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The goal of staging a home for sale is to make a property appeal to the widest number of potential buyers possible. This can, in turn, sell a property more swiftly and for a higher price. Even vacant properties can benefit from home staging. By using staging furniture and props to define rooms it lets the buyer know how it would feel living in the property - a far better idea than simply leaving rooms empty and undressed. See examples of home staging in our before & after gallery

Home staging techniques focus on improving a property's appeal by transforming it into an attractive proposition that more buyers will want to make an offer on. Done properly, home staging raises the value of a property by reducing the appearance of the property's flaws and by leading the buyer's eye to its more attractive features. Essentially it cleans, depersonalises and declutters a property and attends to minor DIY jobs to generally improve the property's visual appeal and condition. This in turn creates the feeling of a welcoming home, where the buyer can easily imagine themselves living.

If you're serious about selling a house, first impressions really do count.

So, how do I stage my house for sale?

1. De-clutter and clean all rooms in the house.
Remember 'space sells' - a buyer needs to be able to see the space in your rooms immediatey without having to imagine what it is like without your clutter in there. Make it easy for them to see the space for themselves. A proper de-clutter means removing anything you won't need to use while your house is for sale. This includes items such as large collections of books, CDs and toys or dozens of personal photographs filling the walls. When de-cluttering you should also clean and tidy inside drawers and cupboards as potential buyers may look inside.

Step 2: Attend to any small DIY repairs that need attention.
Take a good objective look at your house both inside and out. Things like scratched paintwork, cracks, peeling wallpaper, squeaky doors or floorboards, a broken gutter or leaky taps could soon put buyers off. A small investment of your time to put these things right could achieve a quicker sale or even a higher sale price.

Step 3: Depersonalise every room in the house.
Buyers are more attracted to a house when they can easily imagine themselves living there. They do not want to be distracted by someone else's personal paraphernalia, so de-personalising a property is probably the most powerful and widely used selling tip when it comes to selling houses. To achieve this desired look you should pack away all personal photographs, trophies, certificates and things like children's artwork - these items may be very precious to you but they are distracting for buyers.

Step 4: Pay particular attention to the kitchen and bathroom.
Your kitchen space should appear as large as possible, clean and functional; so do not fill work surfaces and shelves with food and unecessary gadgets. Also ensure all areas are spotlessly clean and all cupboards are tidy - buyers will normally look inside to assess how much space there is. Your bathroom should also be spotlessly clean, de-personalised and presented as smartly as possible with absolutely no hint of mildew anywhere! Additionally don't leave your personal items out during a vewing (for example toothbrushes, razors, ointments or medication) as these will only distract the buyer's eye. Instead a few well-placed luxury items such as new fluffy bath towels, bottles of pampering bath foam and scented candles will give the buyer a much better impression.

Step 5. Don't forget outside.
At the very least clean your windows and wash over all paintwork. Ensure the approach to your property is tidy and attractive with a clean front door and working bell or door knocker. It may sound obvious but if you have a garden make sure it is tidy, paths are swept, lawns mowed and plants are not withering away.

Step 6. Learn the golden rules of conducting a viewing and be prepared for questions.
Just before a viewing open curtains to let in as much natural daylight as possible or switch on lamps. Freshen up the air before each viewing by opening the windows and always keep pets out of the home for day of the viewing. Switch off TVs and computers and instead have some easy listening or classical music playing in the background.
When showing buyers around your property, let them enter rooms first, that way they'll see the room in all its glory rather than the back of your head. In smaller rooms stay at the door as too many people in a small space may give your buyers the impression that the rooms are not big enough.
Be prepared for any questions. Buyers usually want to know the reason why you're moving, what the neighbourhood is like and has there been any interest in the property from other purchasers. Practice beforehand with friends or family by inviting them around to view the house as if they were potential house buyers. That way you'll have answers to any tricky questions ready. Finally have printed information about your home ready to give to potential buyers. This should at the very least show a selection of photographs (interior and exterior), a description of all rooms, room sizes and what fixtures and fittings are included in the sale, along with your contact information.

Can I get someone to stage my house for sale for me?

Yes. Allian Design can arrange all of this for you, simply email: homestaging@alliandesign.com

How much does property staging cost?
How much should I think about spending?

No two home staging projects are the same and, as such, the cost of home staging varies greatly; but you should always think in terms of 'minimum cost for maximum gain'. Before we undertake any home staging project, your Allian Design Property Styling Co-Ordinator will visit your property and create a Property Staging Report to give you a thorough assessment of what improvements are needed to help you achieve a prompt house sale.

We know our clients sometimes find it difficult to spend money on a property they intend to leave. But if you are serious about selling a house then you need to regard any expenditure as an investment. Having said that, money should only be spent where it's needed. Your expenditure should work hard for you to achieve the best possible return on your investment.

It is the job of our home stylists to make the most of your property on an agreed budget. We believe in working with what you already have and making changes only where necessary to enhance your property's appeal. In some cases (apart from our Property Styling Co-ordinator's initial consultation fee) there may be no other expenditure involved, as it may simply be a case of de-cluttering and re-arranging furniture. We always only suggest spending money on work that will improve your property's chances of selling (or renting) to help you to get the maximum return out of every pound you spend.

The cost of home staging also depends on how much time and work you are prepared to put into preparing your property. As a general rule-of-thumb, if your Property Staging Report suggests numerous areas that need to be addressed, and you intend to carry out all of the changes yourself, then you need to consider spending around 1% of your property's asking price to cover materials, furnishings and accessories to complement what you already have. On the other hand, if you prefer your Property Styling Co-Ordinator to arrange tradesmen to carry out the work for you and project manage the property makeover, then you should consider spending between 2-2.5% of your property's asking price. This however is only a rough guide as each individual property will have its own requirements and budget.

Call 01527 457614 or email: enquiries@alliandesign.com to ask any question about
Allian Design's home staging and property styling services.