Home Staging

Home Staging – what is it and what is its purpose?

Home staging is the process of adding furniture and décor to your home in a way that its best features are highlighted and potential buyers can see what’s possible in the space.

Professional home staging is all about improving the overall aesthetics of the home. This is usually done by swapping out existing furniture and personal belongings for more appealing homewares, art and décor. Whilst expert home stylists are a great option and give fantastic results, there are a few staging and styling tips you can implement yourself to showcase your property in the best light.

Clean!
Ensuring your home is sparkling clean and clear of clutter is an important first step. Clean surfaces, floors, walls and windows will set the scene and show that your home has been looked after. As well as cleaning, try making minor repairs. This can make a huge difference in your home's appearance.

Create a homey space
Furniture creates a visual picture for potential buyers. You want people to envision themselves living there and feel at home. The use of cushions, rugs and throws can make a space feel cosy, and home accessories can add personality and colour into your home. Remember, try keeping these pieces neutral and minimal. The phrase ‘less is more’ is very true when it comes to staging your home, this way buyers can still easily see what they can do with the space.

Consider furniture layout
You want each space to flow, so the layout of your furniture is important – it can show buyers the purpose of each room. Only use furniture that is needed – big, heavy pieces will overcrowd the room and make it hard for buyers to picture the space. You also want there to be as much open space as possible so the home feels larger and lighter. Try grouping your furniture according to each space. For example, living room furniture (sofa, coffee table, armchair) should be together, creating a cosy family area.

Accessorise with plants
Bring some life and freshness into your home with a few healthy, well-placed plants. Space them around your home so as not to clutter the one area, and have bold greenery or flowers in a popular area, such as the kitchen. If real plants don’t appeal to you, fake plants give the same fresh aesthetic look without the upkeep.

Scents
Create an inviting home to welcome potential buyers into. Scents can trigger positive emotions and feelings – candles and diffusers are a great place to start and can really set the mood at inspections and open homes. You can also consider having your carpets professionally cleaned to rid any lingering odours (such as pet odour).

Flaunt what you’ve got
Boost the appeal of your home and really focus on those spaces that stand out. If you have heaps of storage space, then show it off! If you have incredible architectural details (architraves, windows) then draw attention to those features. You want your property to stand out from the rest, so make sure you present these spaces and features well.

Photo Credit: Pinterest.