We\u2019re going to take it a step further and show you how to stage a house on a budget with stuff that\u2019s mostly free and some change. From tips and tricks to get everything you need at a bargain, to going all in on that “something borrowed” that makes your house look staged… this guide has everything you need. Go ahead and put the credit card away.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people say clutter eats equity, and I think that\u2019s absolutely true,\u201d said Debra Gould<\/a>, an internationally recognized home staging expert and creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. Buyers will assume if you don\u2019t have enough room for your own belongings, neither will they.<\/p>\n Then they\u2019ll lowball you (ouch!)<\/p>\n Not to mention, you can\u2019t begin staging until you have empty end tables, cleared counters and open floor space that\u2019s ready to be styled with a magazine-worthy look.<\/p>\n Decluttering is one of the most cost-effective ways to help your home show better. Follow these free decluttering tips to for a potential ROI of 432%:<\/a><\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to spend weeks pricing out everything you own, but there\u2019s easy money to be made on many of your belongings\u2014money that could go a long way towards other parts of the staging process. Posting some of your bigger-ticket items on the Facebook Marketplace<\/a> or other buy-and-sell groups on the site can help you unload housewares you don\u2019t plan on taking to your new space. To give yourself more closet space, give Poshmark<\/a> a try; the site lets you post new and used clothes for sale to a network of millions of users.<\/p>\n Tabitha Kontur<\/a>, a top-selling agent in Huntsville, Alabama, recommends that you put away 20% of your belongings right off the bat in the selling process. This will help jump-start your move and make the house look larger and as organized as Marie Kondo\u2019s<\/a> sock drawer.<\/p>\n As you clear out clutter, you\u2019ll wonder what to do with all these boxes and totes and at that point you\u2019ll think \u201cIt would be oh so easy to just dump everything in a storage unit.\u201d Yes, yes it would. That doesn\u2019t mean you should do it, dear budget stager.<\/p>\n The average 10 x 20 unit costs $100 per month<\/a> and there are more creative ways to either pare down or temporarily house your extra stuff for free.<\/p>\n One idea is to neatly stack your boxes in the garage. Seriously. Kontur says buyers expect to see some spaces in the house used as storage. So long as you don\u2019t throw stuff in there haphazardly like a hoarder you\u2019ll be fine. (HomeLight has a bunch of garage organization tools and product recs<\/a>\u2014knock yourself out).<\/p>\n Even better, donate items that are in good shape<\/a> to charities like Goodwill, Salvation Army or local libraries and animal shelters. Or, you could always ask a friend if you can borrow a corner of their garage, shed, or storage unit until the house sells. Pay them back with a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant (it\u2019s cheaper than 3 months of storage), or simply offer to return the favor someday.<\/p>\n No need to hire help here, especially since professional organizers cost in the ballpark of $30-$80 per hour<\/a>. Instead, get a box of trash bags ($5.99), use extra boxes around the house or go to your local grocer and get ones for free. (Follow HomeLight\u2019s fun guide on how to find cheap boxes<\/a> like a scrappy hunter gatherer).<\/p>\n Turn on some Netflix and let the purge commence. Good places to start: overstuffed bookshelves, desks littered with paperwork, and bathroom countertops crammed with beauty supplies.<\/p>\n 91% of top agents<\/a> recommended doing a deep clean as a part of the staging process. After all, you wouldn\u2019t want to go through the trouble of dressing up your fireplace mantel when all homebuyers are going to notice is the layer of dust on the surface.<\/p>\n Other than elbow grease, your main expense when you deep clean yourself is the price tag of cleaning supplies. Here\u2019s how to drastically cut those costs:<\/p>\n In place of your usual all-purpose kitchen cleaner, make your own cleaning solution of 50\/50 white vinegar and water<\/a>; use it on counters and other surfaces. For floors, mix 1\/2 cup of borax with 2 gallons of hot water.<\/a> Apartment Therapy has a list of 25 more ways to make your own cleaner<\/a> for any job in the house. Just think of the dollars saved!