Level 1:
A view from the road. How does your house look from across the street? Does it have curb appeal? Are there areas you need to improve? What can you do?
• Tidy up your front yard
- Cut the grass.
- Create a border or rockery, add seasonal plants and flowers.
- Mulch around shrubs and trees (red really stands out against green) Trim shrubs and trees that obstruct your view of your home.
- Pressure wash the driveway of your home, as well as the stairs to the home, as well as the front and back of your home. Make sure the windows are clean.
- Do some repairs! Mailboxes, steps, cracked paths or overgrown driveways, front porches, patios and decks. Paint the railings, steps, decks, and front door.
- Update porch lighting.
- Add a focal point to your porch: a two-seater swing, rocking chairs, comfortable wicker chairs with a low table. Add more color with bright cushions, bathtubs with brightly colored plants.
- Solar lights, especially under trees, will give your front yard a professional look.
Use the same principles for the backyard. Add a seating area, where the family can enjoy cookouts and grills. Tidy up toys or bikes – keep them in the garage.
Stage 2:
Inside
When you enter your house, what do you see? Whether you have a ranch style, split level, townhome, etc. The rules are the same. What is the purpose of each room? What is it used for and by whom?
A basic principle: clean and order all the rooms..
Consider investing in some storage; pretty boxes for your closets will house scarves, belts, toys, etc. Shelf with storage boxes in bright colors for children’s rooms that are washable.
Hallways and Entrances
When you walk into your house, you see a ‘dump’ of school bags, coats and shoes. Is the paint on the front door and baseboards peeling or just in need of polishing?
• Clean and clear!
• Wash off paint, apply a new coat of paint. Stick to neutral colors to give the feeling of light and space.
• Steam clean carpets and regrout tile floors.
Add a new light fixture to the entrance.
• Choose accessories, eg wall art, a floor vase
• Delete personal photos
Remember: this is the entrance to your home. You want it to be welcoming to visitors.
Living rooms
• Look at the layout of the space and the room, the position of the furniture
• Move your furniture around
• Curtains – dry cleaning or change. Keep the curtains simple and elegant. Forget frilly valances!
• Move unnecessary bulky furniture out of the room.
• Create a focal point for your room, perhaps a fireplace wall or accent wall.
• Keep the decor as neutral as possible.
• Add an area rug
• Look at the lighting, update old fixtures. Opt for a more modern approach. Swap out brass fixtures for brushed nickel or chrome.
• Accessorize with new cushions, a throw for the couch, or a small bowl/vase of flowers on a side or coffee table.
Remember that less is more.
Kitchen
Are your kitchen cabinets and countertops outdated?
• Repair any defective kitchen cabinet doors in the kitchen.
• Paint cabinet doors; You will need a primer. Ask your local DIY store for advice.
• Change cabinet hardware
• Stainless steel appliances are preferred, but not essential, as long as they are in perfect working order and clean. Avoid overloading countertops with cookware.
• Look for new countertops if the budget allows it.
• Make sure the kitchen sink is clean and the Fawcett is working.
• Refresh kitchen paint
• Clean the floor, re-grout the tiles or replace worn vinyl
• Create an eating space, breakfast bar or breakfast nook. If you’re short on space, add a folding table with high chairs or stools.
• Make sure there are no lingering food odors from the stall
Remember: the kitchen is a high point selling area..
Bathrooms
• Freshen up your bathroom with a fresh coat of paint; once again the rule is neutral colors.
• Fix any loose grout on floors and walls.
• Replace worn vinyl flooring.
• Upgrade shower heads and Fawcett
• Replace the toilet seat
• Consider changing the vanity or hardware
• Add a modern vanity light
• Choose new bathroom accessories and shower curtains. Baths and shower units can be expensive to replace and you may not get a return on your expenses, so clean them. By updating fixtures and hardware, you can give your bathroom a clean, modern look.
Remember the basic rules of staging and apply them to the rest of your home.