Staging your Home on a Budget

Stores and restaurants know how to make people want to buy: the right presentation sparks imagination and desire. It’s why the front of a restaurant shows a set table in candlelight, and why store windows use eye-catching design elements and little scenes as background. These tricks create emotional connection between customers and things for sale.

Home staging works the same way, making a house for sale visually attractive and sparking the buyers’ imaginations. It’s especially important in the rooms where daily life happens, such as living rooms and other shared spaces. The goal is prospective buyers saying, “We could host everyone for the holidays so easily here!” or “Imagine relaxing in front of this fireplace. The dogs would love it, too!” There are some basic good ideas to follow in your living room staging, but also specific tricks to make it look its best.

Three “big picture” (and budget conscious) ideas to keep in mind are:

• Declutter: You need an open, spacious look, so emphasize the house’s features and lifestyle with minimal décor. Surfaces should be clean, shelves partially filled, and furniture kept to a few pieces. Accessories should make a statement, not fill space.

Click the link to read the rest of this great article on home staging