{"id":9872,"date":"2019-03-28T20:19:40","date_gmt":"2019-03-29T03:19:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=9872"},"modified":"2026-03-27T13:21:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T20:21:44","slug":"home-staging-tips-for-sellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/home-staging-tips-for-sellers\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Basic Home Staging Tips for Sellers Who Struggle with Design"},"content":{"rendered":"

To those without an eye for design, suggestions to stage your house before you sell it<\/a> can sound like a foreign language. Vague concepts like “help buyers visualize your home as theirs” and “make sure rooms flow” feel good in theory, but how do you execute on it?<\/p>\n

Though in some cases professional staging<\/a> could be the best route, there are a number of DIY staging techniques<\/a> sellers can do around the house to help get it ready for photos and showings, too. We’ve dug up these 10 highly actionable home staging tips for sellers that don\u2019t require years of interior design experience or an artist\u2019s brain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Source: (Kaboompics .com\/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Apply a fresh coat of paint to dark interior walls.<\/h2>\n

You may love that dark gray shade that you selected for your living room years ago, but your prospective buyers may not agree\u2014especially if they\u2019re first seeing your home online in photographs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe never have buyers that come to us and ask for a dark house,\u201d explained John Fudge<\/a>, a former interior designer and top agent in Huntsville, AL<\/a> with nearly 20 years of experience selling real estate. \u201cEvery buyer wants a light, open, airy space.\u201d<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to be Picasso to paint over gloomy walls with a fresh coat of color that exudes that luminous glow buyers seek.<\/p>\n

The science behind color<\/a> tells us that when you paint a room white, the walls will reflect the room\u2019s natural light and open up a space without you having to remodel or add square footage. Darker colors can be dramatic, but they\u2019ll suck up light and color instead of brightening the room\u2019s aura.<\/p>\n

Try a neutral paint color like Behr\u2019s<\/a> Candlelight Ivory, Benjamin Moore\u2019s<\/a> Silver Satin, or Glidden\u2019s<\/a> Smooth Stone. Shades like these are light enough to photograph well and will play nicely with the beams of sunlight that come in through the windows during daytime showings.<\/p>\n

2. Clean up your bathroom decor.<\/h2>\n

Your bathroom might not take up much space in your home\u2019s floor plan, but if it\u2019s not staged correctly, it can turn off buyers faster than you realize. Don\u2019t worry\u2014we\u2019re not suggesting you try pull together a shabby-chic or beach-inspired theme on a whim. No floral patterns or jars of sea shells required.<\/p>\n

In fact, what most homeowners want is a contemporary bathroom<\/a> style, defined by Homestratosphere as \u201copen space, straight lines, clutter-free\u2026[a] clean, fuss-free environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen in doubt, ask yourself what a luxury hotel would do,\u201d advised Justin Riordan<\/a>, founder of West Coast home staging company Spade and Archer. \u201cWhat color towels would a luxury hotel use? Hotels use white towels because they show dirt. They do this on purpose because they want you to see how clean they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Use this hack in your own bathroom by stocking up on fluffy white towels<\/a> and accessories, as well as a white shower curtain<\/a>. When it comes to staging your bathroom<\/a>, a super sanitized look should be the goal.<\/p>\n

3. Make sure your home is appealing to all five senses.<\/h2>\n

Staging a home isn\u2019t just a visual job. You\u2019ll want to make sure your space appeals to the senses beyond sight<\/a>. Your buyers will need to fall in love with the smells, sounds, and textures of the home before making a major commitment to it.<\/p>\n

For some homeowners, this may mean being extra diligent about cleaning up after Fido and Mittens. Pet toys should be kept out of sight, and litter boxes will need to be kept in pristine condition. Authentic freshness beats artificial air fresheners<\/a> every time.<\/p>\n

In addition to eliminating pet odors, homeowners should pay attention to the textures and feel of their home. Staging a home with comfortable furniture can help prospective homeowners to feel more at ease in a new space. Throw pillows<\/a>, soft blankets<\/a>, and using lots of pleasant textures expressed through furnishings like faux-fur rugs appeals to the buyer\u2019s desire for comfort.<\/p>\n

Bonus points if you\u2019re able to play some soft background music to make your space appealing to your target audience. Selection is key here; you won\u2019t want to be playing Ariana Grande\u2019s latest jams when showing your home to a retired couple looking to downsize. Think more along the lines of smooth jazz (and turn it down a notch!)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Source: (David Sherry\/ Death to the Stock Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Declutter your closet until the floor is completely clear.<\/h2>\n

This task is among the most daunting home staging tips for sellers, but anyone can clean a closet if they put their mind to it. Buyers will open up every door in the house, so organizing your closets like a showroom<\/a> can pay off.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll advise that a seller clear the floor space out completely, neatly fold and stack things on shelves\u2014in my opinion, things can go all the way to the ceiling if they have to,\u201d said Fudge. \u201cJust not necessarily looking like the space is completely full, so that a buyer doesn\u2019t feel like the person that\u2019s living there is busting at the seams.\u201d<\/p>\n

A closet organizing system (like this freestanding closet storage kit<\/a> or this wall-mounted organizer<\/a> from Home Depot) can be a lifesaver when it comes to getting your closet floor 100% clear. In addition, replace any clear storage containers in your closet with opaque ones, like these bins from Lowe\u2019s<\/a>. This small swap can go a long way in reducing unappealing eye-clutter for your potential buyers.<\/p>\n

5. Use paint to refresh rather than replace where you can.<\/h2>\n

Buyers are turned off by even the most innocuous of eyesores. In some of these cases, you might be better off grabbing a can of paint from your local hardware store than going all out to replace otherwise functional items in your home.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s say you have a tired-looking front door,\u201d said Justin Riordan. \u201cPick a bright and fun paint color in a high gloss that coordinates with the rest of the paint on your house. First off, remove the screen door, store it in the garage… Second, paint the door. Third, replace the existing hardware with new easy-to-operate deadbolt and entry latch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Good as new, and you don\u2019t have to shell out cash for a brand new front door.<\/p>\n

Other areas where you might be able to get away with painting instead of replacing include:<\/p>\n