{"id":3563,"date":"2018-02-28T16:50:34","date_gmt":"2018-03-01T00:50:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=3563"},"modified":"2024-03-15T12:31:41","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T19:31:41","slug":"diy-home-staging-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/diy-home-staging-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Home Staging Tips That’ll Transform Your Space Into a Showplace"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flip through the catalog of any home goods store and you\u2019ll see photo after photo of perfectly appointed living spaces. Those picturesque vignettes are strategically designed<\/a> to entice you into buying the showcased ottomans, end tables, and other decor. These same, clever DIY home staging tips will also do the trick to sell your own home faster and for more money.<\/p>\n

Homes that have been deep cleaned, depersonalized<\/a> and staged help potential buyers focus on the house rather than its current occupants. Just ask top real estate agent Dawn Krause,<\/a> who ranks at #2 out of 1,475 seller\u2019s agents in St. Louis County, MO:<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a huge advocate of staging. The look of the home is so important. Buyers overall do not have vision. Without staging, they have a hard time envisioning their own family and their own things in the home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Home staging is an essential tool that transforms your house into an inviting showplace that will attract the most potential buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors\u2019 (NAR) 2017 Profile of Home Staging, 77% of buyers say that staging helps them see a house as their future home.<\/p>\n

\"Diy<\/a>
Image via NAR Profile of Home Staging<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A home that\u2019s been decked out like a department store has benefits for the seller as well. The NAR\u2019s 2017 Staging Profile reports that 62% of sellers’ agents say that staged homes sell faster.<\/a> And the NAR\u2019s research from 2015 indicates that buyers are willing to pay more for a well-staged home, too.<\/p>\n

\"DIY<\/a>
Image via the National Association of Realtors<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Staging a home to sell isn\u2019t the same as decorating it to appeal to your own preferences. It\u2019s both an art and a science that might just require the assistance of a professional stager.<\/a> That help doesn\u2019t come cheap: it can cost an average of $1,390 to $1,750 to stage multiple rooms,<\/a> depending upon whether the house is occupied or vacant.<\/p>\n

But staging doesn\u2019t have to break the bank. If you have a good eye for color and design, you may be able to do the staging yourself. Just make sure you\u2019re redecorating the rooms in a neutral design style and color palette<\/a> so that your home appeals to the largest pool of buyers.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at how to transform each room of your home into a staged showplace.<\/p>\n

DIY Home Staging Tips: Cozy Kitchen<\/h2>\n

Whether you\u2019re cooking up a family meal or just hanging out for a cozy chat, there\u2019s no question that the kitchen is the hub of the home. In fact, Forbes lists the kitchen as one of the top two rooms that will make or break your home sale.<\/a><\/p>\n

When it comes to the kitchen, Krause advises her clients, \u201cFor open houses, I love it when the sellers make some good-smelling brownies or blueberry muffins or something like that just to elicit more of that warm, homey feel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tempting scents are a great way to make potential buyers at feel at home in the kitchen, however, appealing to their eyes is most important.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, unless you\u2019re going to invest in remodeling (link to Kitchen\/Bath Makeover article), your kitchen is what it is. Sure, you can repaint the walls and add a backsplash, but you cannot relocate the appliances or rearrange the layout of the cabinets to make the space appear larger or more inviting.<\/p>\n

Since you can\u2019t move the big stuff, will staging really help? Absolutely.<\/p>\n

In the kitchen, staging focuses on creating vignettes.<\/a> A vignette is a grouping of eye-catching objects arranged to create a pleasing picture. Think of it as a sort of still life arrangement that an artist might paint or photograph. The easiest way to master the art of designing vignettes is to follow The Rule of Three.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"diy<\/a>
Source: (Sarah J \/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

This interior design concept is just as simple as it sounds\u2014objects grouped in threes are more pleasing to the eye. That\u2019s why an interior designer might hang three pendant chandeliers over a kitchen island when two would\u2019ve given sufficient light.<\/p>\n

Follow this rule when staging your own kitchen to create stylized vignettes on your countertops. For example, hang three matching towels on your stove or pair your pretty salt and pepper shakers with a decorative olive oil decanter.<\/p>\n

Using the Rule of Three doesn\u2019t mean you can keep any old thing on your countertops, though. Cramming your blender, toaster and standing mixer together in a corner does not make an attractive vignette. Instead, tuck small appliances away and replace them with decorative pieces, such as a fruit bowl.<\/p>\n

So, how does a lone fruit bowl follow the Rule of Three? By being an odd number.<\/a> You see, while the number three is often the \u201ccharm\u201d when creating vignettes, groupings of five, seven and even one work, too, depending upon the size and variety. For example, place five apples in the fruit bowl and it\u2019ll look full and styled, but take one away and the four remaining apples look sad and lonely.<\/p>\n

