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As you prepare to list your home for sale, you’re going to want to ensure that each room is staged to capture buyers’ attention (in a good way!), not make them feel unwelcome in or deterred by your space. Here, Southern staging experts highlight five key ways to refresh any room so that it makes the best first impression possible. Making an effort now to evaluate your home through potential buyers’ eyes will majorly pay off in the long run.
Toss The Clutter And Personal Touches
Any well-staged home is free of unnecessary clutter. After all, as Stephanie Worinkeng, the founder of A Time To Organize in Greenville, South Carolina, explains, “The goal of staging is to help potential buyers envision themselves in the home.” However, this won’t be feasible if people are surrounded by too much of your stuff! You will want to pare down wherever possible. “Clear countertops and tables, leaving just a few intentional decorative pieces,” Worinkeng suggests. “Less visual clutter instantly tells the potential buyer that this house has space.”
On a related note, it’s important to remove any ultra-personal touches from the room you’re staging, too, Worinkeng adds, citing family photos as one example. “This helps the buyers envision themselves living in the space rather than feeling like they are invading someone else’s home,” she says.
Style In Odd Numbers
When it comes to the pieces you will be displaying, note that it’s best to style them in groupings of odd numbers, according to Worinkeng. Why, exactly? “A single statement piece or a grouping of three to five items tends to feel more visually appealing,” she says.
Create A Focal Point
It’s also important that the room you’re staging has a clear focal point. “Stand in the doorway and look into the room,” Worinkeng suggests. “What catches your eye and draws you into the room?” She explains that this may be an art piece, vase of flowers, or something else entirely. “We want to naturally draw the potential buyer into the space,” Worinkeng says.
Layer Your Lighting
Relying solely on overhead lighting is a no-no when staging, explains Heather Amalaha, studio principal of Showhomes Premier Design Studio in Austin, Texas. Instead, a layered approach is key. “Using table lamps, floor lamps, and consistent bulb temperatures creates depth, warmth and a more inviting atmosphere,” she says.
Consider Scent
The way a room smells can strongly affect others’ perception of how clean (and welcoming) it is, so it’s important to keep this in mind during the staging process, too. “Eliminate pet and strong household odors,” says Kendall Welch, the founder of Organized by Kendall in Wilmington, North Carolina. “A light, pleasant candle or subtle air freshener can help create a fresh, inviting atmosphere.”
Read the original article on Southern Living
