Arranging furnishings and decor in a house so buyers can envision living there can be an important tool for home sellers. In fact, studies show that staged homes sell 88 percent faster and for 20 percent more money than those that aren’t staged. However, home staging can be taken too far. Home sellers sometimes clear out every family photo, pillow and doo-dad until their house appears quite sterile. Here, Realtor.com offers some ways to strike a warm yet aspirational balance, so that buyers feel that your house is the ideal place for them.
You still need to declutter
We all tend to collect a lot of stuff, and that stuff is going to distract people from seeing your home’s best features. So reduce, reduce, reduce. You likely will end up adding back a few things, but it’s easier to see what to keep if you’re starting with a nearly empty slate. When you see how amazing your decluttered home looks, you might want to do even more. So, be merciless in your editing before you start adding the details that will warm your space.
Keep only the right furniture
How do you know how much of your furniture to keep? A good principle to keep in mind is that you’re trying to highlight the best attributes of the space. So, rearrange furniture (and remove some pieces) to make a room look and feel as spacious as possible. You want enough furniture to make the room comfortable, but not so much that people miss architectural details and the feel of the space itself. If you are renting furniture to stage your home, don’t pick matching sets that can create a sterile atmosphere. Mix things up to inject some personality; there needs to be a sense of style.
Warm up your lighting
Changing the lighting can make a big difference; it’s also one of the simplest things you can do. You should particularly consider this if you have directional lighting—such as spotlights or track lighting—that can create shadowy corners. Instead, you want rooms to be evenly lit throughout. This is especially important in the front entryway and in kitchens. You’ll also want to avoid harsh, blueish LED light bulbs, and also use dimmers to make sure that the light casts a warm glow. Once you have your primary lighting set, you can add in a subtle glow with candles or a fireplace.
Don’t be afraid of color
All of the walls don’t necessarily have to be white, but you don’t want to hit prospective buyers with a kaleidoscope of different colors in every room. One accent wall of color in the right place can be effective.
Bring in the green
Another way to make a minimalist space feel warm and vibrant is to add plants and flowers in several areas if you can. They’re a touch of freshness that brightens the space. So, grab an arrangement, or opt for easy-to-care-for houseplants in attractive pots.
Now add some personal details
You don’t have to banish every last personal object from your home before you show it. Some family pictures are fine, just be sure that they’re the best ones and in the best frames. You also can have a few throw pillows and blankets out, because it shows that people live there and sit in those areas. Make sure they’re in good condition and in bright, harmonizing colors. And, if you have a dining area, set the table, and maybe add a centerpiece like a candlestick or fresh flowers. In bedrooms, keep a few well-edited personal items, such as a ring dish or a small stack of books. This also works in baths, which should have towels on racks and soap next to sinks.
Wall decoration
A fresh coat of paint throughout is almost always in order. But don’t leave those walls blank. Add well-framed art and photos to blank walls that need some visual interest. It might help to take everything down, select your most attractive pieces and then hang those in areas you want to highlight.