7 Home Staging Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Staging is all about showcasing the best qualities your home has to offer to make it look more attractive to potential buyers. It’s a process that needs to be done thoughtfully to give your home that magnetic appeal and “wow” factor buyers are looking for. Here are seven things you should avoid when you are staging your home.

1. Keeping It Personal

While trinkets and family photos make the home feel cozy and livable, using personal items for staging is never a good idea. Potential buyers should be able to envision the home as theirs, so it’s best to stick with neutral, simple staging props.

2. Cutting Corners When Cleaning

If you think the buyer won’t notice the fingerprints on the windows or the odd smell coming from the kitchen sink, you’re dead wrong. Before a potential buyer sets foot in your home, you need to clean every room thoroughly and eliminate any weird smells that could cause a buyer to turn their nose up.

3. Packing Up the Welcome Mat

Your front door is the place where you can make a great first impression on buyers. A stylish welcome mat, pretty plants, and a seasonal wreath on the door will boost your home’s curb appeal and get buyers excited about coming in to see the rest of the house.

4. Not Including Flowers and Plants

Placing a few vases of fresh flowers or live potted plants throughout the home can make a huge impact. Plants and flowers bring color and life to the home, making it feel more vibrant and modern. Even placing a bowl of colorful, fresh fruit on the counter can improve the look of your kitchen. When you are staging your home, don’t forget to incorporate natural elements.

5. Turning Off the Lights

Lighting is one of the most important elements of staging. If your home is dark or poorly lit, it’s going to be a lot harder to sell than a home that is bright and airy. You can add lamps or have overhead lighting installed to brighten up each room. Open the curtains and let in some natural light to make the space feel more inviting.

6. Overdoing It

Having too much decor can deter buyers and make your home feel cluttered. When it comes to staging, less is more. Pick one area of each room you want to highlight and focus your staging efforts there. For example, if you are showcasing the fireplace, you don’t need a ton of pillows on the couch and artwork on every wall.

7. Trying to DIY-It

The biggest mistake you can make when selling your home is not hiring a professional to stage it. Professionals know the science and psychology behind staging, so they are able to set up your home in a way that makes it appealing to potential buyers. Selling your home is stressful enough. Let a professional handle the staging so you can save time and get your home sold as soon as possible.