Everything You Need to Know About DIY Home Staging
There are times when a homeowner needs to sell when they are still living in the house. To present it the house in its best light, we collaborate to stage with owner belongings, fluff that I own, and some fresh arrangements. Today, guest writer, Natalie Jones from Homeowner Bliss gives some things to think about when getting your home ready for the world to see.
Properly staging a home can be the key to attracting a quick offer when it’s time to sell. Here’s how to DIY your home staging so you have an eye-catching property for listing photos, showings, and open house events if professional staging isn’t part of the plan.
Map a Plan
Any time you’re planning an important project, it helps to make a plan for how you will reach your goals. With that in mind, HomeAdvisor recommends making a list of preparations you need to accomplish. Think about what will come first, such as decluttering your home, a thorough cleaning, and pulling your personal decor. Many people find depersonalizing particularly challenging, but it’s a crucial component in proper staging. If everything reminds buyers that the place belongs to someone else, they can have trouble envisioning the home as their own.
As you contemplate what will be involved, consider getting input from myself, your neighborhood expert. I have experience with what’s working in the community — and what isn’t — and can provide helpful insights that might surprise you. What’s more, I am there to help you but am not emotionally attached to your home or belongings, I can see which items will detract from your presentation and which items will enhance the experience for house hunters.
Neutralize Your Decor
As you declutter and depersonalize your home, the Nest explains that one of the things all real estate and home design professionals recommend is neutral decor. This refers not only to your color scheme but also your style. Think in terms of the sort of choices hotels make for guests to feel comfortable in the space. There shouldn’t be anything overly expressive, like political or religious themes, gender-oriented decor, sports memorabilia, family photos, and so forth.
While contemplating neutral colors, if your walls are in need of a refresher, note that smaller rooms often benefit from lighter colors since it can open up the space. Let go of bold colors and dramatic accent walls and aim for an easy-to-work-with palette.
Hidden Spaces Matter
Pay special attention to your home’s storage areas, and avoid filling them with your excess belongings. House hunters will look in the closets, pantry, and cupboards, and if those spaces are crammed full, it will seem like the house lacks sufficient space. Instead, leave enough basics to suggest the use of the space, and then pull the rest. Make sure you organize what remains in a manner that is attractive and allows house hunters to see how their things will fit.
Open and Welcoming
Crowded and cramped spaces will hurt your home’s presentation, so as you declutter your way through the house, think about boosting the house’s overall spaciousness. Consider pulling unnecessary furniture and other belongings throughout your home. Choose at least one piece of furniture to be the focal point in each room, since it tells buyers how they can use the space. As the Spruce explains, when you arrange your furniture, you should avoid pushing everything against the walls, as that can make the room feel small and awkward. Leave natural traffic patterns open as well, so buyers can move comfortably from room to room.
Light and Bright
Removing excess objects, changing color schemes, and rearranging furniture can help make a space feel bigger, but there is one more aspect to consider: lighting. Properly lighting a house can make a world of difference in how someone perceives the space, changing the mood and atmosphere dramatically. A small, dim room can be instantly transformed with opened curtains and added fixtures, and layering can boost functionality and ambiance.
You don’t need to invest big bucks on a professional home stager. Instead, consider getting a realtor’s opinion, map a plan, then jump in! Do a thorough decluttering, remove excess and overly personal belongings, arrange furniture thoughtfully, and brighten your rooms. Thanks to your smart presentation, you’ll have the house sold in no time.