How to make your home the belle of the ball – House Staging
Pretty Privilege is Real.
You don’t have to like it, but you can’t deny it. Looks matter. Pretty Privilege refers to the fact that humans who are seen as “pretty” or visually appealing, have a better time of it than those of us who might not fit the image of mainstream beauty.
“Body privilege or pretty privilege is a concept used to examine the economic, social, and political advantages or benefits that are made to both men and women solely based on their physical appearance.”
As unfair and as unfounded as this concept is when it comes to judgements from and about our fellow humans, we all do the same when it comes to objects and spaces.
Don’t Let Your House Down.
Even lovely homes in good locations can easily fall prey to this. That’s why staging your home and setting it up to flaunt it’s assets is one of the most important steps in making a great sale. Remember that the real estate game is cutthroat, and you need to do whatever you can to give yourself and your property the edge.
Do More Than Just the Basics.
This is about more than just a clean home. At the minimum you should take out the trash, keep your pets under control and get rid of any smells, stains or visibly broken things. But that is just the start.
Set The Stage.
Despite the rise in digital walk throughs and online galleries, real estate agents still make use of “open house” days, when they physically allow prospective buyers to come into the homes they are selling. This gives them the opportunity to narrate the walk through and help the prospective buyers see themselves in the new home.
To do this, you need to offer them a blank canvas, or at least a space for their own imagination to take over.
No one can imagine themselves taking a relaxing shower when they are staring at a strangers’ dandruff shampoo.
Plumbing Sells Houses.
People like to focus on the “wet” rooms. (The places with pipes and plumbing.)
When it comes to staging bathrooms and kitchens, less is best. Store away or hide your clutter, appliances, toiletries and toothbrushes. Set out a tray with fresh coffee in the kitchen, place a stack of crisp white guest towels or a nice jar of hand soap in the bathroom…pretend that your oldest and meanest auntie is coming to dinner.
Increase storage space, ensure that all towel railings, loo paper holders and other trim are whole and match.
Scrub the tub and if it’s badly stained, think about re-glazing it. The same goes for tiles and grouting. If you have the time and money, you can even give your bathroom a facelift by changing out taps and light fixtures and neutralising colour schemes and fittings.
If this is all above your budget, simply clean the bathroom well, remove everything personal and maybe add a houseplant.
In the Heart of the Home
For kitchens, simply clearing up counter space can do a lot. Take away all your clutter and personal items and create focal points with lamps, bowels of fresh fruit and flowers.
Bedrooms usually need less TLC. You can get away with simply cleaning out the space and styling it neutrally. Light coloured fresh linen on all beds is a must. Hide laundry baskets, piles of work documents, and mismatched bedding or blankets. Open the curtains and switch on the bedside lamps. Again, plants or fresh flowers can help lift a room up.
Small Things You Can Fix:
- Mismatched light switches and plug covers
- Mismatched furniture (Two different nightstands in a double room for example.)
- Curtains that are the wrong length.
- Stained rugs or blinds (or other soft furnishings)
- Remove fussy overly personal decorations. (Family photographs, home made gifts etc.)
- Do cable management and don’t have over loaded electricity outlets. (This is good fire-safety advice as well.)
- Highlight the home’s energy efficiency/green solutions. If you have installed solar panels, gas appliances or inverter/battery systems, make sure they are in good repair and if you have documentations about these systems, leave it on the dining room table for example. (Instructions, maintenance records, warranties etc.)
Invite a close friend or family member, who will be honest with you, to come and do a final walk through before buyers come. They might spot something you overlooked.
Finally, Don’t Be Touchy About Your Space.
Selling a house is super stressful, and it could feel like a personal attack when someone asks you to hide your razor in your own home. But staging a house for sale is a show – an elaborate production, aimed at getting the best possible price for your space. So, take a deep breath and get out the special guest towels.
More Tips On Staging Your Space:
8 Smart Tips for Selling Your Property
