PROPERTYSPARK ARTICLE

Creating an Inviting Atmosphere: Tips for Staging Homes That Sell

Start with a Clean Slate

Creating an appealing environment starts with a fresh slate. This means stripping a home of personal items — like family photos, trinkets or anything that may distract potential buyers. The idea is to show an emotionally empty canvas where buyers can picture themselves living.

Once the home is organized, work on the deep clean. Everything should shine; from the floors to countertops to windows. A clean home won’t just look better, but it will also give off a better aroma that is more pleasing to buyers. To really clean with scent, try subtle but classic scents like perfumes with cherry to let the space breathe without overwhelming it. Remember, nothing allows for a better first impression than cleanliness and smell.


Use Neutral Colors

Color can have a huge impact on how a room feels, so when choosing paint, be sure to choose wisely. For staging purposes, neutral shades are really your best option. Soft shades of gray, beige and white serve as blank canvases for buyers, making it easier for them to picture their own furnishings and accessories in the room.

Granted, while making a room neutral helps set a serene stage, you can still add some spiff with gentle reminders. Try incorporating soft textiles, such as pillows and blankets, in tonal shades. This will help add a little warmth without taking over a space. The goal is for the room to feel open and bright—which is precisely what most buyers want.


Maximize Natural Light

Natural light is an extremely sought-after quality in a home, so you must enhance it to your advantage when staging a home. First, take down blackout drapes and heavy or dark blinds that block light. Then replace them with light, gauzy drapery that lets sunshine in.

In rooms that lack natural light, do your best to brighten the space. Floor and table lamps, and well-placed mirrors, help illuminate dim corners. Because when a room feels light and bright, it feels more expansive and open—and people shopping for a home definitely like the sound of that!


Create Cozy Spaces

Small and separate defined spaces within a home can make it feel more inviting and useful. Consider creating smaller, intimate spaces that make buyers want to relax and spend time there. For example, create a seating arrangement in the living room that encourages conversation, such as around a coffee table or near a fireplace.

Soft textures like blankets, soft throw pillows and comfortable materials make a home feel cozy. These warm and welcoming touches help make a home feel interesting, comfortable, and somewhere one would want to be without being cluttered. The idea behind the decor is to make the home feel comfortable and relaxing—somewhere the buyers can see themselves spending time hosting friends and enjoying life.


Incorporate Subtle Scents

Sight might be what gives your home some appeal, but when it comes to ambiance, don’t underestimate the power of smell. A pleasant smell makes a home more inviting and adds an extra-special touch that buyers won’t forget. To add a subtle, calming scent, consider natural options like lavender or vanilla fragrances.

For a real touch of class, you can even add a perfume with cherry notes. The light and fresh scent will set your home apart for its beauty and elevate its elegance. Just remember, don’t go overboard with it, as strong scents can cause some people to become aggravated. The scent should be a light, elusive fragrance, not a bold, strong force.


Add Greenery and Natural Elements

Indoor plants are an ideal way to make a home feel more colorful and inviting. You can never go wrong with large plants in a pot in the corner of a room or a small succulent on a kitchen counter.

Other than plants, you could also use natural items—such as wood, stone and wicker—to assist in making your home look more cozy. These decor pieces help create a welcoming and happy atmosphere in each room. Plus, natural-looking decor and furniture help your home stay trending and fresh, ultimately appealing to more buyers.

Stage Key Areas

When staging a home, it’s those indispensable areas, the ones buyers use most, that make the greatest impression – the living room, the kitchen, and the bedrooms. Buyers will spend the most time in these spaces and, as a result, should really draw people in.

For the living room, furnish the space to create a cozy and obtainable room for the buyer to imagine themselves relaxing in. In the kitchen, showcase otherwise open countertops with a few choice accessories, such as a bowl of fresh fruit or blooming tulips. For the bedroom, create an environment conducive for sleeping by using smooth linens, comfortable bedding, and toss in a cluster of decorative pillows. The overall intention is to create a space the buyer can retreat to, a place to relax and unwind.

Turn Potential Into Irresistible

Staging a home as warm and homey is all in the small details that make a space feel cozy, inviting, and ready for new memories to be made. Starting from a clean space, using neutral tones, making the most out of natural light and cultivating comfortable areas inside will make your listings shine and help get you to the closing table sooner. Make your buyer feel like he’s already home and it becomes an irresistible deal.