Step-by-Step Guide to Effective Home Staging

Say you’re a property buyer deciding on two newly built homes. One is completely bare and painted all-white, empty of any furniture. Meanwhile, the other is painted blue, appears fully furnished and has a cozy ambience as you visit. Which one would you lean more toward?

People will likely desire a space where they feel at ease, and home staging can provide that feeling. Learning this technique can help you get your property off the market as soon as possible and achieve the highest selling price possible. 

The Meaning of Home Staging

Home staging is preparing a home for the real estate marketplace. Sellers aim to make the space seem as appealing as possible to buyers by including all the elements that a furnished space would have. These additional features allow potential buyers to envision living at the property and add their personal touches to make it seem more like theirs.

Home staging is distinctive because it focuses on highlighting what a property already offers and creates a comfortable atmosphere with furniture, lighting and more. It is not meant to fix or hide any existing flaws, as that would affect the integrity of the property transaction. 

Staging is different from renovations. The latter process focuses on fixing and improving a space, while the former mostly involves elevating a household’s appearance. It is possible to perform both, but you can also just go with home staging instead, as it is slightly cheaper. 

How Much Does Home Staging Cost?

When you get a home staged professionally, it can cost about $2,000 or so. Home staging companies still have to perform the initial design consultation and execute it per room. It is possible to conduct it on your own, but you will likely have to pay fees for the materials and furniture rentals.

For reference, renovation is priced around $12,567 or more for a kitchen alone. Transforming the whole house would translate into a more costly investment. 

How Home Staging Impacts the Selling Price

One of the most appealing aspects of staging is the potential increase in the overall selling price. Its presentability creates a more impactful impression that justifies boosting the asking rate. You can offset the home staging costs with your extra earnings.

The extra preparation for a property’s appearance can also influence the bids you get from sellers. About 20% of staged homes saw a 1% to 5% increase in dollar value offered, but some had experienced changes of more than 20% as well. 

When Should You Stage Your Home?

Most people aim to stage the house right before opening it for viewing. However, it’s also recommended to commence these processes when you’re just about to put up an online listing. About 96% of home buyers use the Internet to check out properties in 2022. Photos can make a difference between whether or not they will take the next step of the home-buying process. 

The Home Staging Checklist

Having a step-by-step guide on how to stage your home is paramount. After all, first-time and seasoned sellers alike must be involved in the preparation of their property to ensure absolute presentability. Here are some helpful apartment staging tips

1. Clean and Declutter

Cleaning should be your first step in the home staging process. Tidiness tells buyers that you have taken great care of the property and allows them to focus on what the home offers instead of the clutter. Remove dirt, debris, and other forms of trash. If you own a pet, clear out any traces of their fur. 

2. Pay Attention to the Colors

Hues can make a space seem much more lively than it is. The best colors for a home staging are neutrals such as white, beige, brown and black since most people will either like or feel indifferent to these colors. Orange and yellow may be striking while blue and green can seem calming. However, they may not be everyone’s cup of tea. 

3. Care About Your Curb Appeal

A property’s exterior will be one of the first things people will notice when they attend a house viewing. Potential buyers will appreciate saving money and enhancing the property’s scenery with a lawn full of native plants and flowers. Apart from the yard, you can spruce up the deck and improve the walkway for a grand entrance. 

4. Pick Out New Decor

Use decorative interior design such as art and plants to give buyers the pleasure of imagining their own spin on the space. Excessive minimalism should also be avoided since it leaves spaces cold and unwelcoming to potential buyers. Remember to remove any personal items like pictures or valuable belongings if the home you’re staging has been lived in before.

5. Improve the Lighting

Improving a home’s appearance will be more impactful if everything is visible. Elevate the lighting by adding fixtures when necessary. Pulling back the curtains can also help you take advantage of the natural light the property gets. Frame these openings with beautiful curtains. You should also clean the windows for maximum impact.

6. Be Particular About Placement

Remember to be particular about the placement of your furniture. Make sure the lounge seats are spaced out from one another. That way, people can converse while getting breathing room. Visitors should be able to freely roam through the hallways and rooms without bumping into tables. You can use a rug to separate specific areas in an open living space plan.

7. Appeal to the Senses

Home staging is all about making the property likable, especially during the viewings. One way you can do this is by appealing to the senses. Your interior design covers sight, and you can also light candles to add an alluring fragrance to the home. Classical music is also lovely and appealing to the ears of your prospects.

Invest in Home Staging

Home staging can be an effective way to boost interest and offers for a household. While it takes extra time and preparation, the return on investment is more than worth it. Just remember to do it well for the best results.