Successfully staging and decorating your home can make or break a sale. With more than a decade of real estate experience, Real Estate Relief founder Demetri Stakias weighs in on some home decorating and staging tips to set your property apart.
Design decisions have a deep impact on human psychology, and it's extremely important to set the scene in a way that optimizes the experience of someone touring your home. We must consider not only how something looks, but how it makes someone feel.
We must consider not only how something looks, but how it makes someone feel.
There is a number of things you can do to make your home successfully stand out and appeal to potential buyers. One such stratgey is effectively staging your home to maximize its potential. Humans are incredibly visual creatures, and it's essential to appeal to these senses.
Declutter and Depersonalize
First and foremost, eliminate clutter as much as possible. Cleanliness and simplicity are key in allowing a potential buyer to see the potential of the property. Depersonlize the space to the best of your ability by removing any personal items, such as family photos. This will help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space and make the home feel more spacious and welcoming.
Neutralize Colors
Just as excess clutter or personal items can interfere with a homebuyer's vision for their own unique future home, having a color palette that is too bold can have the same effect. While some buyers my love your style and color palette, you don't want to alienate other buyers from purchasing your proeprty. Neutral colors are a simple way to play it safe by creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere. The more of a blank slate you present, the easier it is for potential homebuyers to envision their own unique elements of color or quirky decor. If you have bold or bright colors or eclectic patterns, it's worth it to consider repainting or replacing these items with more neutral options.
Focus on Curb Appeal
First impressions matter when it comes to selling a home, so it's important to focus on curb appeal. This means making sure the exterior of your home looks clean and well-maintained, with a well-manicured lawn, clean windows, and fresh landscaping. Sometimes small details -- like ensuring a window has been cleaned or the porch has been swept, can truly make or break an experience. Does the home look welcoming from the outside? Does the exterior leave us wanting to know more about what's inside? Don't underestimate the value of a good book cover.
Does the exterior leave us wanting to know more about what's inside? Don't underestimate the value of a good book cover
Let in Natural Light
Natural light is one of the most important factors in creating an inviting and welcoming space. Make sure to open up curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. If your home doesn't get a lot of natural light, consider investing in some quality artificial lighting to brighten up the space. Avoid cold, office space lighting, and opt for warmer tones. If there are windows that don't have a great view (like looking out into an alleyway or a plain wall), consider a thin, semi-transparent curtain that will slightly blur out the outdoors without compromising on essential sunlight! It's the perfect trick to creating that light and airy feel to your home.
Add Greenery
Plants are the perfect neutral decor that breathes life into a space and creates a serene atmosphere. Consider adding a few potted plants throughout your home, or adding a vase of fresh flowers to your kitchen or living room. Fake plants are a great alternative (there are many great brands that create very realistic-looking faux-plants, and they are absolutely worth it if you don't have the ability to regularly look after real plants. Succulents and cacti are also an excellent low-maintence option, but it's important to consider child-safe and pet-safe plants if you know there is a possibility of potential buyers bringing them along. It's important to go beyond the surface and ensure those touring your property will have the most comfortable (and safe!) experience.
Create a Focal Point
Creating a focal point in each room can help draw the eye and make the space feel more inviting. While keeping your home more neutral in design is ideal, there are subtle ways to add a pop of color to tie the space together. This could be a piece of artwork, a unique piece of furniture, or a well-styled bookshelf. An artwork can be bold and unique while still fitting in with the neutral elements of the home. Abstract art or art that showcases more neutral subjects like nature or beach scenes are ideal. The art should not draw too much attention, but rather serve as a unifying element to tie everything else together.
Use Mirrors
Mirrors can be a great tool in home staging, as they can make a room feel larger and more open. Consider adding a few mirrors throughout your home, especially in smaller rooms or areas with limited natural light in order to make your home feels more spacious. Not only this, but a mirror quite literally allows someone to picture themselves in your home!
A mirror quite literally allows someone to picture themselves in your home!
Keep it Clean
Lastly, it's important to keep your home clean and well-maintained throughout the selling process. This means regularly cleaning and organizing your space, and making sure everything is in good working order.
Expert Tip: To really take things to the next level, find a way to infuse a natural, comforting scent into your home. While many scented candles or sprays can be overwhelming for those with sensitive noses, a great trick is setting a pot of oranges and thyme to simmer on the stove. Another alternative is baking a batch of fresh cookies ahead of your showings. Nothing says home like freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies (even if they are just store bought dough!)
Home staging and decorating can be a highly effective strategy for selling your home quickly and for a good price. By following these tips and creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere, you can make your home stand out to potential buyers and increase your chances of a successful sale.
If your home is in greater need of love and staging just won't cut it, it's important to consider your options and whether the repairs will be worth it. If you are seeking to sell and want to have all of the facts before you list your property (either as-is or with repairs). Speak with a member of the Real Estate Relief team today and get the straight answer you deserve to all of your real estate questions!
Our team at Real Estate Relief makes service and serving our community a priority. We're here to help and make this process easier for you. Call us today to speak with a Certified Real Estate Relief advisor today: (305) 4-RELIEF (305-473-5433). We look forward to learning more about you and your unique situation. We're here to help!