Eye-Catching Interiors

Rental Home Makeover

Staging to Sell

Five Rules for Successful Staging

While there are many principles underlying effective home staging, here are five primary rules that should be followed. Because each begins with a letter that spells “décor”, they’re easy to remember:

D e-clutter, especially countertops and bookcases. Too much stuff distracts the buyer and makes interior spaces seem smaller.

E liminate personal momentos (e.g., your son’s graduation photo, your golfing trophy). Buyers need to visualize themselves living in your home.

C lean relentlessly. Especially important are the kitchen and bathrooms.

O pen all the window treatments. Most real estate showings occur during the day, so maximize the natural light in your interior. And leave on table and floor lamps.

R e-paint walls in a neutral shade. Avoid white because it’s too harsh. Colors reminiscent of cream, beach sand, or a pale yellow are preferable. Fresh paint isn’t expensive and can make a big visual impact.

Last updated: December 12, 2008