Staging Your Home to Sell: 15 Specific Tips That Actually Work
- Published on
- 9 min read
-
Richard Haddad Executive EditorClose
Richard Haddad Executive EditorRichard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.
As you prepare to sell your home, you’ve likely heard the standard pre-listing advice: deep clean and declutter, and consider which rooms need a fresh coat of paint. But in a market filled with hesitant buyers, you need to go a step further, especially if you want top dollar.
This post provides specific advice on staging your home to sell. It’s about presenting your house in a way that’s warm and inviting, and helps buyers instantly imagine themselves living there. Read on to learn 15 real-world staging tips you can put into practice right away.
Looking to Get Top Dollar? Connect With a Top Agent
It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process. Our data shows the top 5% of agents across the U.S. help clients sell their home for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent.
1. Remove that extra chair and let the room breathe
It’s tempting to keep every piece of furniture in the living room, but too much can make the space feel smaller. If you’ve got an extra recliner tucked in the corner or a second sofa or end table that blocks the natural flow of the room, move it out.
Buyers want to walk in and see a space that feels open and inviting. By removing just one or two bulky pieces, you create better traffic flow and help the room feel bigger without lifting a hammer or knocking down a wall.
2. Take magnets, photos, and kids’ art off the fridge
Your fridge might be the family command center, but buyers don’t need to know your child’s spelling test score or your dentist appointment schedule. Clearing the surface of magnets, school art, and notes makes the whole kitchen look cleaner and less cluttered.
Think of it this way: buyers want to see how much counter space and storage they’re getting, not how your family uses it. A bare fridge door keeps the focus on the kitchen itself, not on your personal life.
3. Swap fake fruit bowls for real lemons and greenery
Dusty silk flowers or plastic fruit bowls give off a dated or fake vibe. Instead, bring in something real and fresh. A bowl of bright lemons on the counter or a simple potted plant on the dining table adds a natural pop of color and makes the home feel alive.
What’s more, greenery doesn’t have to be expensive or high-maintenance. A small snake plant, a bunch of eucalyptus from the grocery store, or even a vase of cut flowers before listing photos can all do the trick. These little touches can go a long way in helping buyers picture your house as a happy, healthy home.
4. Replace mismatched light bulbs with warm ones
Lighting can completely change how your home feels. If one lamp has a soft yellow glow, another a bright white, and the hallway light a bluish tint, buyers will notice — and it can make the whole place feel pieced together.
Go through your house and swap out old bulbs for matching warm-white ones. Not only will this give every room a consistent, inviting look, but it’s also one of the least expensive upgrades you can make before selling. Agents often turn on all the lights during showings and photos, so this detail matters more than you might think.
5. Repaint bold rooms (yes, even your electric blue bathroom)
You may love that cobalt blue wall or cherry-red kitchen, but most buyers won’t. Bright or unusual paint colors can distract from the actual space and leave buyers thinking about the project of repainting instead of picturing themselves living there.
Stick with neutral paint shades like soft gray, beige, off-white, or cream. These tones make rooms look bigger, cleaner, and more versatile — and they appeal to the widest range of buyers. Repainting tends to be one of the highest-ROI improvements sellers can make.
6. Stage the entryway with just a mat and a plant
Your front entryway is a pivotal first impression zone. Buyers form opinions before they even step through the door. A clean doormat and a single planter by the entryway can do more than a dozen knick-knacks or lawn ornaments.
Keep it simple: sweep the front steps, remove shoes or clutter, and add one fresh element like a seasonal plant. The goal is to make the entrance feel welcoming, not busy. That first glance sets the tone for the rest of the showing.
7. Fold fresh towels like you’re at a spa
Bathrooms can make or break a showing, and the easiest way to elevate them is with crisp, clean towels. Retire the faded beach towels and mismatched bath sheets. Instead, fold or roll a few fluffy white towels and place them neatly on a shelf or towel bar.
It instantly gives the space a spa-like vibe, and it signals to buyers that the home is cared for. Bonus tip: keep a separate “staging set” of towels just for showings so they always look pristine.
