16 DIY Home Staging Tips

Do-It-Yourself Tips for Staging Your Home

If hiring a home stager is not in your budget, we can still help you out. Before showing your house to a potential buyer, there are several things you can do yourself to showcase the best features of your house. Although there is no substitute for a qualified and experienced home staging professional, here is a short list of steps to follow before your open house.

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1. Create an inviting environment
Right before the potential buyers arrive, you can put some cookies in the oven to welcome your guests with the smell of freshly baked cookies. If you’re not a baker, light a few candles with a similar fragrance.

2. Maximize closet space
If possible, empty your closets to show off their full potential. If you’re still living in the home, try to get rid of things you don’t need and organize what has to stay. Potential buyers do not want to see your mess.

3. Put away your toothbrush
Before buyers arrive, go through every bathroom and put away toothbrushes, hairbrushes, lotions, and shampoos. This will create a cleaner, streamlined space.

4. Paint with neutral colors
Walls that are bright pink or dark orange can be polarizing. Re-paint these walls with neutral colors like beige or white that are appealing to the most amount of people.

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5. Hide the litter box
Take a few moments to hide the litter box, other pet toys, and small cages. Although your pets are an important part of your family, the potential odors associated with pets may scare some buyers away.

6. Park old cars around the corner
If you have an older car, you may want to park it around the corner during the open house. Part of selling your house is selling a desirable lifestyle.

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7. De-personalize the home
Take down family photos, obscure paintings, and political posters. Your house should like a model home.

8. Rent a power washer
Power washing the exterior of your home can make old surfaces look like new. Power washing the walk or patio will create a more inviting entrance to the home. Before power-washing any surface, make sure it’s safe and will not cause any damage.

9. Steam clean the carpets
You can do this yourself or you can hire a professional carpet cleaner. If you choose to do it yourself, you can typically rent a carpet cleaner from a local store on an hourly basis.

10. Organize the playroom
Make sure to put away all of the kids’ toys. Remember, you are selling the dream!

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11. Mow the lawn
Although it may seem obvious, make sure to mow the lawn and trim the trees before an open house. The outside of your home is just as important as the inside of your home.

12. Replace hardware on kitchen cabinets
If you can’t afford to replace or re-face old kitchen cabinets, you can replace the hardware to make the cabinets look like new. Don’t underestimate the power of these small changes.

13. Let the light in
Let in as much natural light as possible. If there is no natural light, make sure to install a light fixture in rooms that are darker. If you are not handy, a simple floor lamp can make a big difference.

14. Set the dinner table
Although you don’t want to overcrowd the table, simply setting the table can make a huge difference. You want your dining room to seem like a great space for entertaining.

15. Clean and then clean some more
You want your house to look well-maintained and well kept. Clean everything and then clean it again. If you don't want to do it yourself, hire a professional cleaning service.

16. Counter space is everything
Buyers don't need to see your food processor, your blender, your coffeemaker, and your toaster. Pick one or two appliances to maximize the amount of counter space available.

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