Setting the Stage: Effectively Staging Your Home

Setting the Stage: Effectively Staging Your Home

‘Setting the stage’ started off as a theatrical term, referring to the process of making sure the stage was ready with scenery, props etc so that actors could perform. However, it’s long since passed into general speech, applied to any situation where you’re preparing for something. And it definitely applies to selling property! Staging your home or flat to its best advantage can make a huge difference when it comes to making a sale or renting it out. But you don’t need to spend thousands of pounds on new furniture or hire a stylist to get things into shape. In fact, with a little bit of elbow grease and creative thinking, you can whip your property into shape without spending much, if anything, at all. 

Here are some of our top tips when it comes to staging your property:

Outside:

You only get one chance to make a first impression, and the outside of your home is the first thing that potential buyers or renters will see. When we come to photograph your property, make sure you maximise the kerb appeal by taking vehicles off the drive (so they don’t obstruct the view of the property) and putting bins and recycling somewhere out of sight. You should also mow the lawn, tidy the garden and make sure those windows and doors are sparkling clean. The same applies for any open house viewings, wherever possible.

Reception rooms:

These are the heart of your home, and a huge selling point for buyers/renters. Therefore, make sure you show them off to their best advantage by tidying, vacuuming and dusting surfaces. For photography especially, it’s best to keep all blinds and curtains open to maximise the light, and to remove any cups, magazines or other clutter from all surfaces. Make sure children’s toys are put away, close cupboard doors and, as a final touch, plump up those sofa cushions. 

Additionally, any seasonal decorations should be kept out of sight, and any personal items or photographs you don’t want people to see can be temporarily removed. The idea is to ‘stage’ the space so that potential buyers or renters can imagine themselves and their own belongings in the rooms. 

And when we say to put things away or temporarily remove them, we don’t mean ‘put them all in a corner where the photographer won’t see them.’ Video tours are a big selling point for most properties these days. This is a real positive, as it allows people to see your property without actually being there. But it also means there’s nowhere to hide as the video tour will cover all corners of your property.

Kitchen:

When you go into someone’s kitchen, what do you like to see? Clean expanses of counter tops, gleaming chrome and attractive décor details? Or a giant pile of dirty dishes in the sink, finger-marks on the cupboards, cluttered counters and a fridge covered in magnets? I imagine it’s the former, rather than the latter. Yet we all use our kitchens for so many things, part office/dining room/laundry space/food prep area/kid’s art gallery that we sometimes don’t realise how cluttered things can become. Taking the time to make sure that appliances are put away, surfaces cleaned and de-cluttered, and ephemera tucked into drawers will go a long way to making your kitchen a more neutral, inviting space, and somewhere a buyer/renter can imagine themselves fixing a meal.

Bedrooms:

Once again this is about creating an inviting space for potential buyers to view. Whether for photography or a viewing, make sure that blinds and curtains are open, beds are neatly made, pillows plumped, clothes are all put away and dressing tables are clear and tidy. As before, put away any personal items or family photographs that you don’t want to have in the your photos. Imagine how nice it feels when you check into a hotel room, and try to aim for that. 

Empty properties

Don’t think you can get away with not doing much if your property is empty. Bare walls and floors show up any marks and damage, so make sure you clean and vacuum carpets and tiled areas, remove any marks on the walls (wherever possible) and clean skirting boards and coving. Windows and window frames should also be cleaned, as well as bathroom and kitchen fixtures.

And that’s it! A good clean and tidy is often all you need to make your property photo-ready. Remember, your photographer won’t be bringing any props, though they may suggest moving items to get a better shot. So make sure the stage is set, and let your home step into the spotlight looking its absolute best.