Common Home-Staging Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your House

Preparing your home for sale requires careful attention to detail to attract potential buyers. Business Insider consulted with interior designer Dan Mazzarini from BHDM Design and Meridith Baer, owner of luxury home-staging company Meridith Baer Home, to identify the most significant mistakes people make when staging their homes.

Importance of Removing Personal Touches

Mazzarini emphasizes the need to depersonalize your space by removing items like “Live, Laugh, Love” pillows and family photos. Staging is about creating a neutral canvas that allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space, rather than focusing on the seller’s personal style.

Minimizing Clutter

Baer advises against cluttering living spaces with excessive throw pillows, books, and trinkets. Clutter can make rooms appear smaller and less inviting to buyers. Simplifying the decor and decluttering living areas can enhance the overall appeal of the home.

Kitchen Organization

Both Mazzarini and Baer stress the importance of decluttering kitchen countertops and removing small appliances to create a clean and spacious look. Tidying up surfaces and investing in fresh linens can instantly refresh the kitchen and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

Freshening Up Bedding and Towels

Replacing old bedding and towels with fresh linens is a cost-effective way to revitalize bedrooms and bathrooms. Baer recommends investing in new linens to enhance the overall presentation of these spaces without breaking the bank.

Bathroom Cleanliness

Baer advises against leaving dirty or half-used toiletries in the bathroom, as they can create a messy and unappealing look. Streamlining the bathroom by organizing toiletries and keeping surfaces clean can elevate the space’s aesthetic appeal.

Securing Valuables

Baer emphasizes the importance of securing valuables and personal items before staging or showing your home. Keeping items like jewelry and watches locked away ensures peace of mind during the selling process.

By avoiding these common home-staging mistakes, sellers can enhance their property’s appeal and attract more potential buyers, increasing the likelihood of a successful sale.