<\/p>\n Purchasing paper supplies is money out the window; instead, use up old socks that have holes and other tattered clothing headed for the garbage bin. Throw them in the washing machine at the end of each cleaning session. You can even recycle pieces of newspaper to shine up windows.<\/p>\n No need to buy name-brand dust cloths; used dryer sheets<\/a> can be used on baseboards, blinds, ceiling fans, furniture and any other surface that needs it.<\/p>\n Once you spray down a surface\u2014whether it be a countertop or a toilet\u2014give your cleaning supplies time to work. Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes to soften stubborn grime before wiping it away; otherwise, you may spray and re-spray more times than needed.<\/p>\n Most homebuyers today scout their favorite houses online, and before they even reach out to an agent, they drive by the home to determine if it will remain a contender. This is why staging the outside of the home is just as important as staging the inside\u2014you want to create such an inviting look that homebuyers will keep your home on the top of their list.<\/p>\n Curb appeal doesn\u2019t have to cost you the big bucks, though. In fact, 70% of agents recommend spending $1,000 or less on curb appeal improvements<\/a>, while over a third say you don\u2019t need to shell out more than $500. You\u2019ll need to take care of any basic lawn care<\/a>\u2014mow the lawn, trim the hedges and top off the mulch<\/a>. Once you\u2019re working with a clean slate, layer on some charm. Here\u2019s how to do it on a shoestring budget:<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to make sure when you come through your front door, the paths to walk through the house are free and clear of any furniture,\u201d Kontur said.<\/p>\n To get the flow just right, Elle Decor advises allotting 30-48 inches<\/a> of space for high-traffic walkways and 24 for lower-traffic areas (make sure you\u2019re measuring from the backs of chairs that are pulled out; not pushed in. You may need to remove a leaf from the dining room table, if possible. Finally, leave 14 to 18 inches of space between the couch and coffee table.<\/p>\n Depending on how much furniture you need to move (and how far), you might consider a few budget-friendly tools to make the job easier. Furniture sliders for carpet<\/a> ($4) or hardwoods<\/a> ($5) make it easy to move large pieces within a room without scratching up the floors; if you need to get things out of the house and loaded up into a car, you might rent a 4-wheel dolly from the Home Depot for the day (about $10, depending on your city).<\/p>\n Before you start shopping for home accents to stage the place, take stock of what you have on hand. For example:<\/p>\n When you\u2019re staging on a budget, It\u2019s only after you\u2019ve scrounged your own house for options that you should invest in a few fresh pieces of decor. But the good news: even these new pieces don\u2019t have to be expensive. There are plenty of great deals out there. Here are some cheap items that make the biggest splash:<\/p>\n Top real estate agents universally agree: put a fresh coat of paint on those walls<\/a> before you show your house. Your best bet is to stick to a pleasant shade of beige or greige. In fact, 137 agents in HomeLight\u2019s Q1 survey recommended Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams.<\/a> Sounds safe, but it\u2019s what buyers are responding well to. To save on the cost of supplies, stick to only repainting the rooms that are either a non-neutral or otherwise distracting color.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve got a neutral backdrop, Gould suggests bringing accent colors in with textiles to prevent the space from appearing too bland. These home decor pieces can offer color and personality\u2014on the cheap:<\/p>\n If you have empty rooms or awkward spaces, bring in items from around the house that suggest to buyers how to use the space. A tight bedroom becomes a functional office with a little desk, chair, and task light. If you have a short run of cabinets on one wall of the kitchen, set up your coffee maker and a few decorative mugs to create a coffee bar.<\/p>\n Just don\u2019t go too overboard. \u201cGood staging doesn\u2019t look like the place is staged,\u201d Gould said. It just looks like a warm, inviting home.\u201d Some people, she says, will set the table with dishes, teacups and a rolled up newspaper\u2014a few details too many. \u201cIf it looks too contrived, it starts to feel manipulated.