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How to stage a property for sale
 

1.   Cleaning is the most important thing, not just an ordinary cleaning, but a proper one: spring 
cleaning, windows, corners, floor shine, furniture and professional cleaning of the carpets and rugs.

2.   If the property has been occupied it will need decluttering: removal of all unnecessary furniture and objects 
from all rooms and surfaces; organisation and tidying (including cupboards and wardrobes). You may need to store stuff somewhere else temporarily. The appearance of the property should be airy, bright, clean, tidy and well organised.
 
3.  Repairing all damage, squeaking floors and doors, worn surfaces, damaged counter tops, broken tiles etc. This will prevent buyers from trying to reduce the property price. 

4.   Paint the rooms, doors, and windows if necessary. Repainting is one of the best investments for selling a property and can increase the price considerably if done correctly. Consider painting rooms with neutral colours and lighter shades, even children’s rooms. No unicorn rainbows or bright pinks and avoid anything overwhelming in terms of colour, pattern and quirky decorations. They may not be to everyone’s tast. When selling, a property should appeal to ordinary buyers.

5.   Try to put together a scheme throughout the whole house, one that makes it more stylish.


Below is a neutral colour scheme from Leyland which shows very good colours for home staging... 


 
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6.   Furnishing: 90% of buyers prefer to see furnished properties that they can imagine living in. However, this doesn’t mean using any furniture. Remove outdated, worn or heavy pieces and replace with lighter, more attractive ones that do not take up a lot of space and which improve the overall appearance. DIY and shabby pieces are nice, but are not always suitable for a property on sale. The room should not be crowded with furniture as this would make it appear much smaller. Airy rooms appear bigger. On the other hand find a use for all the empty nooks, corners and dead spaces. Keep in mind the function of every room and furnish appropriately!

7.   If the property is unfurnished, consider renting furniture. However, you will need to calculate if it worthwhile. You can rent furniture and accessories in a package for a 1-3 bedroom property for 1-3 months. The price is reasonable but not cheap. It is worth hiring furniture if the value of the property is on the higher side and if it is in  good condition. 
8.   Lighting is very important! If possible, take photographs for the sale on a sunny day. If this is 
not possible, just light the property well. 
Change outdated lamps for more stylish ones and replace the bulbs with strong daylight types. You can also use local lamps to make rooms more atmospheric.
9.   Decoration and accessories - decoration should be striking and unique. If everything is too neutral the room could appear boring and impersonal. Rooms need to be atmospheric and lively. After considering all the advantages and disadvantages of a property, buyers choose emotionally. Buyers often say that they're not sure why they like a property, it just feels right when they're in it. 
  So how do you get this result? Give the room some splash of colour, texture and pattern with furnishing and accessories. Feature walls, cushions, throws, a striking artwork.... The rule: nothing should be overwhelming or cloying.
 
10.   Outdoor (entrance, porch, patio, garden): - when buyers go for viewing the first thing they see is the front of the property and the first impression is very important. The entrance, porch, patio and garden all constitute outdoor space. Repair and paint the entrance door and the outside of the windows. Tidy the space, put away all the unnecessary objects, like tools, children toys. Weed the garden. A nice potted plant arrangement either side of the door is very inviting. A well-maintained garden with flower baskets shows that the property has been loved and cared for and is worth buying. 
 
11.  For the viewing - make sure you have done all of the above. Also make sure that every room smells nice. Air the rooms well and use aroma candles or air fresheners if necessary. Leave the doors open for the viewer so they can walk around freely.



FAQs

Do I need rugs for staging?
Rugs make rooms cosier and more homely. However, if you have a feature floor it is sometimes better not to hide it with a rug.

Do I need to put up curtains?
If the scenery is attractive it is not necessary to put up curtains at all. If the scenery is unappealing, a well-made voile is the best choice, but always allow for as much natural light in as you can. Heavy curtains can be pulled aside – make rooms bright.

What about paintings and other accessories?
A few well-placed, striking artworks are a good option to make a room that little bit more attractive. Healthy plants, flowers and fruit bowls give a lively finishing touch for any decorations – don’t forget to use them if you have them. 

 
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