So you want to sell your house? This can be a very overwhelming and stressful process. I’ve created this post with 10 simple, easy tips for staging a house on a budget!
One of the most important aspects of selling your home is home staging!
I am also including a FREE Printable home staging checklist! See below!
Home Staging
The market is HOT and you want your home to stand out. I’ve been there a few times and I remember the process well.
I was studying the market, the area, the prices, the competition – absolutely obsessing over everything! What I can say is that is very helpful for the you as the seller to be very knowledgeable about the market.
Almost equally important and what I believe to this day sold my most recent home was how it was staged!
Staging your home to sell
The person that bought our first home fell in love with the listing and photos before she ever even set foot into the house!
I worked day and night to stage our house – and at the end of it, it was so nice, I had to ask myself – why am I leaving this house?
Staging your home does not need to break the bank. I was all about staging a house on a budget!
Staging interior design
Most realtors today offer some sort of staging consultation. I have even heard of some realtors that provide furniture items for staging purposes so if you aren’t already working with a realtor, this is definitely something to consider as part of your interview process!
As far as staging your home goes… if you read nothing else, one key to selling is killing it on the home décor front!
I’ll further expand and tell you everything you need to know
Below are 10 tips broken into 3 categories from my own personal experience.
Staging a House On a Budget
Home Staging tips
In addition to my tips, I’ve linked many of the budget friendly products in my own home for you to use for your own home staging!
Purge & Pack
Before you do any staging, if you are like me, you will need to do what I call purge and pack.
Purge – get rid of stuff, as painful as moving is, it’s the one time that you realize the things you don’t need and can get rid of them. Pack – you want to make your house feel open and roomy so you likely will need to pack some of the clothes in your closet, certain items that make a room feel smaller and organize your cabinets – especially in the kitchen. People love to open kitchen cabinets.
I must admit that once I had done all of this, I had a desire to live like this all the time, stuff can be DRAINING!
From that point, on I have had a burning desire to create a minimalist home – see all my minimalistic tips for how you can do this too!
Staging Home Decor
This tip is actually a multi step tip and there are 7 key things to remember here. Some room specific that will make a difference in your staging!
- They say to remove all family/personal photos so that potential buyers can envision themselves living in your home
- Try to use neutral décor that isn’t too specific to a certain style. In general, use lamps to add height to console tables, dressers and desks.
Living Room Staging
- Stage your side tables, ottomans and console tables with framed art, home décor items, lamps, etc.
- Add a few patterned throw pillows to your couch and give it a magazine type look
- If you have kids like me, try to leave just a few toys out and put the rest out of sight
Staging A Kitchen
- Clear the counters, cabinet/refrigerator tops, magnets etc.
- Stage with decorative accessories adding interest and pops of color. You can use fancy glass bottled water for example.
- Place flowers in the center of the table
- Place a bowl of lemons in the center of an island if you have one
- Stage the breakfast bar if you have one with table settings
Related Kitchen Posts
Tips To Add Warmth To A White Kitchen
20 + Ideas for Kitchen Organization
Kitchen Pendant Lighting and Hardware Update
Dining Room Staging
- Use neutral textiles
- Set the table with a simple place setting
- Find a fabulous centerpiece
- The room also looks bigger without the dining room chairs
Bedroom Staging
- Place framed art or a mirror over dresser & bed
- Stage dresser with a faux plant and neutral décor
- Stage bed with throw pillows and blanket on the end of the bed
Bathroom Staging
- Remove all rugs and items on the floor.
- Clear all items from vanity, toilet top, tub surround and shower.
- Stowe everything you use daily in a closed cabinet.
- Stage with white towels and a faux floral on the counter top.
Exterior
- Remove your window screens (I have my front window screens removed in my current home)
- Make sure your flower beds are weeded and mulched
- Stage with a welcome mat, flower pots and a decorative wreath
3rd – CLEAN!
Who doesn’t love a clean home? This is a lot of work but you need to clean often. This includes putting everything away! You need to vacuum, wipe down counters, dust, make sure the dishes are done, make the bed – you get the gist. You can also light a candle before a showing as well to make your home extra nice smelling! Other things you may need to consider are deep cleaning carpeting as needed and using a magic eraser to remove scuffs on walls/doors.
Benefits of home staging
Phew! That was a lot, I’m tired… staging a house is a lot of work but it is necessary and will pay off in getting you top dollar for your home! Also, everything you are doing is actually helping you prepare for the big moving day too!
For more on the benefits of home staging, check out this post by The Group Inc.
Home staging checklist
As promised, here is my free printable checklist for you to have to reference as you stage your house!
I’d love to hear which part of the home sale process you are in, how staging/selling is going and the good news once you successfully stage and sell your home!
Please visit my contact page and let me know your thoughts and if you have any questions. I would love to hear from you! Please also share this post and checklist with others that are in the stage/move process too!