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, all of Kontur\u2019s staging items fit in a 30-gallon Rubbermaid container. She keeps three on hand\u2014each tailored to a different color scheme. Each container holds:<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s all it takes to make it feel like home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Big-ticket items aren\u2019t always in the budget when you\u2019re getting ready to make a big move. Instead, refresh items you already have.<\/p>\n \u201cThink about the neighborhood you\u2019re in and who the typical buyer would be,\u201d Gould suggests. For example, if you\u2019re a retiring couple moving out of a 4-bedroom home in a family-friendly neighborhood<\/a>, you\u2019ll likely get a lot of traffic from couples with kids in tow.<\/p>\n Consider turning one room you\u2019re not using into a kid\u2019s room with a youthful bedspread and a few stuffed animals, or carving out a play space. This is the time to crowdsource for d\u00e9cor\u2014ask friends and family if they have little toys and linens you could borrow temporarily.<\/p>\n If you live in an area with lots of interest from millennials, you may try a slightly different tactic with your staging. Millennials love entertaining<\/a>, so add touches that will show off how buyers can use the space to host their friends and family.<\/p>\n One way to do this is to set up a home bar in one of your larger rooms. Grab a few wine or rocks glasses and arrange them on a nice serving tray, along with decanters, corkscrews, cocktail shakers\u2014whatever you\u2019ve got on hand (or whatever you can find at the thrift store\u2014glassware can be as cheap as a quarter).<\/p>\n Stock the bar with wine from Aldi, Lidl or Trader Joe\u2019s, all known for their budget-friendly bottles starting around $4.<\/p>\n Natural light is important to buyers, so it\u2019s crucial in home staging to maximize what you have. Remove cornice boards\u2014the decorative upholstered boards installed atop windows\u2014if you\u2019ve got them to maximize the natural light in your home.<\/p>\n Take down any heavy draperies from the curtain rod\u2014make sure you have a sturdy step ladder on hand\u2014and either leave the windows unadorned or hang a pair of sheer panels to allow maximum light. IKEA sells sheer white curtains<\/a> for as low as $8.49 per pair.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to install expensive can lighting or new fixtures to brighten up a space. You just need to replace your bulbs. Follow this plan:<\/p>\n If you have tiny spaces, bring in mirrors from other rooms of the house and position them across from windows to reflect more light and make the space feel larger. If you don\u2019t have any spares around the house, check the Facebook marketplace or local buy and sell groups. With a quick search, we found deals on mirrors online for as low as $5.<\/p>\n Remember: when in doubt, you can always ask your agent for advice. Bring in a top local agent<\/a> who can help you determine the best way to show off the features of your home. He or she may even offer complimentary staging services: 75% of top agents<\/a> have helped homeowners with staging free of charge.<\/p>\n When interviewing agents, ask if they cover the cost of staging, whether they are doing it themselves or hiring the job out. It\u2019s a stressful (and expensive) time in a homeowner\u2019s life, so let the experts help you through the process\u2014the effort will all be worth it in the end.<\/p>\n Header Image Source: (Mark McCammon\/ Pexels)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How to stage a house on a budget with stuff that\u2019s mostly free and some change, from tricks to get everything you need at a bargain, to going all in on that “something borrowed.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":118,"featured_media":12689,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[321,240],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attract-buyers","category-staging"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/how-to-stage-a-house-on-a-budget-garage.jpg\")
<\/a>1. Remove clutter to set the stage for a fresh look\u2014just don\u2019t let it cost you<\/h3>\n
Make money on stuff that’s easy to sell<\/h4>\n
Skip the storage unit<\/h4>\n
Do the rest DIY<\/h4>\n
2. Get the house professional-level clean on an amateur budget<\/h3>\n
Make your own cleaning solutions<\/b><\/h4>\n
Skip the paper towels<\/b><\/h4>\n
Recycle used dryer sheets for dusting<\/h4>\n
Use less cleaning product<\/b><\/h4>\n
3. Create curb appeal with budget items<\/h3>\n
\n
