HOME STAGING TIPS
By Christine Cowles, Styled & Staged Santa Barbara
Living in a home and selling a home are very different. When living in a home, owners fill a house – rightfully so – with family photos and heirloom treasures. However, selling a home is like selling any other product; it should look like it belongs on a magazine cover!
When you’re thinking about selling your home, you have to think like a marketing department and remove many of your personal items from the space. Here are the most cost-effective ways to prepare a home to look its best:
1. Start with curb appeal. This is literally the first impression that potential buyers will form about your home, so make sure the yard or exterior area is tidy and inviting. Fresh mulch, potted lavender and bright-colored flowers can go a long way in welcoming buyers.
2. Hang a mirror in the entry. It looks beautiful, neutral, and reflects light into the space, but more importantly, buyers’ first and last impression will be to literally ‘see’ themselves in this home.
3. Let the sunshine in. Swap out heavy, dark, or dated window coverings with neutral, light-colored, sheer panels that let more light in; rooms will feel larger and more appealing.
4. Scent matters. Eliminate any odors of mildew, mold, smoke, or anything funky! Fabric/upholstery holds odors, so consider replacing carpet.
5. Paint it white. Buyers want light and bright, and a fresh coat of paint will go a long way in helping buyers overlook areas of the house that may need updating. Using a single color throughout the home interior will create a flow that expands the perceived size.
6. Make your bed a sanctuary. By using crisp white linens and plump bedding with plenty of pillows buyers feel like they’re in a luxurious hotel. We typically use at least 10 pillows for a king bed and 8 for a queen bed.
7. Use matching nightstands, lamps, and pillows in bedrooms. This creates symmetry and a feeling of peace, balance, and harmony.
8. Distract from any perceived negatives. Let’s face it: every home has some features that are less than optimal. Draw the eye toward something more appealing, like a tall indoor plant in a large pot or beautiful piece of artwork on the wall.
9. Hide cleaning products, your stack of bills, and scales. We want buyers to walk into a potential home and feel like their lives will be perfect if they buy this home. Cleaning, paying bills or watching your weight don’t exist in this home!