Staging your home in preparation for selling can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The first step is to understand why it’s an essential step in the process. Whether you work with a designer or take on the task yourself, the goal is to help potential buyers see themselves in your space, often identifying how you can optimize space to enhance key selling features.
It’s a significant investment, but real estate staging has many benefits, including retaining higher offers, selling your home faster and building a competitive edge. Plus, the principles used in luxury home stating can also help you style your home for a professional gathering or any special event. Read on to hear our top tips.
Put on Your Buyer’s Glasses
While it’s not a specific design task, considering the buyer’s mindset can help you successfully approach luxury home staging. Look to the general vibe and aesthetic of the neighbourhood where your home is, including surrounding amenities like schools, parks, stores, commuting, etc. In the case of special events, understanding your guests’ expectations and styles can help you envision your design and staging choices.
Related: 10 Ways to Transform Your Bathroom Into a Luxury Spa Retreat
Make It Less Personal
It might not feel natural to you, but removing personal items from the home is a crucial element when it comes to staging. Scan the house and remove family photos, personal mementos and any additional decor uniquely specific to you and store them away. After all, you want the people viewing your home to envision their future without witnessing your present.
Remove Clutter and Distractions
Grab some boxes and pack away any items that take up space or provide a distraction for potential buyers. You want them to focus on the most interesting features of your home, which shouldn’t include pursuing your collection of books piling up on a nightstand or drawing their attention to piles of toys or laundry that still need to be folded. Ensure counters, tables and shelves are cleared of clutter, or replaced with tasteful decor.
Be Mindful of Bold Colours and Accents
Colour is essential to help breathe new life into dull spaces, but you’ll need to strike a balance. Tasteful accent walls and pops of colour in your decor can work well in large rooms, but neutral shades are often easier on the eyes. When in doubt, work with a designer to help you determine what makes the most sense before mixing paint or purchasing flashy drapes and furniture. The goal is to create spaces that appeal to a broad audience without isolating key buyers.
Mirror Magic
Mirrors create the illusion of more space, while adding light and depth to any room in the home. Placing tasteful mirrors in strategic places throughout the space is more affordable than costly renovations. To avoid unnecessary holes in the wall, lean mirrors against furniture such as a fireplace mantel, or rest them against the wall on top of dressers and shelves.
Related: 10 Stunning Statement Mirrors for Every Style and Budget
Rearrange or Eliminate Furniture
The flow of each room in your home is essential in maintaining the buyer’s interest. Create a space where everything in the house connects seamlessly without making things overcrowded or bare. To help aid in this effort, consider rearranging your furniture to create an airier atmosphere and allowing the rooms to appear more spacious. Sometimes, placing some furniture in storage might be necessary to decrease the volume where it counts the most.
Incorporate Plants or Flowers
Breathe a little life into each room with floral accents and tasteful greenery. Plants and flowers effortlessly invite colour into a dreary space, creating a calming vibe cascading throughout the home. Larger plants can also fill empty spaces or add texture and dimension to any room. If you already have plants displayed in your home, make sure they’ve been dusted, wiped down and watered so they appear healthy and clean.
Related: 10 Tall Potted Plants That Add a Touch of Luxury
Let There Be Light
Evaluate your current light fixtures, including all dimmers and bulb types, to determine if the amount of lighting in your home is complementary to the style you present. Good lighting can set the right mood; even if buyers are visiting the space during the day, they might choose to flick the lights on and off, so you’ll want to make it count.
Make It Cozy and Inviting
When it comes to luxury home staging, making things appear cozy and lived-in can help you seal the deal. Plush linens, fluffy throw blankets and accent pillows can warm a cold space and help buyers imagine a perfect night in with loved ones. Adding some candles throughout the home also lends itself well to creating comfort; just be mindful of strong scents that could be too much for some guests passing through.
Curb Appeal Matters
Finally, if you live in a house, don’t forget to pay attention to the exterior of your home too. Curb appeal is a common phrase you’ll hear from agents and designers — and it’s for good reason. Potential buyers will first see your outdoor space; the goal is to get them inside the house. A curated and expertly groomed landscape can help sell your home in addition to incorporating shrubs or flower beds, while making sure that the entirety of your outdoor space is pristine.
