Staging is all about preparation and presentation, with the goal of selling a house more quickly and obtaining a higher market value. Staging is a technique used to highlight your home’s strengths, downplay its weaknesses and appeal to the greatest pool of prospective buyers. Set the stage for success with these 10 tips for styling and upgrading your home and see results – fast!
1. Boost Curb Appeal
It’s important to make a good first impression so why not have potential buyers fall in love from the street. Refresh or replace your mailbox and hang 
easy to read house numbers. Power wash siding and walkways. Mow the lawn, and reseed or add fresh sod as needed. Plant flowers, add greenery and bark as needed. Wash front windows. Repaint or stain the front door and replace the hardware. Place a pot with flowers and add a welcome mat.
2. Clear all Clutter
Since you’re selling square footage removing all clutter will make the spaces seem larger. Clean and clear surfaces, floors, cupboards and closets equal more space in the eyes of potential buyers, so purge anything unnecessary or unsightly.
3. Make it Sparkle
Detail out your home like you would your car if you were going to sell it. From shining floors and gleaming windows to clean counters and scrubbed grout, every surface should sparkle. You may want to hire pros to do some of the really tough stuff, especially if you have a large house. Don’t skimp — this step is key!
4. Fresh Coat of Paint
This will have the most impact and will give you the biggest bang for the buck when preparing your home. A fresh neutral color will tone down any dated finishes and make the space appear larger. To take the guess work out of selecting a color here are the 8 Best Benjamin Moore Colors for Staging Your Home .
5. Furnishings
In staging less is more so remove excess and large, bulky furniture. Furnish each room to create a nice flow and to show how functional the space is. Pull furniture off the walls and use pairs (of sofas, chairs, lamps) to create an inviting conversation area. Remove area rugs. Choose neutral colors to create a sophisticated backdrop that makes everything look more pulled together. Add pops of color to create interest. 
6. Light it Up
One of the things that make staged homes look so warm and inviting is great lighting. Buyers love light and airy spaces so make sure you have all the benefit of natural light by letting the sunshine in. Remove heavy drapes and make sure all blinds are up for showings. Add table and floor lamps and make sure they’re turned on for showings.
7. Artwork, Accessories and Plants
Adding original artwork, photography and colorful prints add color, vibrancy and character into a room and create a focal point. Adding pops of color and texture with decorative accessories make rooms look more interesting and “pulled together”. Live plants, flowers and orchids add a sense of freshness and natural beauty to the spaces.
8. Serene and Inviting
Think spa or resort like bathrooms and bedrooms and especially the master 
bedroom. Create a relaxing space – one that potential buyers will want to spend time in – with luxurious bedding, soft colors and plush Egyptian cotton towels. Add spa bath products and a fluffy white bathrobe.
9. Closets and Storage
Buyers will peek inside your closets. Closet space can be a make-it-or-break-it selling point for buyers, so show yours off to their full advantage by eliminating excess stuff. Aim to have 20 to 30 percent open space in each closet to give the impression of spaciousness.
10. Stage Outdoor Living Areas
You’re not only selling a home your selling a lifestyle. So staging the outdoor living areas is as important as staging the interiors. Think ‘out door room’ and create inviting outdoor entertaining areas with places to dine and places to relax.
As an Accredited Staging Professional I love assisting our clients in preparing their home for sale. We work with the best Stagers in the business and can recommend the right one for your budget. It would be our honor to serve you!