A Welcoming Entrance
The outside of your home is the first thing guests see. A coat of glossy paint in a cheerful fresh color, a polished knocker and a custom updated light fixture (or sparkling clean existing one) will set the tone for a well-maintained home. A new welcome mat and seasonal potted plants are inexpensive ways to welcome potential buyers into their new home.

Control the Clutter
If you haven't used it in 3 months, pack it away. If you haven't used it in a year, it's time to throw it out. Less is more when it comes to home staging. Buyers need to see that there is plenty of space, and the home is not bursting at the seams. It's usually a good idea to rent a storage unit when preparing your home for resale. Whatever you can live without in the next few months needs to be put in storage.

Furniture Arrangement
It is crucial for the traffic to flow smoothly within and around rooms. Furniture should be repositioned into cozy conversational groups. Creating a focal point (without it being the TV) provides a quaint and comfortable feel to a room.

Create a Vignette
Buyers only know what they see. Sometimes it may be difficult to imagine the perfect use of an empty space. The simple addition of a comfortable armchair, a small table, and a lamp in an unused nook will transform the space into a cozy reading spot.

Let there be Light
Nothing cheers up a room better than natural light. Shades should always be up to illuminate a room. Proper lighting is crucial throughout the home. All lights should be in working order and on if possible. Rooms radiating with warmth and glow, create a dramatic effect for buyers. Dimmer switches are a simple and inexpensive upgrade to add to each light fixture. This allows you to create the perfect ambiance throughout the day.

The Power of Paint
Painting is the most cost effective and easiest way to give an old room a new look. These days, the definition of "neutral" extends way beyond beige�from warm tans and honeys to soft blue-greens. Don't shy away from darker colors. A deep tone on the walls can make the space feel more intimate, dramatic, or cozy. The great thing about paint is, if you don't like it, just paint right over it.

Accessorize
After your furniture is thoughtfully arranged and the room is dappled with color, it's time to accessorize for the finishing touches! When it comes to eye-pleasing accessorizing, 1, 3 and 5 items are the magic numbers. And rather than setting your trio of accessories out in a row, imagine a triangle and place one object at each point. Scale is important too. In your grouping of three, be sure to vary items by height and width, with the largest at the back and the smallest in front.

Depersonalize
By reducing family photos and collections, you can help create that model home feel. Buyers need to be able to visualize their belongings in your space. All personal hygiene and grooming products should be hidden. No toothbrushes, hairbrushes, or used soap should be in sight.

 

Neutralize
A staged home needs to appeal to the masses. Creating a scene that will appeal to the majority of people despite individual taste in styles, colors or cosmetic appeal can be tricky. This is where your staging professional can help on an individual basis.

Bring the Outdoors In
Nature can freshen up an otherwise stale environment with colorful flowers, invigorating greens, or rustic twigs and branches. Seasonal arrangements will accentuate the tone of the season. Summer blooms add splashes of cheerful color, blazing fall foliage warms up your decor on chilly autumn days, and holly branches accentuated with berries look smashing in the winter.