Staging a House to Sell
Room by Room

Want to sell your house fast? Get ideas for staging a house to sell, room by room. Learn what to choose and what to avoid, to give a good impression to potential buyers - not put them off...

OK... so you want to sell your house quick, and have decided that you're going to have a go at preparing a house to sell yourself....

It will mean some hard work, and most likely some financial outlay, but it is do-able, within a sensible timescale and budget...

Remember, it is an investment in your house sale - you will get your money back when your house sells, and should be able to take many of your new purchases with you...

Take a look at some Home Staging sell your house tips...

...and some Top Turn Offs to Avoid when preparing a house to sell

Home Staging Tips

Here are some tips and ideas for staging a house to sell...

What to Look Out for in Your Home

Flooring

• Clean carpets with a steam cleaner...
• ...or rip out and:
  • fit new - cream carpets bring a feeling of light and space into your home
  • sand original floorboards
  • fit laminate flooring - which has a modern and clean effect

Clutter

• Declutter and clean every room carefully
• Take out very personal items and belongings...
• But keep attractive accents and accessories for a welcoming and homely feel

Colors

• Keep it pale and neutral - creams, stones and taupes are all good choices
• You could also try warm and welcoming pale yellows, which always give a cheery feel when staging a house to sell

Furniture

• Keep it small, modern and simple.
• You can update your look by sanding wood furniture, painting white or cream, and then adding antiquing wax for a homely feel.
• Re-cover old furniture, or buy new.

Staging a House to Sell Room by Room

Entrance Way
Kitchen
Lounge/Living Room
Dining Room
Bathroom
Bedrooms
Outside



Staging a House to Sell - Entrance Way

• First impressions really count, so pay every attention to your front door and entrance hall.
• Is access to your front door clear?
• Is the door newly painted or cleaned?
• Can you fit new door handles? - On the front door, and throughout your home.
• Attractive planting on the approach
• Your hallway should be:
  • clear of clutter
  • light and welcoming - a large mirror could help with this
  • lemon or cream walls are a good choice
  • a mirror or umbrella stand are good accessories, if you have space
• Does your hall and stair carpet need cleaning or replacing? If replacing, choose stone or cream colors

Staging a House to Sell - Kitchen

• The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house - it is often thought of as the heart of the home.
• Buyers are particularly interested in how your kitchen looks, as it as perceived as being one of the most expensive rooms in the house to sort out if it is out-dated or wrong.
• It needn't be costly to fix up, though, when you are preparing a house for sale...
• Clear, clean and de-clutter!









• Old or dated cabinets can be painted (choose cream!), or new doors and/or handles fitted, for an updated look.
• Re-tile over old tiles, paint tiles with a quality tile paint, or clean up and re-grout (or use a grout pen!)
• If you have the space, somewhere to eat in the kitchen is a real bonus:
  • Do you have space (sensibly) for a small table and chairs?
  • Or even just a breakfast bar?
• Clean up, or fit, clean, pale flooring.
• Dress your table with matching place settings.
• Add attractive plants, and a few color co-ordinated accessories.

Staging a House to Sell - Lounge/Living Room

• This is the main 'public' room of your home. It is the room where buyers will envisage spending much of their time, and inviting their friends back, so you should aim for a warm, comfortable and relaxing feel.
• To make your living room feel welcoming:
  • Clean or replace carpets
  • If you have a period fireplace, or other original feature, draw attention to these attractive features.
  • A fireplace is a good focal point for a lounge or living room. Clean yours up, or restore:
    • Whitewash dark bricks for a nice, pale feel
    • If you don't have a feature fireplace, a simple shelf over your fire can help to create the right impression.
  • A mirror over the fireplace adds light and space.
  • Put up some artwork (striking but non-controversial - you don't want to offend potential purchasers!) - you can make your own to match with your color scheme with canvasses, and stripes of matching paint, or simple fabric stretched over wooden frames.
  • Is your sofa too big for your room? A clean , pale sofa of appropriate size and modern style is essential - if necessary, clean yours, re-cover or buy a new one (yours can be put into storage until you move)
  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  • Attractive color co-ordinated throws and cushions can help you make the most of what you've got, and make your room look comfortable and welcoming.
  • Radiator covers can hide unattractive radiators
  • Check your lighting isn't letting the room down.
  • Buy or sew modern, new cushions or curtains - no old-fashioned grey nets please!
  • Fresh flowers to match your decor are a nice finishing touch!

