7 Cost-effective Ways to Stage Your Home Like a Pro

Are you thinking about preparing your home for sale but not sure where to start? Our DIY home staging guide will help you set up your property like a pro, without breaking the bank!

1. De-clutter and de-personalise

Staging a house on a budget is possible. One simple way to enhance the look and feel of your property is through de-cluttering and de-personalising it. Remove pens, remotes and stray books from the coffee table, clear your kitchen bench of bulky appliances, hide your bathroom essentials and even remove your clothes and shoes from the wardrobes if you have somewhere to store them. Your goal is for potential buyers to picture themselves living in your home, so pack that stack of bills away!

It might also be a good idea to take personal photos off the walls, event invitations off the fridge, and calendars that detail your day-to-day activities down. Firstly, for privacy and security reasons (you probably don’t want those inspecting your home to know who you are and what time you’ll likely be out of the house), and secondly, to help buyers viewing your home to imagine it as their own. Any reminders of your existence may hamper this process.

2. Set the table

It may sound strange but setting the table with your most glamourous dinner set is another way to encourage buyers to visualise their life in your home. Use (reasonably priced) props thoughtfully to add a bit of theatre and luxury to the home viewing, such as flowers or a tastefully arranged cheese platter – the options are endless! However, be sure to exercise restraint so as to avoid crossing the line into clutter-ville.

3. Fragrance is your friend

When staging your home for an open for inspection, how each room looks is of the utmost importance. However, how a house smells can also sway buyers. Consider turning on an essential oil diffuser or lighting an eco-friendly candle before the house hunters arrive and be sure to dispose of any unpleasant smelling rubbish.

4. A clean home is a desirable home

Do not underestimate the power of sparkling clean property. Open for inspections are all about creating a positive experience for potential buyers, and one sure-fire way to impress is with a spotless home.

5. First impressions count

When preparing your home for sale, don’t forget about the front entrance and garden. This is the first thing buyers will see and it is important to woo them from the start. Mow and weed your front lawn, repair any cracks in your driveway / front path and give your front door a fresh lick of paint if it needs it. Making a strong first impression will put buyers in a positive frame of mind for the remainder of the viewing, and potentially boost your home’s value.

6. Let there be light

Ensure that all of the blinds in your home are up for each inspection, to allow for maximum natural light. No one wants to buy a dark and gloomy home!

7. Rearrange furniture

Don’t be afraid to rearrange your furniture, or even remove a few pieces if appropriate. Set up your home in a way that flows and is likely to appeal to the greatest number of people.

If you’ve been wondering how to stage your house for sale while living in it, hopefully the above tips help. As you can see, you don’t have to spend thousands on a professional stylist or move out completely. Just a few small tweaks here and there and some logical choices can make all the difference.

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