How to Stage Your House on a Budget
Category Advice
Yes! It is possible to stage your house within a tight budget! But where to start?
Here is our advice:
Less is more
If the first thing you see when you walk into your house is 'stuff'... You definitely need a decluttering.
Packing away clutter well in advance before your showings will not only take the pressure off of you later, but will also give your home some room to breathe. Storage that is packed full, and countertops filled with kitchenware or toiletries will only make your space look smaller.
Our top tip to keep in mind: only leave out what you would imagine seeing in a guest house or hotel.
Forget your taste
One of the most common things we see with sellers is the lack of consideration to the general viewer's taste for interior, and because you can't cater to everybody's design preferences - a blank slate is always the safest option!
Staging is not just about tidying your house to it's usual state. Buyers want to be able to imagine what their own life could look like in your home. Clean and modern is the most inclusive approach, so you might want to pack away any sentiments and decor that don't contribute to making the space attractive to the general eye.
Some practical tips: paint your walls a neutral colour, and replace kitschy decor with plants.
Be savvy with your staging
Shop your home! Other than a couple of extra pieces that are easy to pick up (such as luxury soaps, crisp towels and fresh flowers), most people already have all they need to stage a classy interior.
Make the best use of your accent pieces by putting them near desirable home features. For example - place your favourite cookbook into a holder on your kitchen counter, or put a plant nearby your fireplace. You don't want to draw attention to the less attractive elements of your home.
Extra advice: make sure all your curtains are wide open so your space looks bright and inviting; and make use of air-freshener to appeal to your viewers' senses.
Although you have the option to hire a professional to give your home decor a glow-up, sometimes it's just not in the budget; that doesn't mean you can't get your house buyer-ready on your own and ready to go!
Author: SAproperty.com
