Staging a home for potential buyers is exciting and makes the most out of a house. It’s also great for encouraging potential buyers. If homeowners want to sell their homes twice as fast, they can use these 15 staging tips.

How Should You Decorate?

You should do all staging with potential buyers in mind. Sellers can create a unique and welcoming environment with a few tricks.

1. Add Greenery

House plants are popular, but they also have unique benefits a seller can take advantage of. Greenery increases happiness and enhances memory, meaning prospective buyers are more likely to view a home positively and remember that good experience.

2. Utilize Wall and Ceiling Space

Large walls are great spaces to hang things. Ceilings are also excellent because they can draw the buyers’ eyes upwards and break up their line of sight. Wall art, hanging plants and decorative lighting fixtures can capitalize on space.

3. Focus on First Impressions

The front yard is the first thing people see during a showing, so it should be staged appropriately. Florida has the benefit of staying relatively warm all year, so landscaping should be relatively easy. Set out planters or small benches to make the space look nice.

4. Use Neutral Tones

A homeowner should keep neutral tones in as many areas as possible because everyone will have different design opinions and color preferences. They also let potential buyers visualize what they’d like to do with the space, which may increase their willingness to purchase.

5. Leave It up to Imagination

Ensure you keep decorations simple and tasteful. Setting the scene to an extent is vital, but there should still be space to let buyers visualize. For example, a coffee mug and a small plate on a kitchen island suggest it could be used to eat without making that its only purpose.

6. Add Touches of Color

While it’s important to keep things neutral so people can imagine themselves in the space, having touches of color can positively impact their perception. Cool colors can make them feel comfortable, while warm colors may encourage socialization. Small, colorful objects are great for inspiring certain emotions.

What Should You Keep? 

There are some things in a home you should stage around and keep relatively the same. These things should stand out to bring value and increase attractiveness.

1. Highlight Special Features

Homeowners can draw attention to unique features like arched doorways, large windows or covered lanais to increase their home's appeal. For example, you should remove rugs from hardwood floors to emphasize them.

2. Show Off Natural Lighting

Natural lighting is a big draw for many because it brightens the home and gives a great view. It also generally increases happiness and positive emotions, which can encourage buyers to enjoy the space more. You can increase this effect by having brightly colored walls, hanging mirrors or laying out a light rug to reflect the light throughout the room.

What Should You Change?

When deciding how to stage a home, it’s essential to be mindful of every way people can interact with it. They’re more likely to create memorable experiences if your approach covers each of their senses.

1. Depersonalize Your Space

One of the last things buyers want to see when they walk into their potential future home is reminders of the current residents. They’re there to imagine their life in that space, so family pictures, trinkets and decorations should go into storage.

2. Declutter

While decorations can improve a space, you need to remove as much clutter as possible because it can increase tension and take the focus off more important aspects of the home. Storage space is also valuable, so you should maximize what you have by clearing it. Organized spaces look and feel better, so it’s essential to ensure any extra objects are away during staging.

3. Designate an Office

While many homes won’t have a dedicated office space by default, staging one might be worth it because 45% of people work remotely for at least some of their work week. The homeowner could decorate a guest bedroom or little nook as an office to appeal to remote workers.

4. Change the Temperature

Florida’s weather can get hot and humid — especially in summer — so homeowners must set a comfortable temperature. The ideal is around 70° Fahrenheit because going too much lower or higher creates a negative physical and emotional response. Buyers are more likely to enjoy their experience if they feel comfortable.

5. Clean Absolutely Everything

You should clean absolutely everything during staging. Florida homes often get covered in get algae or mildew — the green stuff on siding — because of high temperatures and humid weather. It should be power washed or scrubbed off to make the best impression.

6. Limit Neighborhood Noise

Properties in noisy neighborhoods have a 3.1% lower value than homes in quieter places because it’s unpleasant and makes buyers uneasy about purchasing. Sellers can place door draft stoppers, keep windows closed or play soft music to limit the amount of outside sound that gets in.

7. Make Things Smell Nice

Nice smells attach to positive memories and emotions, meaning a buyer is likelier to remember a home if it smells nice. They can also subconsciously influence people to associate it with their positive mood. You can bake cookies, put out a bowl of lemons or light a mild candle to get your space smelling great.

Home Staging Tips Can Sell Your Home Quickly

Plenty of things might slip the homeowner’s mind when they’re staging their home, so it’s beneficial to have tips on what to decorate, keep and change. With these 15 tips and a little effort, you’ll sell your home in no time.