DIY Home Staging Tips

Gray Teal Lime Blue Living Room by emily @ go haus go (CC BY 2.0)

DIY home staging cleaning
Gray Teal Lime Blue Living Room by emily @ go haus go (CC BY 2.0)

You dress up for job interviews, so why not dress your home up for an open house? Home staging is the preparation your home needs to show off its potential. No need to panic, home staging doesn’t mean you need to invest a lot of money into remodeling your home. According to Co-founder of NorthStar Moving and moving expert, Laura McHolm, DIY home staging just takes a little time and energy. So grab the duster and a moving box and let’s put some of these easy home staging tips to work.

home staging gives you more counter space
The Kitchen: Chapter Five by emily @ go haus go (CC BY 2.0)

Remember It’s not personal, It’s business.

All of those personal touches that make your house feel like home have to go. Potential buyers want to make their own memories in their new home. McHolm likens home staging to making your home feel like a five star hotel, glamourous but anonymous.  Remove your family pictures, children’s toys and piles of unorganized mail. Clear off counters in the kitchen and bathroom. By putting all of your toiletries and appliances out of sight will show off all space you have to work with.

Less is more when you’re Home Staging

More closet space
DSC_7442.JPG by deweller (CC BY 2.0)

Don’t wait for the house to sell to start packing up. Go through your drawers, closets, cabinets, and pantry and remember less is more. When home staging only the emptier your storage areas look the bigger they will feel. Donate or throw out anything you won’t be using at your new place. Try to limit the quantity of items on your surfaces down to three things. Think about renting a storage space during home staging and put away these unused items till you move into your new home. Leaving your garage, backyard, closets free to seduce potential buyers with all that extra space.

Deep Clean

Shine your floors
P1018138 by certified su (CC BY 2.0)

Years of living show on every home even when it’s clean. That’s why you have to go deeper. Home staging clean means more than just dusting, it’s shining the floors, cleaning the carpets, a fresh coat of paint and cleaning the windows. Laura McHolm suggests cleaning as if your mother-in-law was coming over. Don’t forget to apply this home staging tip to the front and back yards as well.

Picture perfect Home Staging

McHolm suggests take a picture of each room once you feel like your home is starting to feel like new. Review your pictures and make any changes that are needed. It is important that your home photographs well, since realtors will likely be taking photos for listings. Add fresh flowers to the entrance table and a scented candle in the bathroom for a luxury hotel like feel.  These small home staging touches can make a difference and leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.

If the selling and moving stress is making you feel like you need a little help why not try a home staging pro.