11 Home Staging Tips To Speed Up Your Property Sale

15th November 2024

‘Home staging’ is a term used for styling a property to make it more appealing to buyers and encourage a higher sale price. In fact, by staging your home for sale, you could add 10% to your sale price and sell it three times faster! 

When you stage your home, you aim to remove your personal style so that buyers can picture themselves living in the property and imprint their own style.

In this article, we’ll give you some top tips for staging a home for sale, from perfecting your lighting to making the most of your outside space. Remember, staging your home doesn't need to be expensive, and you’ll reap the rewards when it comes to sale time! 

As well as staging your home, you might also want to consider the prime time of year to sell your home. 
 

1. Improve your kerb appeal

First impressions count! When your potential buyer first lays eyes on your property, you want it to look its absolute best. Many buyers make up their minds within seconds of seeing the exterior of a house.

Tidy your front garden, hide bins, de-weed paths, and pressure wash your driveway to help influence your viewer's first impressions. You might also consider giving your front door a fresh lick of paint!

2. Let in the light!

Aim to bring as much natural light and sparkle into your property as possible. Natural light creates a more positive and uplifting atmosphere. 

Give your windows a good clean - inside and out. Remove any net curtains, fully open and tie back curtains, and lift any blinds. 

3. Perfect your lighting 

Most buyers are looking for a light and bright home. Even if your house doesn't get a great deal of natural light, there are plenty of ways to lighten even the darkest corners. 

Add lamps or light candles in darker areas, install hanging lights over tables or in living areas, and consider adding dimmer switches to add just the right amount of light to a room.

4. Deep clean your home

A clean house shows that you have taken pride in your home and that there are no underlying issues to hide behind. 

Work through each room and dust all surfaces (including skirting boards), vacuum carpets, mop hard floors, and wipe clean surfaces and appliances. De-mould kitchens and bathrooms and consider replacing sealant around baths and sinks. 

5. Declutter your rooms

By removing unnecessary furniture and clutter, buyers will be able to see your property's full potential. 

Use existing storage wherever possible, put kitchen appliances in cupboards, move excess furniture away from smaller spaces, hide cables and extension leads, and tidy your shelves and sideboards. As a rule of thumb, try to halve the number of items in a room.

6. Give each room a clear purpose

Without seeing its clear purpose, a buyer may be unable to envision how they would use a room. 

Ensure your furniture and belongings are displayed in the correct rooms. If a room is listed as a bedroom, make sure it's used as such. If you have an open-plan space, make sure the areas used are well-defined - for instance, separate living and dining spaces in an open-plan lounge-diner.

7. Add a fresh lick of paint

A freshly painted room can really help freshen up a space. A neutral scheme will enable prospective buyers to imagine putting their own stamp on a property.

Choose soft and light colours to help make a space lighter and brighter. Touch up any marks, stains and chips to walls, doors or skirting boards.

8. Use fresh linen, towels, cushions, and throws

Styling your home can make a lasting impression on your buyer. Get out your best linen to make the property look fresh and clean! 

Hang fluffy towels in the bathroom. Add fresh, clean bedding and plump pillows in the bedrooms. Revive old furniture with cushions and throws. Have a look on Pinterest for some inspiration!

9. Use statement items to bring a room to life

Adding a statement piece can create a focal point in a room and is a fun way of dressing a house.

Artfully position lush green plants (or artificial ones if you aren't green-fingered!), add a centrepiece to dining tables and hang mirrors to increase perceived space.

10. Tidy gardens and outdoor space

Don't neglect any outdoor spaces, as these are one of the most in-demand features in UK properties and a huge deciding factor in a house sale. 

Pressure wash patios and paths, sweep up leaves and twigs, trim back or throw away any dying plants, place some colourful potted plants in paved outdoor areas, and tidy outdoor furniture - adding cushions if you have any.

11. Make your home smell good!

A beautiful scent can create a welcoming atmosphere and leave a lasting impression. 

Depending on the season, use a fresh fragrance such as linen, citrus, cinnamon or pine. Scents can come from air and carpet fresheners, or you could put vanilla essence in an ovenproof bowl and heat in the oven for 30 minutes to give a lovely smell of home baking! And if you can, open a window to let in a fresh breeze.

House staging is a key element of selling a property, and we hope these staging ideas will inspire you to make your home look the best it can be to ensure a speedy sale! 

Find out how else you can add value to your home before selling. 

Marchand Petit: experts in selling homes

If you want to sell your home or need additional help with the selling process, speak to Marchand Petit. We’re an established estate agent in Devon with an experienced and expert team, specialising in luxury homes in and around the South Hams.