7 unique staging tips that will help your home sell fast

Erin Vaughan, Contributor to ClarkHoward.com | April 3rd, 2019

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After you’ve cleaned until you can’t stand the smell of pine, cleared out all the clutter from every inch of the garage, and bumped up your home’s curb appeal, is there anything else you can do to help your home sell — preferably without spending an arm and a leg?

The answer, homeowners, is yes.

While you’ve probably already heard all of the traditional advice, there are just a few lesser-known tips — some real inside secrets from real estate professionals — that could get your home off the market faster than you can say “close of escrow.”

Here are a few of those less-obvious ideas.

Simple things you can do to your home to help it sell

DIY your own stainless steel paneling

Via HomRem

Different appliance surfaces go in and out of vogue a lot more frequently than most of us can keep up with.

If you’re dealing with an outdated material on a perfectly fine dishwasher, don’t fret. You can easily transform this piece into a trendy, stainless steel fixture with a little elbow grease.

Clean the front panels on each appliance and then carefully apply a stick-on stainless steel film cover. Cut the film down to size and you’re done!

Repaint your walls to match your drapes

Via Apartment Therapy

Looking to add a luxurious, polished look to your home? Now is not the time for a bold design statement.

Instead, create the illusion of space by pairing your wall and drapery colors (preferably in a nuanced, neutral hue). This gives the space an unbroken appearance, ultimately making your decor appear more integrated and smooth.

Use awkward spaces to your advantage

Via HomedIt

That spot under the stairs may have been the perfect catchall to hold unused junk, but that won’t be a big sell to buyers who are trying to imagine your space as the tableau for their new, clutter-free lives.

Instead, take advantage of odd little spaces in your home by turning them into reading nooks or small office space. Or, install built-in shelves in the area — they always rank high on buyers’ want lists.

Bake some cookies

Via Serious Eats

Who isn’t drawn to a space that has the lingering smell of fresh cookies?

Make a new batch before each showing so that delicious odor can waft around your kitchen as a natural room deodorizer. Plus, you can set out the tempting treats as a lure for any potential buyers. Double win!

Turn your porch lights on at night

Via The Light Sentry

You never know when the right buyer will suddenly appear, so turning on outdoor lights will communicate to homebuyers who might be driving around that you’re home and ready to give them some information — or maybe even a quick tour.

Hang mirrors strategically

Via My Fancy House

It’s okay to use just the teensiest bit of visual trickery to make spaces appear lighter and more luxurious. Mirrors hung in dim or cramped spots reflect lighting that gives a more spacious, luminous feel to the area.

Replace your bathroom towels

Via KD Hamptons

Give your restrooms the spa treatment by swapping out old, mismatched towels for some luxe, fluffy replacements in brilliant white. You can do the same thing for your linens, trading old quilts and sheets for plush, clean, new bedding.

There’s nothing like crisp, white surfaces to transport visitors, so their effect on your bathrooms and bedrooms should not be underestimated. Just think, finding the right buyer could be as simple as changing the towels!