8. Set the dining table with simple place settings
A bare dining room can feel cold, while an overdone tablescape can feel fussy or forced. Aim for something in between: a few plates, napkins, and glasses that suggest hospitality without being distracting.
Think casual but intentional, like you’re ready for a nice dinner at home, not hosting a wedding reception. This small touch helps buyers picture themselves gathering around the table with family and friends.
9. Hide cords, remotes, and gaming consoles
Electronics are part of everyday life, but they can make a living room look messy fast. Before showings or photos, tuck away charging cords, bundle TV wires behind the console, and stash extra remotes or gaming systems in a drawer.
Buyers aren’t looking at how many HDMI cables you own; they’re evaluating the flow and feel of the room. A clean, uncluttered media area helps keep their attention on the space, not all your stuff.
10. Hang mirrors where light is scarce
If a room feels small or dark, a strategically placed mirror can be an affordable game-changer. Mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light, instantly brightening the space and making it feel larger.
Try hanging one across from a window or above a console table in a hallway. It’s a simple trick that can make even the tightest or dimmest corners of your home feel more open and welcoming.
11. Leave closets only half full
Closets are a huge selling point, but buyers will assume they’re too small if yours are jam-packed. As a rule of thumb, aim to leave them only about half full.
That might mean boxing up out-of-season clothes, donating what you no longer wear, or storing extras off-site temporarily. The more breathing room you create on those shelves and rods, the more storage buyers will think they’re getting.
12. Keep counters nearly bare, about one item per surface
In kitchens and bathrooms, cluttered counters make spaces feel smaller and less functional. As a rule, limit yourself to one (nice-looking) item per surface. For example, in the kitchen, you might keep just a modern coffee maker or an attractive bowl of fresh fruit. In the bathroom, maybe a soap dispenser or a small plant.
Everything else, such as stand mixers, air fryers, and cosmetic organizers, should be stashed away or boxed and stored off-site. This simple countertop trick instantly makes your home look cleaner, larger, and move-in ready.
13. Make the bed like you’re in a model home
A messy or uninspired bed can drag down the whole vibe of a bedroom. Take a few extra minutes to make it hotel-style: smooth out the sheets, add a comforter or duvet, stack pillows neatly, and drape a folded throw blanket at the foot.
Even if the rest of the room is simple, a polished bed makes the entire space look intentional and inviting. It’s one of those small details that can leave a surprisingly big impression.
14. Add subtle scents, but skip strong candles
Smell is a powerful part of staging, but it’s easy to overdo. Overpowering air fresheners or heavy candles can make buyers wonder if you’re trying to cover something up.
Instead, go subtle and natural. Crack a window before a showing, and use a light diffuser with a fresh scent like clean linen or eucalyptus. Skip over-the-top gimmicks like baking cookies just before a showing; this is too obvious. The goal is for buyers to walk in and think the home simply smells clean. (Be certain to watch out for pet odors.)
15. Turn the backyard into a ‘bonus living space’
Outdoor areas can feel like an afterthought, but buyers love seeing them staged as an extension of the home. Even if you don’t usually use the space this way, set up a couple of chairs and a small table on the patio, or place a bench and potted plant on the deck. A simple fire pit can also inspire the imagination.
These touches help buyers imagine relaxing, entertaining, or dining outside, and that “extra room” feeling can make your property stand out in their minds.
How Much Is Your Home Worth Now?
Home values have rapidly increased in recent years. How much is your current home worth now? Get a ballpark estimate from HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator.
Staging your home to sell gives you an edge
With home sales at their slowest pace in more than 15 years, staging is one of the best tools to stack the deck in your favor. From swapping out light bulbs to folding spa-like towels, the little details can add up to a big difference in how buyers see your space.
And as you can see, staging your home to sell doesn’t have to be complicated, nor do you need to go it alone. The right real estate agent can guide you to the strategies that matter most in your market. Top agents can also refer you to professional staging companies that can do even more.
Use HomeLight’s Agent Match to connect with a trusted agent who can help you sell faster — and for the best price possible. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which local agent is best for you based on your needs.
Header Image Source: (52Photo/ Depositphotos)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.