You don’t have to be an HGTV star to know that selling your home isn’t an easy job. It requires you to consider several essential aspects, since every prospective buyer who comes to visit will have a different preference for their future home.

Because of that, home staging is the best way to sell your house, both quickly and at a higher sales price. Staging could be characterized as selling a vision of what could be. You might touch base with a professional home stager or a real estate agent, who can help you pinpoint potential mistakes and sort them out before they cost you.

According to National Association of Realtors, home staging makes it 82% easier for buyers to envision the property as their own. One of the most critical mistakes is to see home staging as a cost instead of an investment.

Mistakes to Avoid when Staging Your Home

Avoid these missteps to garner more interest and higher offers.

Incorporating Too Many Patterns

Plaid and polka dot and floral and stripes may seem like a cool, eclectic mix, but don’t assume combining these will jive with buyers’ personal styles. Incorporating too many patterns can be confusing, and it can actually prevent them from picturing their stuff in the space. Moreover, loud, overly patterned furniture can also have a negative impact; it does not look soothing or convey that your home is a haven. 

Instead, opt for a single bright pattern that pops, yet still makes the buyer feel comfortable and calm. Focus on adding neutral-colored furniture with a blend of natural color combinations. (Copy the natural world: picture stones and sand punctuated by the occasional vibrant flower.) 

Installing Poor Light Fixtures

Lighting can serve as a stunning addition or severe detraction from your home. Insufficiently lit rooms and landscapes create a negative impression, leaving buyers to wonder if they can ‘fix’ this visible (and gloomy) problem. Also consider your fixtures themselves; does the lighting fit well with the paint color and curtains, and convey a sense of quality? Proper lighting will brighten your space and make it a focal point by creating a level of intimacy. You can also consider LEDs with warm lighting. Besides the all-important element of lighting, incorporating mirrors and reflective surfaces also creates an illuminating effect.

Poor Furniture Placement

U.S. real estate mogul and popular Shark Tank judge Barbara Corcoran advises to never attempt selling a home without furniture. However, awkward placement of furniture is another big mistake that you need to avoid during home staging. Tables and seating areas in the kitchen, dining area, living area, and any bedroom sets should all create a cohesive, uniform feel. Oversized furniture is tricky, as it might appear luxe but can make it difficult for buyers to analyze how much space the house truly offers. Make sure to keep your table in a place that it looks functional—not in the way of the flow of foot traffic.

Neglecting the Outdoors

Neglecting your outdoor space while putting your house for sale can be a costly error, especially in an era when so many people are spending much of their time at home. It is essential not to overlook the exterior of your home. Most prospective buyers want porches, patios, gardens and lawns to be more attractive as it shapes the first impression for all who will visit their home. To that end, improving your yard and outdoor seating areas will enhance the overall appeal of your home. You can do this in multiple ways, such as: 

• de-cluttering your yard, 
• cleaning the exterior, 
• weeding any gardens,
• and updating or repairing any fencing, 

Consider making the space more attractive by adding comfortable furniture, an umbrella, a grill, a fire pit, outdoor fireplace or other accessory that will help buyers to visualize enjoyable leisure time.

Over-staging with a DIY Approach

You can put your house on sale yourself (known as For Sale By Owner or ‘FSBO’) with a DIY approach, but ensure you don’t go overboard. An agent can give you ideas to make your space look trendy but not tacky, according to buyers’ current expectations. You may overlook some details, so an expert can help you avoid focusing on the wrong things…or implementing too much of a good thing. For example, they can suggest you choose a complementary color combination, rearrange furniture properly, maintain the exterior area with a professional look, and more. 

The Bottom Line

Avoiding the above mistakes can increase your chance of selling your house for more money in less time. (What’s not to love?!) So make sure to consider all of the essential aspects before placing your home for sale.