Staging your home for sale

Updated July 23rd, 2023

Moving house can be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life.

Getting a quick sale can help reduce those stress levels and ‘staging’ can help ensure you sell your home quickly.

Staging is the process of showing your home to its best potential and ensuring it attracts the most viewings and serious buyers.

Staging can at first be a daunting process.  It involves decluttering and de-personalising your home.

Your aim is to show potential buyers the possibilities that your house can give.  What was once your home now needs to be a blank canvas for people to envisage what living there may be like.

Below are a few points to remember and help you get a quick sale.

Clean- probably the most obvious but a good clean is the most important thing you can do.  It ensures everything is sparkling and smells great.

Depersonalize- Remove lots of photographs and personal trinkets.  Go back to minimal items on sideboards and units to avoid a messy and busy look.

Kerb appeal- ensure the front of the property is tidy and neat.  The front of the house is the first part potential buyers will see.  A messy front lawn or broken door can be off-putting.  Similarly ensure the back garden is a space where buyers feel they can entertain and enjoy the space.  Broken chairs and old plant pots should be removed.

Declutter- Clutter takes up space and when selling a house space is a precious commodity!  Get rid of anything that will not service a purpose in your new home. Dispose of it now- including clothing, newspapers and broken furniture.

Clear a path- ensure there are no obstacles in the way during viewings.  I.e toys on the floor, furniture that gets in the way or anything that could stop the flow of movement to those viewing the house.

Door number- make sure you have your house number clearly displayed.  People want to be able to find you easily.

Decorating- if you have the time and money you can decorate with neutral colours to appeal to the largest audience.  However this is not always possible so this can also be improved with neutral throws and cushions.

Define rooms- we all can be guilty of using the dining room table as a temporary ironing board but it should be presented ready to enjoy a meal, bathrooms should be for bathing and not dumping washing and bedrooms need to look inviting and comfortable.  Make sure each room is fit for purpose.

Plants- get rid of dead and dying plants.  Freshen up the home with new plants as it can give a real homely feel.

Smell- place diffusers around the home and light scented candles before people come to view the house.  The smell of a home can be very inviting or off-putting.  Ensure pet bedding is clean and tidy to ensure no one is put off by animal smells.

To anyone stepping over the threshold of your home you are selling a dream…a dream where they can envisage living there and consider buying your property.

By taking a little time and effort to stage the home it really can be the difference between a quick sale and if you don’t have the time contact someone like me, who can do it all for you!