Staging your home is arguably the number one tool in achieving a quick sale at the price you hoped for.  In fact, according to Zoopla, 53% of the sellers they surveyed said that they would have sold their house for more if they had taken the time to stage it. 

Of course, your house is more than a house – it's your HOME – but when you’re ready to sell up, it pays to take a step back from the emotion surrounding your abode and think about how potential buyers will look at it.

CREATE A SNAGGING LIST Firstly, create a snagging of all those jobs around the house that you’ve been meaning to get sorted, and get them done.  These are usually the inexpensive things that you haven’t done because you’ve lived with them for so long you no longer notice them – think scuffed skirting boards, a light fitting without a shade, or a cracked bathroom tile.   

Next, take the time to imagine who your TARGET AUDIENCE is likely to be.  Will your house attract first-time buyers, a family, or buyers ready to downsize?   What attracted you to the house when you bought it?  Do your research and make your home as appealing as possible to your target buyer. 

Don’t underestimate the QUICK FIX.  If you’ve got an imminent viewing and you need your house to look sharp in a hurry, you can fake it to make it.  De-clutter the surfaces, make sure you’ve got as much light coming into the house as possible, spritz some room spray, and chuck an expensive looking throw over any slightly dog-eared furniture – all these little details go a long way in achieving the very best first impression. 

There’s a whole heap of helpful tips on creating a perfectly staged house, so stay tuned for our room-by-room guide on how to show your house in its prime. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

The old saying goes ‘never judge a book by its cover’, but when it comes to selling your house, first impressions count for everything.  People tend to make up their minds about whether they like a property in the first few minutes, and once they have had an emotional response it’s difficult to reverse their opinion. 

Nothing says ‘welcome to your next home’ like an inviting front door, so make sure it’s freshly painted (stick with classic colours), sweep the doorstep, polish the doorknob and give your potential buyers every reason to want to enter this enticing new lifestyle. 

The whole exterior is an asset that shouldn't be overlooked when staging your house. Many people will do a drive-by before deciding to view a house, so it’s equally important to neatly stash away your bins, trim any hedges and give your window cleaner a call.  

Outdoor space of any size can add value to your property, so even the smallest space can benefit from a few plant pots or window boxes to add an inviting splash of colour. 

Finally, opening the door onto a neat and well-presented hallway is the icing on your first impressions cake. Try and store away shoes and coats, hang a mirror to give the impression of space and add some character with paintings or plants.   

A strong start to a house viewing is vital in setting the tone for the rest of the tour.  It can elevate the amount buyers think the house is worth and can give them a glimpse of a life they want to lead.

KITCHEN CONFIDENCE

If there is any room that is guaranteed to sell a house, it’s the kitchen. The heart of the home and the place we arguably start and finish every day in, a beautiful kitchen is THE most important room to focus on when staging your home ready for a potential sale, and the good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune in the process. 

Get those Marigolds on because it’s time to get cleaning. A spotless kitchen is a sign to any potential buyer that you have a well-maintained home, so you want your kitchen to be sparkling.  Not only will you need to scrub your hob, the fridge, and your surfaces, you’ll also need to make sure your cupboards are well organised  and that you have decluttered your countertops to maximise the impression of plentiful storage. 

It’s also time to let go and depersonalise your kitchen. Take a deep breath and take down your kids' artwork and the fridge magnets you’ve accumulated over the years. You know what we mean – buyers need to imagine themselves in the space, and that means getting rid of a little bit of you (sob).  

If your kitchen is a little on the tired side but you understandably don’t want to replace it, try to style it up a bit. Old units can be freshened up with new handles, put a fresh coat of paint on the walls, buy some fancy looking soap for next to the sink and ditch old tea towels for crisp new ones. You can even add pops of colour with a simple bowl of polished green apples, a few herbs, or a cookbook open on a stand.   

The kitchen is the ultimate hang-out in the home, so if you spend some time getting this room right, you’re guaranteed to cook up a sale. 

LIVING IT UP Ahhhhhh, there’s no better place to relax at the end of the day than your living room, the ultimate retreat where you can kick off your shoes and unwind.  Like a comfy slipper, your living room is the place you can truly be you. But when it comes to selling your house, it might be time swap the slippers for some serious style and put your house on the front row. 

It’s all in the details when staging your living room ready for sale, so take a step back and have a good look at what needs to be done. 

It’s a good idea to start with your walls. Keep your walls neutral and stick to classic paint colours. Do a stock take on your artwork – again, neutrality is key here, so remove any family photographs and stick with some focal points like paintings, prints or mirrors (which will give the impression of space too). 

Take a look at your sofa - if it’s seen better days it might be worth investing in a new one that you can take with you, or, if the budget won’t stretch, then adding some new cushions or throws will give it an instant update. 

Now for the floors. A living room is likely to be one of the most well-trodden spaces in the house, so give your carpet or rugs a good clean, which will freshen things up and eliminate any lingering smells. 

You’ll also want to create the perfect ambience, and lighting is an easy way to do this. Turn off as many overhead lights as possible and create a cosy feel with lamps. 

Finally, a few finishing touches will allow potential purchasers to buy into a lifestyle.  Think candles, flowers, coffee table books, a few key pieces arranged on your shelves, and maybe even some ambient background music. 

Your living room really does set a certain standard of living, so by making these small upgrades, you could undoubtedly create a living space that anyone would want to buy into.