Top 5 DIY Home Staging Tips for a Fast Sale

When You Just Can't Afford to Hire a Professional Home Stager

Nov 18, 2009 Theresa Borsman

Home staging is crucial when you need to sell your home quickly. If you can't afford to hire a professional, consider doing it yourself with these five proven techniques.

Home staging, the process of making your home cozy and inviting, is crucial when you need to sell your home quickly. Although there are many benefits to hiring a staging professional to come in and revamp your home, you can tackle the basics yourself.

Here's a list of the top five DIY home staging techniques you can use to secure a fast sale...

DIY home staging trick #1: Consult with a home staging expert

So this one's a bit of a cheat. But if you can afford to spend between $100 and $200 on a consultation with a home staging professional, it's a really good idea. A professional stager will be able to quickly assess your home to tell you where to invest your time and energy for the greatest possible return – and the biggest "wow" factor.

Once you've got a list of priorities, by all means, carry out the list yourself to save money on what a professional would charge you.

DIY home staging trick #2: Create "curb appeal"

Curb appeal is what attracts buyers when they first drive up to your home. A house with curb appeal grabs your buyers by the eyeballs and invites them to explore inside.

It goes without saying your lawn and gardens should be neatly trimmed and free of weeds or leaves. But did you know that the sprawling tree hiding your home from view can be a turnoff to buyers? You might love the privacy it provides, but giving it a good trim or removing it entirely makes your house stand out.

(Plus there will be more light streaming into your windows making the interior seem more spacious and inviting.)

Power wash paths and the exterior of your home. And if it the paint is chipped or the colour garish, invest in a fresh coat of paint.

Painting your door a bright colour like red makes your house stand out from your neighbours, particularly if you live in a "cookie-cutter" neighbourhood. A few potted plants leading up to the driveway can take your entrance to the next level, while a small table and chairs on a front porch conjures up images of relaxation and entertaining on summer evenings.

DIY home staging trick #3: Make a grand entrance

The entryway of a home, while being the smallest area, is also one of the most important. Like it or not, first impressions count. A negative impression inside the front door will follow your prospective buyers as they move through the rest of your house, influencing their perceptions.

A small foyer doesn't need to look cramped. A fresh coat of paint in a light neutral colour will visually enlarge the space and appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers. A mirror positioned at eye level reflects light, making the room look bigger.

Clear out the shoe racks and kids' backpacks to create a quiet and serene environment. If you can fit a small curio table with a decorative display item such as an orchid or dish for keys, go ahead and put one in. Skip this home staging technique if the space is so small buyers will be tripping over it as they enter, however.

DIY home staging trick #4: Create a blank canvas

Neutralizing a space is top of the list of home staging techniques. Paint colours, furniture, and surfaces free of personal items create a blank canvas for your potential buyers.

Light neutral colours will match more buyers' furniture, so they'll be able to imagine themselves moving in right away and making themselves at home – without having to do a bunch of work. Plus, these make your home look warmer and brighter.

DIY home staging trick #5: Evoke an emotional response

So you've created a wonderful blank slate for your viewers so they can easily imagine their worldly possessions in your home. But you CAN take neutralizing too far! A completely impersonal space will leave your buyers cold.

But with a few well-chosen home staging tips, you can spark your buyers' imagination and make them fall in love with your home.

Light a fire (or candles in summer) in the hearth so buyers can imagine cozying up on chilly winter evenings. Place a coffee tray and decorative pillows on the master bed to conjure up images of a luxuriously breakfast in bed. Votive candles flickering beside a soaker tub with aromatherapy jars whispers relaxation.

Set your dining room table with place settings that speak to entertaining with friends. Create a cozy reading nook or intimate seating area. These little touches still appeal to a broad range of buyers, but in an emotional way.

There you have the top 5 DIY home staging tips you can use to sell your home quickly.

The copyright of the article Top 5 DIY Home Staging Tips for a Fast Sale in Interior Decorating is owned by Theresa Borsman. Permission to republish Top 5 DIY Home Staging Tips for a Fast Sale in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Home staging for a fast home sale