But first, declutter.
Decluttering is an essential step in preparing your home for sale. Here are some suggestions on what to declutter before staging your home.
Personal Items
Remove any personal items such as family photos, trophies, awards, and other personal memorabilia. This will help potential buyers imagine themselves living in the space, rather than feeling like they are invading someone else’s personal space.
Excess Furniture
Too much furniture can make a room feel cramped and small. Remove any excess furniture that is not needed or that is taking up too much space. This will help create a more open and spacious feel to the room.
As a general rule of thumb, whether you are living in the space or staging it for sale, you shouldn’t have furniture lining an entire wall of any room. Negative space, also known as empty or blank space, refers to the areas in a room that are intentionally left empty or unoccupied by furniture or decorative elements. By strategically creating negative space, you can make a room feel more open and spacious. But find a balance. Too much space and the house will feel cold or impersonal.
Clothing and Accessories
Clear out any closets or storage areas that are overflowing with clothing and accessories. If you don’t have the time or space to clear our everything, at least pick things up off the floor. Use cohesive bins or baskets to contain things like scarves and bathing suits for a polished look. You want to showcase the storage space available in the home, so make sure it’s not cluttered with your own belongings. According to San Diego realtor Dane Soderberg, when staging your home it’s “best to not completely clear out closets or storage but to keep just a few key items that provide some scale.”
Kitchen Items
The kitchen is a key area of the home that buyers often focus on. Remove any small appliances or kitchen items that are not necessary for daily use. This will help create more counter space and make the kitchen feel less cluttered.
A kitchen is one of the most time-consuming and expensive areas to renovate, so buyers want to ensure they are getting a space that meets their needs and style. While you may love your airfryer, Nutribullet, and ricer cooker, less is definitely more here.
Bathroom Items
Keep bathrooms clean and free of clutter. Remove any toiletries or personal items from the countertops and consider adding a fresh coat of paint to brighten up the space. Did you know that light paint reflects more light and gives the impression that a space is bigger?
Books and Magazines
If you have a large collection of books or magazines, consider decluttering them before showing your home. Feeling extra ambitious? Arrange your books by color and size. This will help create a more streamlined and organized feel to the space.
Toys and Games
If you have children, make sure to declutter any excess toys and games. This will help create a more adult-friendly environment and allow potential buyers to better imagine themselves living in the space.
Finishing Touches
While I’ve focused primarily on what to remove from your home before staging, I’ll leave you with one thing to add: greenery. Especially if your home didn’t have any previously, adding some house plants or flowers can be a simple way to enhance the look and feel of your home. Plants bring a warm and inviting feeling to a space, which is exactly what you want potential buyers to feel.
Remember, decluttering is all about creating a clean and organized space that will appeal to potential buyers. By removing excess personal items, furniture, and other clutter, you will create a more spacious and inviting environment that will help sell your home more quickly and for a better price.