If you are thinking about selling your home due to the current real estate market, you are not alone. You're also not alone if you're wondering how - of if - you should stage your home before listing it. Some people think that their home doesn't need to be staged. After all, won't the people moving in have a specific ides of what they want the house to look like? How big of a difference can staging really make in the sale of a home? John Elliott Interiors is the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have the answers for you! Keep reading to learn about the big impact that staging can have, and some tips for staging that will bring you the biggest return!
The Difference Staging Makes
According to a professional stager, Betsy Wilbur, interviewed by Forbes: "A staged home will sell for 17% more on average than a non-staged home, and 95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less. That is statistically 87% faster than non-staged homes."
When you professionally stage a home, you are showing the potential buyers the true value of the house and giving them an idea of what life could be like. It's all about demonstrating potential and getting a greater return for you! In fact, some say that you could get back four times what you invested if you choose the right places to upgrade/stage.
So... Where should you start?
Mass Appeal
Any time you are staging a home, you need to think about how most people will use each space. For example, don't turn the spare bedroom into a fully-furnished weight room. It will likely appeal to more people if it is designed as a guest bedroom or a home office space (especially post-2020).
When choosing colors, think in terms of what will work as a great backdrop to several different style choices. Neutral and airy colors are excellent picks to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Red may be your favorite color, but a soft grey could be a better choice so your potential buyer doesn't have to try and overcome any overpowering colors to envision what they want.
As you decide where to place your furniture, think about the flow of the space and make sure it’s easy to walk from room to room. You can also group pieces together for a more cohesive space. Rather than backing everything up to the wall, “float” the furniture at least a few inches away from the walls. This gives the space a more polished look and can actually make the space feel bigger.
Decorations in each space should be simple and appealing to a broad audience as well. Fresh flowers are always a great choice as they brighten up a room and make the space feel welcoming. Replace family photos with framed art to draw your buyer’s eye around the room. (We have excellent curated artwork at John Elliott Interiors, by the way!) If arranging items on a coffee or end table, keep in mind that items in threes are most appealing to the eye.
You don’t need to remodel your entire house to make a big impact.
If your wood floors look scratched and dull, get a quote on what it would take to refinish them. This will give your rooms a wow factor – buyers love to see clean, pristine flooring. If you can’t refinish the floors, use rugs in strategic places to cover the most worn areas in your home. Buyers’ eyes will be drawn to the design and other aspects of the room instead of the flaws in the floor.
In your kitchens and bathrooms, you can switch out the cabinet handles for a cost-effective update. New, shiny hardware is striking and can enhance the look of the whole room.
Buyers love storage! Walk through your house and make sure there are several locations where new homeowners would be able to store their belongings. Each room should have at least one place for storage. For bedrooms, this is typically a dresser. For bathrooms, make sure there is shelving for various toiletries, towels, etc. that buyers will undoubtedly need to store in that space.
Another way to make a big impact without spending a lot of cash is to update the front door. Everyone loves a beautiful entryway, and a great door is the most important element. Replace your old one with a sturdy, eye-catching door. If you have an old wooden door that's still in good shape, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint or stain to make it stand out and look new.
Most importantly, make sure your home is clean. A clean home will feel fresh and inviting. Dusting, vacuuming, and sweeping are all important, but they are not the only things you should do...
Outdoor space is something that often gets neglected by sellers. Make sure your lawn is well manicured – use the mower and the weed eater. Check all flower beds and gardens to make sure they aren’t overgrown with weeds. An out-of-control garden will look less like a perk and more like a burdensome project to potential buyers.
If possible, use a power washer on your driveway and the siding of your house. Dirt and grime accumulate on siding and make houses look dingy. You wouldn’t believe what a big difference a clean slate will make!
Before you show the house, always do a smell test. You may not be able to recognize a smell you’re used to, so pay attention next time you walk in from outside. If an unpleasant or stale odor hits your prospective home buyers as soon as they walk in the door, they likely won’t have a good impression. If there is a problem, air out the house with open windows and fans, and use light air fresheners with natural scents (NOT heavy room sprays).
