10 Golden Rules of Home Staging: An Essential Guide / by Ryan Black

Home staging is a powerful tool in the real estate industry. Sellers use this strategy to make their homes more appealing to potential buyers. By enhancing the property's aesthetics, home staging can facilitate quicker sales and often higher selling prices. Here are ten essential rules of thumb regarding effective home staging.

1. Declutter: Keep it simple and clean. Remove unnecessary items to make the space look more significant and more appealing. This allows potential buyers to imagine the home with their personal items.

2. Neutralize: Opt for neutral and soft colors. Bright, bold colors may deter potential buyers. Neutral shades appeal to a broader audience and make rooms appear larger and brighter.

3. Depersonalize: Make your home a blank canvas for potential buyers. Remove personal items such as family photos, kids' drawings, and religious artifacts to help buyers envision the space as their own.

4. Highlight Focal Points: Focus on the natural focal points in each room, such as a fireplace, an amazing view, or a beautiful piece of furniture. Highlighting these elements can draw buyers in and make your property stand out.

5. Light It Up: Good lighting is vital. Ensure all blinds and curtains are open, and supplement with additional lighting where necessary. A well-lit room feels more inviting and spacious.

6. Define Rooms: Give each room a clear purpose. Convert that "junk room" into an office, guest room, or workout space. A room with a specific purpose is more appealing to buyers.

7. Create Flow: Position furniture and decor to facilitate easy movement from one room to another. You want potential buyers to be able to navigate through the home effortlessly.

8. Freshness: Nothing beats a clean, fresh-smelling home. Ensure your property is spotless, and consider adding subtle scents like vanilla or fresh linen.

9. Curb Appeal: First impressions matter. A neat exterior, a clean driveway, and an inviting entrance can significantly impact a potential buyer's perception of the property.

10. Less is More: Remember that simplicity is key when staging. A space with less furniture and decor can appear larger, cleaner, and more appealing.

Follow these ten golden rules of home staging to make your property more attractive and welcoming to potential buyers. Remember, staging aims to showcase your home in a way that helps buyers visualize it as their own. These tips allow you to stage your home for a quick and profitable sale.