The article below was originally posted by Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty in November 2021, but it’s still relevant today! Staging and styling are services that our founder offers to her real estate clients, and Comfort Is Created offers it as a consulting service to homeowners and other REALTORS® in Fort Worth.

You may have noticed that many, if not most, top real estate agents have their listings staged. This is no coincidence, as staging a home for sale can make a big difference when it comes to two things:

1. How quickly the house will sell.

2. How much buyers are willing to pay for it.

So, what exactly is home staging? It is preparing a home for sale from an aesthetic perspective. It involves decluttering, removing personal items, decorating or redecorating so that the home feels current, and rearranging or replacing the existing furniture — all to highlight the most desirable aspects of the home.

82% of buyers cite that home staging helps them visualize their new home. Because staged homes regularly receive higher offers than non-staged homes, we’re sharing insider do’s and don’t’s on how to make your house look its very best before it hits the market.

THE SIX STAGING DO’S:

So you know it’s time to sell your house, but how do you stage your home for sale? Sotheby’s International Realty agents recommend these must-dos, especially for the maximum return on your investment:

1. Clear all clutter — Grab some cardboard boxes and plastic bins and label them, putting away all knick-knacks and all personal items — especially family photos. Clear off all clutter from kitchen and bathroom countertops. (The bigger that countertops look, the better.) Thin out all shelves, down to a select few books and pieces of decor. 

2. Think light, bright and neutral — Dark rooms won’t bring the best offers, if any at all. Paint all the rooms in calming, neutral colors if they aren’t already. Open all the curtains and, just before showings, turn on lots of lights and lamps. You want the home to feel as light and bright as possible. 

3. Hang or lean large mirrors — An instant way to make rooms feel more spacious is by hanging large mirrors — the bigger the better. You can also lean large mirrors against walls or behind sofas, to give the illusion of depth in the spaces. (Follow all safety precautions for securing leaned mirrors.) Add mirrors even to rooms with lots natural light already, so that they bounce that light around and add to the homes allure.

4. Hang floor-to-ceiling curtains — To make rooms feel their tallest, hang curtains all the way to the ceiling and all the way to the floor. This will give the impression that the room is loftier and more spacious.

5. Rearrange the furniture — Maximize the flow of your living spaces by rearranging the furniture. Choose a focal point, such as a fireplace or a wall of windows, and orient a seating grouping toward it. And, don’t push furniture against the walls: Rooms will actually feel larger if you pull sofas and chairs together nearer the middle of the room or its ends. Create multiple conversation areas if you can, with two chairs, for example, or a settee and a chair.

6. Mix up the furnishings — If your staged interior starts to feel a bit too neutral, try mixing up your furnishings a bit. Pull a pair of traditional chairs into a more contemporary living room. Hang a contemporary painting in a traditionally furnished bedroom. Put some pops of color here and there, too. Add some bright pillows to a beige or gray sofa, and put a couple of colorful vases on an empty bookshelf. The key is restraint, but a little energy injected into the rooms is a good thing.

THE SIX STAGING DON’T’S:

What should you avoid when you are deciding how to stage a home for sale? Follow this list, honed from decades of experience:

1. Don’t display any personalized belongings — Take down all family photos, painted portraits and anything with your family name on it including signs, trophies, nameplates and wall graphics. (This goes for kids rooms, too.) You want buyers to visualize themselves living in the home — not you.

2. Don’t get too wild with color — For paint, wallpaper and furniture, make sure none of it is too over-the-top in color or pattern. The more the home appeals to the most buyers, the better the chance of it selling for more money in less time. Stick to a neutral, soothing palette, using color sparingly, for accents here and there.

3. Don’t forget the outside of the house — Curb appeal is critical for making a first impression. Make sure the lawn is neatly manicured and the hedges are trimmed. Put a fresh coat of paint on the front door. Replace or repair any damaged parts of the sidewalks. Pick up all toys, water hoses, fallen branches, etc. Basic maintenance goes a long way for staging the outside of the home.

4. Don’t forget the garage — This is an oft-overlooked aspect of staging a home. If your garage is messy or disorganized, tidy it up. (See our related story, here.) After all, 32% of buyers cite the garage as one of the most important spaces in the home. 

5. Don’t overlook odors you can’t smell — Let’s face it: It can be difficult to smell your own home. The smartest approach? Neutralize any potential odors in your home as much as possible, especially if you have pets. Try natural methods of freshening and neutralizing — including baking soda, distilled white vinegar, coffee grounds, vanilla extract and lemons — or air fresheners and diffusers. 

6. Don’t hesitate to get help — Staging your home might feel like an intimidating process. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. As a realtor and home stager, it’s my job to make homes look and feel their best. The associated costs are almost always recouped exponentially. Effective home staging is an art and a science, though some of the most basic tricks can be accomplished on your own.

If you are a REALTOR® or homeowner selling your house in Fort Worth, work with us to be sure it is staged to sell!