Home Staging: Why it’s Important and Why You Might Need Help

If you are getting ready to sell your home and you don't consider staging, you are very likely leaving money on the table. Sorry, but it's true. However much you love your home decor, there is always something that needs a little, or a lot, of editing before you list. Your real estate agent should absolutely talk to you honestly about how important home staging is [see my previous blog: Selling Your Home? Honest Conversation for more about this].

So, to help you get started, here is everything you need to know about staging and how I can help.

Jump Right In: Shop my Amazon Staging Picks!

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Selling your home is a big deal and like most things, there is a process. One of the most important parts of this process is home staging.

Home staging prepares your home for potential buyers by transforming it from cluttered and outdated to simple & organized with stylish decor. The main goal of staging is to get potential buyers to see themselves living in the home, rather than being distracted by an abundance of personal items or excess clutter.

It can be hard for a buyer to see themselves living in the home if you have a huge gallery wall of personal photos in your gorgeous foyer, for example, or if you have unnecessarily large furniture items in a room with beautiful windows. Yes, it may be difficult for you to make these changes while you are still living in your home, but remember: you’re moving! So you should begin detaching from this home and start getting excited about your new home.

You want potential buyers to see the beauty of your home's architectural features and natural surroundings, not be distracted by your clutter.

This is where having a good real estate agent comes in handy. If your agent is not stressing the importance of home staging AND helping you every step of the way, you may be working with the wrong one. Read more about what you should expect from a good listing agent in Part 1: Selling Your Home? What You Should Expect From Your Listing Agent.

So what’s the process?

The main goal of home staging is to prepare your home for listing photos and for the potential buyers to tour your home. When thinking about staging your home, you can either do it yourself or hire a professional.

If you do it yourself, it’s a good idea to focus on removing knick-knacks, most family photos, evidence of pets, fridge magnets, etc. The space should feel open and free of clutter. THE NAME OF THE GAME IS SIMPLIFY. If you have a more eclectic style when it comes to color choices, it might be worth your while to also inject some neutrality into your home - BUT don't get rid of your home's personality completely! I'm a big fan of homes with character; just be sure that the potential buyers can see the features of your home.

However, if you decide to work with a professional, they can make the process much easier.

Should I work with a staging professional?

Your real estate agent should be able to let you know if working with a staging company is the best option. They may even be able to recommend some pros or lend a hand to help you stage themselves. In Part 2: Selling Your Home? Honest Conversation, I briefly discuss the importance of the condition of your home and the way that it should be presented to potential buyers.

Since 2016, I have helped countless sellers simplify and stage their homes for sale. Editing personal decor choices and updating light fixtures to add a more modern touch are just a few of the simple [and affordable] things you can do to transform a space.

According to Home Advisor, professional home staging costs average from about $752 - $2,837, but of course this cost varies depending on your home. Most professional stagers who bring in new furniture & accessories charge a monthly rate for staging, where the first month is usually the highest cost and then subsequent months decrease. Ideally, you will only need the staging for one month! In most circumstances, the seller pays for the costs of the staging company, but when you list your home with Stacy Ward, we cover the cost of your home staging.

Editing personal decor choices and updating light fixtures to add a more modern touch are just a few of the simple [and affordable] things you can do to transform a space.

Keep reading to see my simple design picks for a staged home.

STAGE YOUR HOME WITH MY AMAZON PICKS

Try these items in your main living spaces, focusing on your entryway, family room, & kitchen - typically these are the areas that potential buyers spend most of their time. Bonus points for staging your primary bedroom!

Click each image to shop!

Woven Storage Basket.

Throw some extra pillows or blankets in here, and use it to block ugly wires or plugs. Pro tip: Hide your kids' toys at the bottom of the basket, under a stylish throw blanket.

White Ceramic Vase.

These are great on a mantel or shelf, BUT ALWAYS check the size before you order online; they are often much smaller than they appear!

Artificial Eucalyptus Green Branches.

