As you prepare to sell your home, you’ve likely heard the standard pre-listing advice: deep clean and declutter, and consider which rooms need a fresh coat of paint. But in a market filled with hesitant buyers, you need to go a step further, especially if you want top dollar. This post provides specific advice on staging your home to sell. It’s about presenting your house in a way that’s warm and inviting, and helps buyers instantly imagine themselves living there. Read on to learn 15 real-world staging tips you can put into practice right away.
It’s tempting to keep every piece of furniture in the living room, but too much can make the space feel smaller. If you’ve got an extra recliner tucked in the corner or a second sofa or end table that blocks the natural flow of the room, move it out. Buyers want to walk in and see a space that feels open and inviting. By removing just one or two bulky pieces, you create better traffic flow and help the room feel bigger without lifting a hammer or knocking down a wall. Your fridge might be the family command center, but buyers don’t need to know your child’s spelling test score or your dentist appointment schedule. Clearing the surface of magnets, school art, and notes makes the whole kitchen look cleaner and less cluttered. Think of it this way: buyers want to see how much counter space and storage they’re getting, not how your family uses it. A bare fridge door keeps the focus on the kitchen itself, not on your personal life. Dusty silk flowers or plastic fruit bowls give off a dated or fake vibe. Instead, bring in something real and fresh. A bowl of bright lemons on the counter or a simple potted plant on the dining table adds a natural pop of color and makes the home feel alive. What’s more, greenery doesn’t have to be expensive or high-maintenance. A small snake plant, a bunch of eucalyptus from the grocery store, or even a vase of cut flowers before listing photos can all do the trick. These little touches can go a long way in helping buyers picture your house as a happy, healthy home. Lighting can completely change how your home feels. If one lamp has a soft yellow glow, another a bright white, and the hallway light a bluish tint, buyers will notice — and it can make the whole place feel pieced together. Go through your house and swap out old bulbs for matching warm-white ones. Not only will this give every room a consistent, inviting look, but it’s also one of the least expensive upgrades you can make before selling. Agents often turn on all the lights during showings and photos, so this detail matters more than you might think. You may love that cobalt blue wall or cherry-red kitchen, but most buyers won’t. Bright or unusual paint colors can distract from the actual space and leave buyers thinking about the project of repainting instead of picturing themselves living there. Stick with neutral paint shades like soft gray, beige, off-white, or cream. These tones make rooms look bigger, cleaner, and more versatile — and they appeal to the widest range of buyers. Repainting tends to be one of the highest-ROI improvements sellers can make. Your front entryway is a pivotal first impression zone. Buyers form opinions before they even step through the door. A clean doormat and a single planter by the entryway can do more than a dozen knick-knacks or lawn ornaments. Keep it simple: sweep the front steps, remove shoes or clutter, and add one fresh element like a seasonal plant. The goal is to make the entrance feel welcoming, not busy. That first glance sets the tone for the rest of the showing.1. Remove that extra chair and let the room breathe
2. Take magnets, photos, and kids’ art off the fridge
3. Swap fake fruit bowls for real lemons and greenery
4. Replace mismatched light bulbs with warm ones
5. Repaint bold rooms (yes, even your electric blue bathroom)
6. Stage the entryway with just a mat and a plant
