Our guide to stunning DIY home staging
As the old saying goes, ‘you only get one chance to make a great first impression’, which is why it’s critical to invest in ensuring your property looks its best when it comes time to sell.
Creating that great first impression also often goes beyond just a quick tidy and undertaking any necessary repairs, and instead involves ‘staging’ your home in a way that’s inviting, appealing and a creates a welcoming space that buyers compete for to call home.
With that in mind, here are our top tips for stunning home staging…
Declutter
If you’re a fan of House & Garden or even ‘The Block’ you’ll have noticed there’s no place for endless nick knacks or wall-to-wall bric-a-brac in a well-presented property that’s on the market to sell.
In fact, long before you list your property it’s a great idea to go through each and every room and ruthlessly declutter.
The aim of the game here is to create an appealing yet neutral space where buyers can forge their own personal connection with the property.
Deep clean
As part of the decluttering process, you should give the property a really deep clean, including wiping down walls, and getting into those hidden nooks and crannies.
The cleaning process might also reveal some areas in need of attention, such as walls that need a fresh lick of paint, so this is a task best done well in advance of the sale.
Less is more
When it comes to staging, less is definitely more. The goal here is to create space and universal appeal. That means paring back the furniture to include carefully selected pieces that do not overwhelm the space.
While you’re arranging these items of furniture, also consider the flow of the property, ensuring things like couches and tables don’t create a sense of clutter or block access to areas.
Go neutral
There’s a rule of thumb in interior design called the 60-30-10 rule which applies to the colour palette of a chosen space.
This rule notes 60 per cent of the room should be a dominant colour, 30 per cent should be the secondary colour or texture and the last 10 per cent should be an accent.
In most instances, it’s also a good idea for that dominant colour to be neutral, while the secondary colour is complementary and the 10 per cent tone can be contrasting.
Not only does this rule apply to your walls, it also applies to furniture and soft furnishings like cushions as well.
Texture and aroma
People don’t just buy property based on their thoughts, but also what they feel, and staging it well is all about appealing to that emotional aspect.
That’s why it’s a great idea to cater to senses beyond what people see, via the use of aroma and also texture.
The little things
Finally, it’s the little things that help buyers forge an affinity with a property. This includes the final touches such as neatly arranged cushions, a well-positioned vase of flowers, a nice bright fruit bowl and some subtle but effective artwork.
Each of these items adds up to create a ‘vibe’ that buyers potentially connect to, allowing your property to stand out from the crow and ultimately, command the best possible price.
Go with the pro’s
If all of the above sounds a little overwhelming, your agent can assist you with tips on how to prepare the property for sale, including the contact details for professional staging.
And make no mistake, while staging might seem like an outlay, it can also be a very real investment that helps your property not only sell quickly but for a higher price.
How we can help
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