One of the most important aspects of strategic home staging for a swift sale is to declutter. You must make rooms, closets and cabinets appear roomier. When I say declutter, I don’t mean “move everything to the garage. ” Believe it or not, with strategic home staging, even the tiniest spaces can look larger.
Lighten and brighten for Strategic Home Staging Wins
Dark rooms have a cave-like quality: small and cramped. They’re not appealing to home buyers. At all. Start with the easiest solution by adding more natural light by removing window coverings. If you’re living in the house, that can be difficult because you’ll have NO privacy. But it’s amazing how much more light it lets in and how much bigger it makes the rooms look. It especially gives a wow effect if the windows look out onto a yard or lovely view.
If natural lighting is not an option, opt for lamps spread around the room. These will draw the eyes around the space, making it seem larger. If the room is so small that it lacks the furniture to hold lamps, consider using floor lamps to lighten up dark corners. Replacing light bulbs with daylight LED bulbs or shop for lighting listed as “full spectrum.” That will send you in the right direction to add more “natural” light.
Sherwin Williams experts say that if the walls seem to be closer to you, it makes the room feel smaller. So gray walls would seem to be farther away, giving the impression of more space between you and the walls – making for a bigger feeling room. I want to see that for myself.
Paint is the easiest, cheapest, and most dramatic way to Strategic Home Staging Results
Paint will liven up a room immediately. In Country Living’s article: 10 Basement Paint Colors to Liven Up a Dark Room, they provide some color suggestions that you should take note of: Think neutral. When you’re selling, attracting the most home buyers is done with neutral colors. They don’t scream that the house belongs to you, and not them. It’s an open pallet for them to decorate the house in their minds as they walk through. If you have Strawberry Freeze by Benjamin Moore on the walls, you’re going to make some buyers run the other direction.
It used to be a “Bob Villa sin” to paint hardwood. “Oh, those beautiful wood tones… ” But if it’s the only way to lighten the house, consider it. Even dark panelling can be painted with a primer and then paint. If that’s hard for you to think about, remember this is about getting your house sold quickly. We’re not making suggestions for how to personalize the spaces.
Go for a color like Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore. A coat of Chantilly Lace will give your basement that all-white look with a little extra warmth. Remember, paint is the biggest bang for your buck.
Accessorize for the Perfect Addition to New Paint
Choose accessories carefully. Strategic home staging is not about putting a bunch of random tchotchkies around the house. Too many accessories make a small space look cluttered and smaller than it already is. You’ll need to be ruthless when editing the room of excess accessories. A really good approach would be to remove everything and then only add a few things back into the room.
When it comes to artwork, hang the largest, most interesting and colorful piece on the wall furthest from the door. “By drawing the eye to a distant spot that has a striking visual element, you expand the perceived depth of field,” Jeffrey Blum of SixZero6 Design says. “It gives the space a way-over-there feeling.”
Another trick with photographs and artwork is to hang them lower than you normally would. “It gives the impression of a taller ceiling,” according to the experts.
Also opt for one large piece of art or a wall accent instead of a gallery wall of smaller items.
Room Layout is a No-Cost Solution
A no-cost tip is to take a look at your furniture and its placement. Too much furniture and overly large and heavy furniture will make a small room feel cramped. Even smaller furniture won’t work if it’s not placed strategically. Pull the sofa out so that it’s 3 to 4 inches from the wall. “Leaving space creates the illusion a wall is further away than it actually is,” suggests Amara designers.
Tall bookcases or shelves hung all the way to the ceiling also create an illusion of more room by emphasizing the vertical space. “Higher placement of design features helps create the feeling of volume in the room,” according to Houzz contributor Neila Deen.
Place mirrors on dark walls that don’t get much natural light. Placing mirrors in strategic locations is one of my favorite tips. It’s fast and easy. Mirrors reflect light throughout the room – especially if you put it directly across from a window. Mirrors also bring an added touch of design. Use a thin, metal framed mirror that doesn’t take up “visual” space. Not only do mirrors add light but they will make a room feel larger
Declutter and declutter some more
The tip about taking everything out of a room and putting items back one by one is a great way to declutter. Clutter makes rooms feel small and possibly darker as well. Consider categorizing items into essentials, non-essentials, and items that can be stored elsewhere during the marketing and sale. Keep only the pieces that enhance the appeal of each room, contributing to a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
In the process of decluttering, consider donating or selling items that are in good condition but no longer serve a purpose in your home. This not only reduces the number of belongings in your space but also contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to decluttering.
In conclusion, the key to successful decluttering is a thoughtful and intentional approach. By selectively curating the items in each room and creating a sense of openness, you not only enhance the visual appeal of your home but also provide potential buyers with a clear canvas to envision their own lifestyle in the space.
The objective is to create a harmonious and spacious environment that allows potential buyers to focus on the beauty of your home, not the distractions of excess belongings.
If you’re considering selling, contact us today. We can help!