Of course, the Rule of Three doesn\u2019t just apply to the number of objects, it can apply to other things, too. For instance, categories of objects\u2014like placing apples, oranges and bananas (three types of fruit) in the bowl.<\/p>\n

Make Your Living Room Lively<\/h2>\n

There is also a good choice when it comes to the number of colors you bring into a space like the living room. However, you shouldn\u2019t introduce them in equal amounts or they\u2019ll fight for attention. Instead, follow the interior design principle known as The 60-30-10 Rule.<\/a><\/p>\n

With 60-30-10, you\u2019re introducing three colors into the living room by percentages. In most cases, your wall color and one or two other items, like an area rug, will be the dominant hue, amounting to 60% of the color in the space. The furniture is often the secondary color, making up another 30% and the final 10% comes from a third accent hue that brings brightness into the room.<\/p>\n

\"DIY<\/a>
Source: (NeONBRAND \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When you\u2019re designing to sell, your dominant, 60% color should be a neutral hue\u2014like white, beige or gray\u2014that complements your existing furniture color.<\/a> For example, in this image the white walls and sofa make the blue furniture and accessories appear crisp and cool, while the small moments of yellow add a warm pop of color.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve got your 60-30-10 color story worked out, use the Rule of Three to create attractive vignettes on the living room\u2019s tables and shelves. Just remember, decluttered houses sell better<\/a> so you only want a few vignettes to keep your house from looking too bare and empty.<\/p>\n

The best way to keep from over-cluttering is to map out a few places for vignettes in each room. Create a list of what pieces you\u2019ll need and try to keep it short. For example, you\u2019ll only need two more items to create a three-piece vignette starring your end table lamp.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve got your list, go \u201cshopping\u201d for decorative accessories throughout your whole house to find a select few pieces that work well together. Pack away anything that doesn\u2019t make the cut\u2014especially your most distinctive decor that shows off your family and your personality. That way the focus stays on your house and not on your knickknacks.<\/p>\n

\"diy<\/a>
Source: (Sarah J \/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Functional Formal Dining Room<\/h2>\n

Which came first\u2014the death of the dinner party or the end of formal dining rooms? No matter how it happened, formal dining rooms aren\u2019t common anymore in the open floor plans of modern houses. So if your home has one, it can be a drawback for some buyers.<\/p>\n

So how do you sell a house that has a whole room of wasted space? With staging, naturally.<\/p>\n

A well-staged formal dining room will get potential buyers excited about the idea of hosting their own parties in the space. To make this happen, you simply need to set the table.<\/p>\n

Look over your existing dining set for any stains or damage to the woodwork. If you\u2019ve got grungy seat cushions or scratched finishes, hide them with tablecloths, table runners and chair covers in a color that complements the wall color and your china.<\/p>\n

Next, Break out your best dishware, polish up the fancy silverware, invest in fancy cloth napkins and lay out a properly positioned place setting<\/a> for every seat around the table. Of course, the place settings are one part of your tablescape.<\/a><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re choosing a centerpiece<\/a> that needs to last through the open house and multiple showings, fresh flowers simply won\u2019t do. Replacing the bouquet every other day isn\u2019t worth the effort or expense. Instead pick a low-maintenance, non-floral centerpieces <\/a> like a grouping of three succulents of varying heights or glass jars filled with seashells.<\/p>\n

If your dining table is too small to fill your dining room, don\u2019t despair\u2014staging can make the extra space appear useful. For unused corners, simply bring in a small table and stage it as a bar cart with bar glasses and decanters. If your extra space is longer, introduce a narrow buffet table and \u201cset\u201d it with covered serving dishes and a smaller centerpiece that complements the tablescape.<\/p>\n

\"diy<\/a>
Source: (Daiga Ellaby \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ask: Is My DIY Home Staging Outstanding?<\/h2>\n

Once your kitchen, living room and dining room are ready, how can you tell if your staging will appeal to buyers?<\/p>\n

Rather than trusting your own style judgment alone, it\u2019s best to review your redesign plans and results with your real estate agent.<\/a> If your realtor isn\u2019t convinced that your DIY staging will do the trick, it may be time to get a second opinion from a professional.<\/p>\n

For between $150 to $400<\/a> you can get a one to two-hour consultation from a professional stager who knows what colors and styles are most attractive to local buyers. Although they won\u2019t do the staging for you during the consultation, you will get an expert opinion on what you\u2019ve done right and what areas still need work.<\/p>\n

Whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional, one thing is certain\u2014-staging will definitely help your house sell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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