Home Staging Ideas

Detach Yourself From Your Property

These are just a few of the personal items you should consider packing away during the selling process. People want to be able to easily imagine the home as their own. The seller’s personal items are best taken down to make this possible. Some ideas:

Pack up family photos
Consider putting away memorabilia
Turn heavily-themed rooms into neutral spaces
Hide all personal keepsakes
Clean out closets
- Buyers are usually looking for tons of storage space. If you leave closets half full, you’ll give the impression of there being more storage space throughout the property.

Focus Up Front

Make the foyer welcoming and open
Hide utility items like key-holders, coat racks and shoes
Spend a little on adding a small bench or vase of flowers
Consider repainting walls close to the entryway – if needed

Think About Your Buyers

Are you buyers looking to move into the school district? Have a flyer available describing all the information regarding the local school. Don’t worry, we have that covered.
Walk Score: You can make a list of all the restaurants, attractions, and coffee shops within walking distance to the property.
decorate for the potential buyer: What are some current trends?
Upgrade the kitchen first: Buyers are looking for kitchens that are large and spacious. The benefits of remodelling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you’ll probably get 85% – 100 % of your money back.

Cleaning and Arranging

Hire a professional cleaning staff to go through the entire property before the first showing.
Try to pack up each room by 30%. This will create a bigger feeling in every room in the house.
Consider rearranging furniture to promote a better flow throughout the house.
If you need, consider renting a storage locker to promote extra room in the house and to hide unwanted furniture.

Neat Tips

Use neutral colours on the walls, but bring colour to your property with furniture and decorations. You don’t want the property to be too loud or too weak.
Be sure to clean the carpets and replace any pieces that are permanently damaged.
If you are considering replacing the carpets, opt for a very thick pad and buy a moderately priced carpet.The pad will make the carpet feel much more luxurious.
How are your hardwood or laminate floors looking? Consider refinishing the wood flooring or perhaps installing laminate.
Remove all non-daily linens, sheets, and accessories from closets. By moving them ahead of time, you increase the appearance of the storage space and increase the value of your property.
Remove all seasonal clothes from the closets for the same reason.
Ensure all window treatments (Blinds, shades, and coverings) are fashionable and work properly. These are frugal fixes that can increase the value of the home.
Brighter bulbs give a better appearance! We’re for using energy-efficient bulbs but this is not the time for that. You want to fill the house with at least 60-100 watt bulbs to make it look brighter and bigger.
Replace all burnt out light bulbs. Check all light switches.
Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans – check those edges.
Remove items from the kitchen counters such as coffee makers, toasters, microwaves, etc. These items take up space and crowd the view.
Make sure features like the eat-in kitchen have chairs in place to show off all the potential of the new home.
Condense your dining room table as much as possible. This will make the room look bigger and more spacious.
Set the dinner table and other tables/bars in the house. This helps buyers easily imagine living at the property.
Consider painting cabinets if they show wear and tear. If you have lots of wood, try some wood oil to make them look alive.
Kitchen cabinets will be opened and examined. Be sure to organize them and make it as appealing as possible.

Odours and Smells (Important!)

You’ll want to watch what you cook! Showings can happen at any time. Keep the fish and strong spices at a minimum. They can be a turn-off.
Pet odours are hard to hide. Try using baking soda and other pet cleaning devices to remove any odd smells from furniture and carpeting. Does your cat love a certain blanket… maybe it’s time for a new one.
Get rid of kitchen odours by pouring hot salt water down the drain twice a week. Also, grind some lemon rind into the disposal.
A new shower curtain is always a great, small investment especially if the old one is smelly.
Fresh flowers, pretty soaps, candles and other odour devices are also a great investment. Not too much though, odour sensitive people can find this a turn off and will be running for the door.
Finally, tackle garage and garbage smells! You don’t want these to turn off potential buyers. Check the floor for oil leaks and clean them up.
Get that recycling to the drop off if it’s beginning to pile up. Beer bottle too!