In the past several years, home staging—or the process of arranging factors like furniture, lighting, colors, and decorative items to boost a home’s appeal—has emerged as a powerful way to attract buyers. Statistics indicate that staged homes sell more quickly and for up to twenty percent more than their unstaged counterparts. However, staging must be done properly, as there are several common pitfalls that could actually have a negative effect on buyers’ perceptions.
Are you thinking about staging your home for a successful sale? Whether you are doing it on your own or working with a professional, be sure to avoid the following mistakes:
- Faking it. Fake flowers, bowls of fake fruit, and even fake computer monitors are commonly used in model homes as a way to create the illusion of a functional living space. However, if your goal is to make your home look warm and inviting to buyers, displaying these artificial items could backfire. At best, they will make the home look obviously staged, and at worst, they may appear tacky and impersonal.
- Not staging appropriately for the size of the room. While keeping your home free of clutter is essential for attracting buyers, it’s a common misconception that adorning rooms with minimal amounts of undersized furniture and décor is the key to making the home appear more spacious. In reality, the most important factor is to decorate proportionately for the size of the room. In a sprawling room with high ceilings, small furnishings would look dwarfed and awkward—and on the other hand, overstuffed couches and other large items would make a smaller room appear cramped. As you choose items to place or keep in your rooms, strive to create spaces that are comfortable and practical, yet open enough to allow “room to grow” in accordance with buyers’ imaginations.
Closing doors. While it may seem obvious that you do not want to cordon off important sections of your home to buyers, doors may be closed before showings out of habit. However, this may cause rooms to appear unnecessarily small or could result in buyers missing entire spaces, like impressive closets or basements. Before a scheduled showing, perform a final walk-through to ensure that all doors are open (unless they are hiding an unsightly feature) and that buyers will be able to explore the home seamlessly.
- Excessive use of neutral colors. It’s true that a neutral color scheme is generally recommended for homes on the market. As opposed to bold and distracting hues, neutral colors—such as variations on beige, gray, and white—will help buyers picture themselves living there. However, too much of a good thing can harm buyers’ perceptions of your home, making it appear bland and unmemorable. Instead, spice up your neutral palette with some vibrant accent walls or boldly colored pieces of furniture.
- Ignoring the outside. First impressions count, and potential buyers begin to form theirs as soon as they pull up to your home. Therefore, be sure that your staging efforts extend to the yard. Ensure that the landscaping is well-maintained, fences and gates are freshly painted, and the driveway and walkways are in good repair. Consider putting out a new welcome mat or planting some colorful flowers to greet buyers before they even set foot in your home.
Sources: realtor.com & nwitimes.com