\nThrow down an outdoor rug below your patio or porch furniture. Rather than buy a new one, go DIY for the most bang for your buck\u2014just grab some acrylic paint and burlap<\/a>.<\/li>\n
\nPull a serving tray from your cabinets and use it to corral a few bottles of Perrier<\/a> (or whatever nice looking beverages you have around the house), some colorful paper straws ($1.55 for a pack of 10)<\/a> and a few glasses; set it up on an outdoor table on your patio. Bring the tray out before you leave for your open house, to keep dirt and outdoor debris off.<\/li>\n
\nIf your potential buyers are driving by in the evening, you want them to be greeted with a warm, inviting scene. Pick up some inexpensive solar lights ($2 apiece)<\/a> to line your walkway. If you have a covered porch, hang some on-trend string lights ($10)<\/a> across the ceiling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/how-to-stage-a-house-on-a-budget-staging.jpg\")
<\/a>4. Rearrange the furniture for clear pathways<\/h3>\n
5. Shop your home<\/h3>\n
\n
\nPull out your fluffiest set, fold them in thirds so there\u2019s no edges showing, and arrange them on the towel bar or ring. A good rule of thumb: a single hand towel on a ring will do, but layer one smaller towel over a larger one on towel bars for a pro look.<\/li>\n
\nDisplay it in a cookbook holder\u2014a meager $7 investment from Target<\/a>\u2014or simply prop it open on the kitchen counter.<\/li>\n
\nSet up your ironing board and a nice laundry basket in the laundry room, if it\u2019s large enough, to emphasize the space. Pour detergents into glass jars and store dryer sheets in a basket or any other decorative container you can find around the house.<\/li>\n
\nFill decorative bowls with green apples to display in the kitchen or fill a vase with fresh flowers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n6.<\/b> Sprinkle in some new accents<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
\nThese don\u2019t need to have a luxury price tag. Pick up some pretty bottles or bars at retailers like Trader Joe\u2019s or T.J. Maxx\u2014you can typically score deals around $5. Remember not to actually use the bar soaps, though, until the house is sold.<\/li>\n
\nPlacing these strategically throughout the house\u2014Trader Joe\u2019s<\/a> always has a good selection, priced around $5 and up. Even just a small bud vase<\/a> with some greenery plucked from the yard can do in a pinch.<\/li>\n
\nHome stagers often recommend white shower curtains since they give bathrooms a clean, serene feel. But white doesn\u2019t have to be ho-hum: this waffle-weave option offers texture for just $20<\/a>.<\/li>\n
\nYou can find kitchen tea towels for under $10 at most retailers like Amazon or HomeGoods and serve as a cheerful pop of color\u2014these IKEA ones<\/a> come in a pack of 2 for just under $5. Fold them in thirds to hide the seam, then drape them over the handle of the oven.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/how-to-stage-a-house-on-a-budget-throw.jpg\")
<\/a>7. Paint it neutral, then layer on some color<\/h3>\n
\n
\nIf you went with gray on the walls, go with a cool tone like blue or green; for beige walls, you might prefer warm colors like red or yellow. Hop over to HM and get their cotton velvet throw pillow covers<\/a> for $10 each. Use them on neutral color furniture or even hard furnishings like wooden chairs and benches.<\/li>\n
\nNot only do throw blankets make rooms feel instantly cozier, they are a great way to add color. Fleece throws are the most cost-effective; find pretty (and expensive-looking) textured options for under $20<\/a>.<\/li>\n
\nForget expensive area rugs\u2014rugs that measure 2-feet-by-3-feet come cheap and make for great home accents, like this $12 one from T.J. Maxx<\/a>. Find one that color-coordinates with your other kitchen accents and place it in front of the kitchen sink.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n8. <\/b>\u00a0Give every space a sense of purpose<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
9.<\/b>\u00a0 Revamp your existing stuff<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/how-to-stage-a-house-on-a-budget-nursery.jpg\")
<\/a>10. <\/b>\u00a0Cater to your most likely buyers<\/b><\/h3>\n
11.<\/b>\u00a0 Let in natural light<\/b><\/h3>\n
12. Emulate natural light with nothing more than proper bulbs<\/h3>\n
\n
13. Use mirrors to simulate more square footage<\/h3>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/how-to-stage-a-house-on-a-budget-consult.jpg\")
<\/a>14. Make a game plan with your agent<\/h3>\n