Staging a House to Sell - Dining Room

• The dining room, or dining area in a combined living-dining room, can be tricky to get right when staging a house to sell!
• Quite often we rarely use our separate dining room in everyday life, and it can easily become a forgotten space, or worse.... a dumping ground.
• The buyer needs to see the function of the room as a dining area, so it should be clearly defined as such.
• Set a table in the center of the room, as the focal point.
• Stick to a pale, neutral color scheme.
• Dress the table with your best (color co-ordinated!) glasses, plates and dishes - so that the buyer can imagine the fun, warming and happy dinners that they could enjoy here.
• Don't forget some color co-ordinated fresh flowers.

Staging a House to Sell - Bathroom

• Like the kitchen, the bathroom can be an important area - it can look like an expensive and time-consuming room to put right if there are any problems.
• Cleanliness and hygiene are of utmost importance in a bathroom!
• If your budget allows, replace old-fashioned, colored bathroom suites with white. If not, lessen the effect with neutral tiles and modern bath panels.
• New, cleaned or well painted tiles can make your bathroom seem more attractive - or just clean and replace grout.
• Get rid of bathroom carpets and fluffy toilet set covers - they never seem clean and hygienic to buyers!
• Check regularly for nasty smells - and keep scrupulously clean!

Staging a House to Sell - Bedrooms

• Pay particular attention to the master bedroom - it must create a relaxing, restful and comfortable air, where your buyer can imagine themselves relaxing in their own private sanctuary.
• No stale smells - open windows for fresh air and use scented candles for sweet fragrances.
• Make the bed a focal point with a large (color co-ordinated) headboard, and fresh, new bedding. You can make the headboard yourself, with a board, foam and some nice fabric.
• If you don't have smart, modern wardrobes, fit some! Modern, fitted wardrobes are popular - and it is very important for buyers to see there is plenty of storage for their things in the bedroom.
• If you have an ensuite bathroom, it should color co-ordinate with your master bedroom.
• Don't forget your spare bedroom or guest bedroom - make sure buyers have a clear idea of how this can be used:
  • If it is a double bedroom, fit a double bed.
  • If it can be/is usually used as a home office, then fit it out like that.
• No matter what may usually get dumped in the spare room, this is not the place for your clutter when staging your house to sell! Throw out, give to charity, or put into storage until you move!
• Children's and teenagers bedrooms may normally be a bit of a mess - try to have a throrough clear out if possible (try to involve your child in this)....

  If your home is big enough to have childrens' rooms it is likely your buyers may also have (or be planning on having) children. They won't expect unrealistic miracles in kids' bedrooms but you should attempt to see that the bedroom(s) are kept tidy, clean and fresh-smelling whilst you are showing your home.

Staging a House to Sell - Outside

• Don't neglect the outside of your property when staging a house to sell. A garden is a massive selling point for any home, so don't undersell yours!
• Make sure your front outside space is neat, clean, attractive and welcoming - think kerb appeal and first impressions - make buyers want to see what's inside.
• If you have a back garden or other outside space, spend a little time and money making it look tidy, attractive and welcoming:
  • Prune overgrown plants
  • Remove dead plants
  • Cut grass and neaten edges
  • Tidy up or create new paths
  • Create at least one seating area in your garden - and make sure buyers notice it by adding attractive tables and seating (these can be taken with you!)
• If weather permits, you can even tastefully dress your table with place settings, parasols and seat cushions - keep it color co-ordinated, and particularly consider how the color matches when viewed from inside the house.
• Invest in a few colorful flowers that are blooming right now - to add a bit of interest and make your garden feel pretty, colorful and welcoming...

  Buy new plants if necessary - again color co-ordinate with your house nad other garden accessories

When you have finished staging a house to sell, walk through it all again, looking at it all with fresh, buyer's eyes...

Checklist for preparing a house to sell fast

• Is it a neutral (or non-offensive) color scheme?
• Is it color co-ordinated (as to accent color)?
• Is it clutter free?
• Is it clean?
• Are repairs all finished neatly?
• Does it look welcoming, attractive and homely?
• Does each room have a purpose?
• Is there enough storage?
• Are you creating a desirable lifestyle?

Hopefully, after all that effort, following these tips for staging a house to sell fast, will bring you plenty of keen and interested buyers, who will want to snap up your lovely home for a great price...

Which means you will soon be moving out and moving on!

Look at more home staging sell your house tips

Check out the top turn offs to avoid when preparing a house to sell

After all that time, money and attention in staging your house to sell, don't forget to get your marketing right to sell your house fast

Get your informative e-book on sprucing up your home to sell for just $1 - easy, instant download - click here for more information

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