Staging your home to sell
Every home is different, and therefore staging advice will differ from property to property. However, there are some key starting points for every property!
DECLUTTER
We’re all guilty of accumulating STUFF. We often become emotionally attached to (or stop seeing!) little knick-knacks or souvenirs that we’ve collected and added to our shelves, coffee tables, bench tops, and bedside tables over the years. While these mementos are meaningful to us, they cloud a viewers’ eyes to the potential your property holds.
So grab a box and some bubble wrap and pack away any non-necessary trinkets for the viewing period.
CLEAN
Nothing will turn a buyer off your house faster than an unclean kitchen or bathroom. Deep clean these spaces before the marketing campaign starts, and ensure that they are kept clean in advance of any viewings. Cleanliness is important throughout the whole house, but CRUCIAL in the kitchen and bathroom(s).
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Ensure that all curtains are open to let in as much natural light as possible. If you have a corner that gets little natural light, try placing a floor lamp there and check it’s on before any viewings. Mirrors are also great at enhancing light and creating the illusion of a larger space.
FRESH AS A DAISY (OR A COFFEE POT!)
Particular smells can cheapen your property. Built up oil or fragrant cooking flavours, musty closed-up smells, poorly ventilated bedrooms, or wet-dog remnants can permeate throughout a home and be a huge turn off to buyers. Over the viewing period ensure that your house is well ventilated to help reduce any smells and invest in an air and/or material freshener. On open home days, do an extra round with the air freshener or if you’re really committed, pop a pot of coffee on before the open home. Fresh flowers can also help. Because our noses often become used to our environment, ask a friend (or us!) to give their honest opinion on whether there are any unsavoury scents floating around your home.
TIPS FOR SPECIFIC AREAS
In bathrooms: install your fluffiest towels and your fanciest soap in the bathroom prior to any viewings. Pop all toothbrushes and daily-use items under the sink or in a cupboard. You want to make your bathroom feel like as close to a luxurious spa as possible.
In kitchens: remove bulky appliances and leave bench-tops as bare as possible. You want to demonstrate space here, so clearing away is key. A colourful bowl of fruit or vase of flowers will add a vibrant touch.
In bedrooms: try to make double beds look as inviting as you can. Layer on the pillows, cushions, and throws to help turn the bedroom into a sanctuary. If you don’t have lots of pillow extras, just focus on having the bed well-made with a matching duvet set.
Outside: mow any lawn areas and clear away kids toys, projects, or outdoor equipment.
DECLUTTER
We’re all guilty of accumulating STUFF. We often become emotionally attached to (or stop seeing!) little knick-knacks or souvenirs that we’ve collected and added to our shelves, coffee tables, bench tops, and bedside tables over the years. While these mementos are meaningful to us, they cloud a viewers’ eyes to the potential your property holds.
So grab a box and some bubble wrap and pack away any non-necessary trinkets for the viewing period.
CLEAN
Nothing will turn a buyer off your house faster than an unclean kitchen or bathroom. Deep clean these spaces before the marketing campaign starts, and ensure that they are kept clean in advance of any viewings. Cleanliness is important throughout the whole house, but CRUCIAL in the kitchen and bathroom(s).
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Ensure that all curtains are open to let in as much natural light as possible. If you have a corner that gets little natural light, try placing a floor lamp there and check it’s on before any viewings. Mirrors are also great at enhancing light and creating the illusion of a larger space.
FRESH AS A DAISY (OR A COFFEE POT!)
Particular smells can cheapen your property. Built up oil or fragrant cooking flavours, musty closed-up smells, poorly ventilated bedrooms, or wet-dog remnants can permeate throughout a home and be a huge turn off to buyers. Over the viewing period ensure that your house is well ventilated to help reduce any smells and invest in an air and/or material freshener. On open home days, do an extra round with the air freshener or if you’re really committed, pop a pot of coffee on before the open home. Fresh flowers can also help. Because our noses often become used to our environment, ask a friend (or us!) to give their honest opinion on whether there are any unsavoury scents floating around your home.
TIPS FOR SPECIFIC AREAS
In bathrooms: install your fluffiest towels and your fanciest soap in the bathroom prior to any viewings. Pop all toothbrushes and daily-use items under the sink or in a cupboard. You want to make your bathroom feel like as close to a luxurious spa as possible.
In kitchens: remove bulky appliances and leave bench-tops as bare as possible. You want to demonstrate space here, so clearing away is key. A colourful bowl of fruit or vase of flowers will add a vibrant touch.
In bedrooms: try to make double beds look as inviting as you can. Layer on the pillows, cushions, and throws to help turn the bedroom into a sanctuary. If you don’t have lots of pillow extras, just focus on having the bed well-made with a matching duvet set.
Outside: mow any lawn areas and clear away kids toys, projects, or outdoor equipment.