Place these greens in the vase above, but keep in mind real eucalyptus is always a great option if you can find it, because you can keep the stems forever, even after they die and they look just as great in my opinion.

Storage Glass Jar Set.

Use these on your kitchen or bathroom counter.

These are my absolute favorite... so versatile!

Rattan Round Serving Tray.

Create a vignette of books on your coffee table, place under a candle or small plant to give dimension, or place on your center island or kitchen table. Again, ALWAYS check the size before you order online!

Arched Mirror.

So versatile! Use this mirror on a mantel, leaning on a table in your entryway, or on a dresser, or choose the full-body length mirror for a bedroom or foyer.

I've staged several homes with this exact mirror. See below!

Decor Odds & Ends

These are all simple + affordable swaps that make a big impact!

Throw pillows. Use on beds, sofas & chairs.

*These are all pillow covers. Don't forget to order the inserts and be sure to check the size! Size down one step from your inserts to get a nice, fluffy look. So for example, if your inserts are 20x20, your cover should be 18x18. Inserts that are 22x22 should have a 20x20 cover.

Rugs. Blue & natural is the name of the game - it just looks great in every space [just make sure your walls are neutral]. You can even place a stylish rug on top of an ugly carpet for bonus points! Pro tip: Opt for an indoor/outdoor rug for your staging spaces with the exception of bedrooms.

Love this one for kitchen/dining or entryway.

I think I've purchased this rug for every single house I've ever owned and staged. See below from my most recent home:

I'm convinced this is the best foyer rug. EVER.

More of a traditional look and not indoor/outdoor, but nice for a bedroom or living room.

I have staged several homes using this rug, and it's definitely one of my favorites. See below!

Every single item you see in this photo was purchased from Amazon for staging.

Bedding. White is always a safe choice, but soft neutrals work also. Remember, you can simply cover your existing bedspread with a new duvet cover to save $$. And don't forget to layer for added interest!

I love this waffle knit duvet; it's great for layering!

This "linen-look" cotton says elevated, especially when paired with different textures.

I love the gauze/muslin-type fabric and used this duvet when I staged my own house. See below!

*Grab this (budget) or this (splurge) duvet insert for a soft, fluffy look.

Cabinet Hardware. Swap out handles & knobs in your kitchen and baths. This simple touch makes a BIG impact on the overall look of your space and really elevates the design.

I prefer the look of the elongated, "roundish-square" handles (like the three above), as opposed to some of the other shapes available. I just think they look more custom. Don't forget to measure!

Please avoid this style handle at all costs:

It's just done TOO MUCH!!! Thank you :)

Kitchen Sink Faucets. Another low cost, big-impact swap. Coordinate your new faucet with your new cabinet hardware, or mix & match finishes, but be sure to make it intentional. There are three main styles in my opinion: modern/simple, commercial, and bridge style, so here are options from each category.

This one comes in many finishes from many manufacturers.

*If you choose a brushed gold or champagne kitchen or bath faucet, you might want to consider choosing a completely different finish for your cabinet & drawer pulls, because there are SO MANY variations in gold finishes and you don't want the finishes to unintentionally clash. The other option is choosing the faucet and cabinet pulls from the same manufacturer or brand, or purchasing these in store.

I own a much pricier version of this faucet, but this one has excellent reviews and a great price.

Lighting

This may be the NUMBER ONE thing you can do to refresh & modernize your home. Below are just a few affordable lighting options, but check out this or this blog for many, MANY more options.

PLEASE replace the "boob lights"!!!

Simple and classic for dining or kitchen.

Elevate your kitchen with pendants like this.

I can't believe the price! So much better than builder grade.

The Black Friday deal on this one is amazing!!! I purchased this exact fixture to stage my last home for sale and paid $700! See pic below:

I am actually in love with this fixture and may need to buy it again.

There's actually tons more that I can recommend for staging your home to sell (or just to look good), but I'll save that for another blog. Get in touch with all your staging & design questions: stacy@stacywardhome.com

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