As a seasoned home stager in Denver and its surrounding communities, I often get asked a lot of questions about home staging and design services. In this post, I outline all of the commonly asked questions and my responses!
When I was in my early 20s I staged my own personal home to sell. Much of it was driven solely by intuition and what I thought would appeal to a buyer. While I nailed that sale and sold my home quickly (and for thousands of dollars above the asking price), I’ve learned a great deal along the way.
Here’s a few things that I’ve learned that are also commonly what my home staging clients in Denver ask me!
Which improvements sell a home the quickest?
I find that things like paint and updating the flooring help sell homes the quickest. Painting can instantly transform a space, especially if you paint the space a more neutral color. I always recommend to paint the entire home the same color, because it feels like a blank space that’s just ready for buyers to move right in.
Flooring is also something that can dramatically change a space. Adding hardwood floors throughout the entire home can make a home feel brand new. It’s also something that home buyers don’t often want to deal with. Making a home move-in ready is key!
What diy projects can I do to increase the value of the home?
I would always focus on the landscaping, which is a perfect diy opportunity. Many times this is something you can improve without needing to hire a professional. You can often trim bushes or shrubs yourself with some clippers. You can also plant flowers prior to listing your house to illuminate the space,
Depending how handy you are and what your skill set is, another diy trick might be to paint the kitchen cabinets white and swap out the cabinetry hardware to something modern. This will brighten up a space and make it feel much more inviting. Just be sure you know what you’re doing. Painting over wood cabinets are not for the faint of heart.
Are there any certain styles or staging decor that sells better?
First, I would take a look at the home’s architectural design. You want to try and stay within that style. For example, if you have a super modern home with clean lines, I would steer clear of adding more traditional pieces and decor. Someone who wants to buy a very modern style home most likely also envisions their interior style as something more modern too.
The style that I use the most in homes is a mixture of traditional and contemporary. It’s a style that generally appeals to most everyone.
Should I stage my closets too?
Yes. Closet space is something that is often very important to potential buyers. Most people have a lot of stuff and storage is top on their list when looking for a home. I advise my clients to store anything that’s not important somewhere off-site or tucked away in an attic. That includes storing away any seasonal clothing items. You want your closets to look as spacious and organized as possible.
Is it necessary to stage my child’s bedroom or make it a neutral space?
Children’s spaces are often areas that potential buyers can overlook. There’s sort of an understanding that kids have a challenging time with change, so keeping their room the same is understandable. So, if your child’s room is painted pink with butterflies on the wall, I think it’s ok to leave it as is. My only suggestion is to clear the clutter by removing toys from the floor and reducing the amount of things you have in this space by storing them away. Try to make the area at least tidy and clean, which makes it a bit easier to overlook the personalized touches.
If I could only focus on home staging one room of the house, what would that be?
That’s a difficult question, but my home staging suggestions are always the kitchen and the bathrooms. Most people want these two areas to be the most updated. If you had a specific budget to remodel your home, this is where I would focus all of my attention. The living room, bedrooms, and other functional rooms can be updated with a bit of paint!
If you’re interested in more home staging tips from our Denver experts, feel free to reach out and ask me more questions!