Home Staging Tips for Selling Your House

With some unexpected curveballs in life, I’ve had the opportunity to live in (and sell) a variety of homes.  It’s tempting to think a home will sell itself, but I’ve learned that with a few key strategies, a well styled home can sell faster and for more money. From a vacation coastal cottage to a million dollar ranch property and an East coast townhome, I’ve styled a wide range of houses! It’s been quite a journey and learning experience. I’m excited to share my home staging tips for selling a house – successfully! 

While it’s true that the real estate market has proven to be in the seller’s favor in recent years, I think many sellers rest on that an leave easy money on the table. By styling a home strategically, it’s possible to garner top dollar offers.  Here are some of my favorite strategies for staging a home to sell:

1. Delete the extras

Ok, we all know that decluttering and cleaning a home is probably step one of home staging. I recommend taking it to the next level though. Remove anything (and I mean anything) that is unnecessary. This includes:

• Unnecessary Furniture – you know the extra chair or side table
• Knick Knacks – also known as clutter, you may love the turtle collection but it’s time to box it up
• Family Photos – for a couple reasons, it’s a good ideas to tuck those personal pictures away

2. Style for the Buyer

Styling for the home buyer means we are showcasing the house – how it functions and what makes it awesome. We are not showcasing our sunflower collection or commitment to farmhouse decor. I think it works best to keep things mostly neutral with natural elements. This lets the buyer see the potential and imagine themselves living there.

This is where we need to set aside our pride and remember we are trying to sell what is likely a huge investment. We are selling the house, not our way of living. 

3. Give Spaces a Function 

Often, when we live in a space, we adjust to what works for our unique family. We might use a nook as storage space or stuff a chair into a corner (which always gathers clothes).  Highlight how the house flows from one space to another. How awkward spaces might be used.

When staging a home though, we want to think of how that space would best function in general. For example, I took an unused bedroom corner and turned it into a small home office area to show how a space might be used. 

4. Make it Neutral

I think one of the best home staging tips is to keep colors and decor neutral.  This doesn’t mean boring or lacking personality but we’re toning down strong colors (which affect a variety of emotions!) and editing out statement decor. 

If your kids wanted a bright orange wall (like mine did!), now is the time to paint it in preparation to sell. It might feel kind of sad, but what are the chances someone else will love that shade of orange? Most likely, buyers will see it as an obstacle – something they’ll have to spend time and money on to fix. Check out my list of the Best Neutral Paint Colors for a great collection of options I’ve used again and again.

5. It’s Not Personal!

We’ve all heard we need to take down family photos before selling a home. There are many reasons to do so.  One, you’ll have people in your home and it’s wise to create some privacy and distance.

Also, from a selling perspective, you want buyers to picture THEMSELVES in your space, not the family that currently lives there. Simply keep the current frames and replace with abstract wrapping paper or grab some art prints online.

6. Remove Fake Decor

Please. I beg you. Do not let anyone put fake fruit or flowers out for home staging. People are buying a place to live, not a show room. And unless those fake plants are a next level illusion that look real, I say no to artificial plants as well. There are so many great alternatives!

7. Add Some Greenery

We got rid of the fake. Now add some life. I usually buy at least five new, little potted plants before staging a home for photos and selling. 

In addition to plants you can use fresh greenery (trader joes and most grocery stores sell fresh green stems). Dried stems also make a place feel livelier and last almost forever – a home staging tip that will get you through photos and showings.

Check out 9 Easy Houseplants You Can Find on Amazon and Ways to Add Greenery Without an Actual Plant.

8. Replace Light Bulbs

It’s in the details here right? Well, realtors like to photograph and show a home with the lights on. Keep this in mind and make sure all the lightbulbs match (it always sticks out if one is an old school random bulb and the rest are pretty edison bulbs). 

And while you’re at it make sure they are WARM WHITE. For the love, avoid daylight or cool bulbs – they cast a harsh bluish tone on everything. It feels like a hospital and that’s probably not the vibe you’re doing for.

9. Spend a Bit of Money

Spend a couple hundred if it earns you thousands. It is absolutely ok (and smart!) to invest a bit of money if it means you’ll likely get more and better offers. 

So you’ve got an outdated 1980’s maroon bathroom? No need to remodel the whole room, but buy that can of neutral white paint and knock it out in an afternoon. Ready to tackle a few small projects? Check out my Easy Home Updates Under $200 and Bathroom Mirror Updates for quick and simple custom options.

10. Clean and Clean Some More

While this nugget is probably the very first thing you do before selling a home, I’m saving it for the end because it’s not just the start of the process, it’s all the way through. You will be cleaning as you get ready to sell, before photos, in advance of the open house and then for private showings.

Ask for help, hire a housecleaner, block off time in your day – whatever needs to happen to get all the nooks and crannies clean. I mean, we can’t expect people to lay down good money for dusty fan blades and fur bunnies, can we?

11. Apply the Same Staging Tips to the Exterior

No list of home staging tips would be complete without mentioning the home exterior. I mean, this is your first impression, right? Take all these same tips and apply them outside too! Need some outdoor inspiration? Check out my Cozy Outdoor Living Space.