeting.
Freshening tired decor, carrying out repairs, decluttering and tidying up, doing a deep clean in every nook and cranny, adding select artwork and accessories, using lighting to highlight space and features, adding plants and a beautiful arrangement of flowers to bring nature inside, all with the aim of making your home feel as appealing and welcoming as possible to every viewer.
With many house hunters now viewing properties online, staging your home before photographs and videos are taken is the best way to increase your chances of getting great images, generating lots of interest, and getting the best price for your home.
Remove clutter
Almost all homes have clutter, in some form or another – its impossible to avoid it! However, everyone’s taste is different, so the things that a seller may view as essential items or decorative accessories, prospective buyers may consider clutter. Take a step back and view each room in your home objectively – this is key to successfully staging your home for sale.
Minimise personal belongings and excess decorative items; remove certain furniture that may detract from available space; hide or organise things like recycling, toys, dog beds, laundry, shoes, paperwork, etc in a way that looks organised and tidy; neatly arrange all your cupboard space in case viewers take a wee peek inside (which often happens!) If you have a garden our some kind of outdoor space, make sure that it’s looking shipshape as well.
You’re promoting a lifestyle as much as you’re selling a property, so you want viewers to be inspired by your home and be able to see themselves living there. The less ‘clutter’ you have, the easier it will be for others to imagine their own belongings in the space.
Freshen decor
It’s difficult to keep walls and woodwork looking brand new for very long, no matter how hard you try. If it has been some time since you last decorated, it’s worthwhile repainting the walls and woodwork in your home before putting it on the market.
If any of your rooms have really bright or bold colours, it may also be an idea to repaint in neutral tones. This will ensure that your home appeals to as many viewers as possible. Very few people are averse to white or light coloured walls, so this is a safe bet when selling a property.
Decorating in neutral tones also makes it easier for viewers to focus on the space and features of your home, rather than being distracted by a colour or pattern on the walls that they may not like. Walls can easily be painted, but not everyone is able to see past decor, so it’s a worthwhile thing to do!
Dress windows
Regardless of whether your home has beautiful period windows, adding blinds or curtains can add real wow factor. Small windows can look bigger with lovely long drapes, and less attractive windows can be improved with the addition of a simple blind – be that wooden Venetians, plain rollers, or sophisticated Roman blinds in a lovely linen fabric.
Make sure curtains are drawn back and blinds are at least 3/4 of the way up to allow lots of natural light to flood into the rooms. And last but not least, get all of your windows cleaned, inside and out, before viewings commence.
Add decorative accessories
Your choice of decorative accessories is very important when selling your home. Remove too much and your house will feel uninviting and too perfect to be lived in, but add too much and it may be overwhelming for viewers and detract from the space and features of your home. Balance is key!
Choose a select few cushions and throws to add texture, colour and homely comforts. Use mirrors to consider the way you light rooms to make spaces appear bigger. Remove personal photographs so that viewers are able to image themselves living there. If you have wooden floors, add a rug to make your home feel more cosy and comforting.
It’s also a great idea to get some new white or neutral linens for your bedroom and bathroom. A beautifully made bed, adorned with crisp sheets, a soft throw and some plump pillows and cushions will look incredibly appealing and sophisticated. For the final touch, add fresh towels and a few luxury toiletries to bathrooms to make viewers feel like they’re in a fancy hotel!