As much as you might want to show off your personal style and taste, it's important to remember that staging a home is not about you. When it's time to sell your house, you should start to think of it like a product rather than your own beloved home. Present it in a way that appeals to lots of buyers, makes sense in how someone will use the space, and is clean and polished for a great first impression. If you need great staging pieces - or even new furniture for the home you're moving to - be sure to visit John Elliott Interiors! Our high-end home store in Lake Ozark has the best fine art, home décor, and beautiful furniture to make any house look outstanding!
As you decide where to place your furniture, think about the flow of the space and make sure it’s easy to walk from room to room. You can also group pieces together for a more cohesive space. Rather than backing everything up to the wall, “float” the furniture at least a few inches away from the walls. This gives the space a more polished look and can actually make the space feel bigger.
Decorations in each space should be simple and appealing to a broad audience as well. Fresh flowers are always a great choice as they brighten up a room and make the space feel welcoming. Replace family photos with framed art to draw your buyer’s eye around the room. (We have excellent curated artwork at John Elliott Interiors, by the way!) If arranging items on a coffee or end table, keep in mind that items in threes are most appealing to the eye.
Little Updates - BIG Impact
You don’t need to remodel your entire house to make a big impact.
If your wood floors look scratched and dull, get a quote on what it would take to refinish them. This will give your rooms a wow factor – buyers love to see clean, pristine flooring. If you can’t refinish the floors, use rugs in strategic places to cover the most worn areas in your home. Buyers’ eyes will be drawn to the design and other aspects of the room instead of the flaws in the floor.
In your kitchens and bathrooms, you can switch out the cabinet handles for a cost-effective update. New, shiny hardware is striking and can enhance the look of the whole room.
Buyers love storage! Walk through your house and make sure there are several locations where new homeowners would be able to store their belongings. Each room should have at least one place for storage. For bedrooms, this is typically a dresser. For bathrooms, make sure there is shelving for various toiletries, towels, etc. that buyers will undoubtedly need to store in that space.
Another way to make a big impact without spending a lot of cash is to update the front door. Everyone loves a beautiful entryway, and a great door is the most important element. Replace your old one with a sturdy, eye-catching door. If you have an old wooden door that's still in good shape, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint or stain to make it stand out and look new.
MUST Be Clean!
Most importantly, make sure your home is clean. A clean home will feel fresh and inviting. Dusting, vacuuming, and sweeping are all important, but they are not the only things you should do...
Windows make a big impact on a buyer. If your windows are smudged with dog nose prints and cluttered with cobwebs, a buyer may be turned off as soon as they walk through the door. (Or even as soon as they start walking up to the house!) Bright, shining windows make your house feel fresh and open.
Outdoor space is something that often gets neglected by sellers. Make sure your lawn is well manicured – use the mower and the weed eater. Check all flower beds and gardens to make sure they aren’t overgrown with weeds. An out-of-control garden will look less like a perk and more like a burdensome project to potential buyers.
If possible, use a power washer on your driveway and the siding of your house. Dirt and grime accumulate on siding and make houses look dingy. You wouldn’t believe what a big difference a clean slate will make!
Before you show the house, always do a smell test. You may not be able to recognize a smell you’re used to, so pay attention next time you walk in from outside. If an unpleasant or stale odor hits your prospective home buyers as soon as they walk in the door, they likely won’t have a good impression. If there is a problem, air out the house with open windows and fans, and use light air fresheners with natural scents (NOT heavy room sprays).
Your Interior Designer at the Lake
As much as you might want to show off your personal style and taste, it's important to remember that staging a home is not about you. When it's time to sell your house, you should start to think of it like a product rather than your own beloved home. Present it in a way that appeals to lots of buyers, makes sense in how someone will use the space, and is clean and polished for a great first impression. If you need great staging pieces - or even new furniture for the home you're moving to - be sure to visit John Elliott Interiors! Our high-end home store in Lake Ozark has the best fine art, home décor, and beautiful furniture to make any house look outstanding!
