6 Home Staging Tips to Make Your Home Look Like the Magazines

6 Home Staging Tips to Make Your Home Look Like the Magazines

  • Dicker Morin Group
  • 02/6/23

Do you want to sell your Austin home? Are you looking around your house and wondering how to transform it into something that resembles the beautiful spaces often featured in interior decorating magazines? You can do that by staging your home! A professionally staged home can sell quickly and often for well above the listed price. Here’s how you can stage your Westlake home so that many buyers will want to make an offer now!

1. Give function to every room and space

As many as 82% of real estate agents have said that staging can help buyers imagine their future lives in the home. To help buyers see their future selves within a space, you need to give a specific function to every room. 

Consider the rooms in your home and what they are used for. If there is an empty alcove or nook, then you might need to create a function for that space to add a level of intrigue. Consider adding a chair, a table, or even a pair of floating shelves in that space to transform it into a cozy reading nook or sitting area. 

For instance, a small recessed room set off from the kitchen is a great opportunity. Instead of leaving it empty, an entryway table, rug, and mirror could be added to create a space where family members or guests could congregate. In addition, a small stool could be placed in the corner to create a cute seating area. 

Adding a function to a room allows home buyers to see and imagine what else they could use that space for. Assigning function to space does not limit but rather incites the imagination to think of more possibilities in these luxury homes for sale in Westlake and beyond!

2. Use mirrors to add more space and light

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A great way to make a space look more expansive is with the effective use of mirrors. For example, consider adding a large mirror in the hallway, behind the living room sofa, and above desks and entryway tables. These mirrors should be high-quality and ornately designed to enhance the space's overall appeal. Be sure to hang these mirrors near a window, as the outdoor light can reflect off the mirror, making the space appear brighter and more vibrant. By carefully placing a few mirrors in your staged home, you can create a space that will rival what you see in high-quality design magazines.

3. Use patterns for the bookshelves

Do you have a set of bookshelves in your home? Bookshelves can often be a tricky area to stage properly. Sometimes, bookshelves can even make a room feel more cluttered and busier than it should be.

When working with a set of bookshelves, you need to empty them to start with a blank canvas. Consider adjusting the shelves to accommodate different heights and add more visual interest. Then, you want to start from large to small and bottom to top. Consider adding accent pieces in the large spaces, such as decorative plates, picture frames, ornamental art pieces, and potted plants. You can then add the books, with some stacked horizontally and some vertically. Consider leaving a few shelves empty to reduce the clutter. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves can create a stunning visual masterpiece and make excellent use of space, complete with books, figurines, lamps, and other decor items, to create a gorgeous staging piece that does not feel too cluttered.

4. Add potted plants

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Glance through any interior decorating magazine, and you will undoubtedly spot a few plants strategically placed in the home. Besides the obvious benefit of purifying the air, plants can help your home in other ways, too!

The simple presence of plants is usually enough to make your home feel more lively and vibrant. If a space feels too clinical and sterile, plants can help to add some much-needed color and energy. If there is an area in your home that is empty and devoid of furniture, then you could consider adding a potted plant. Some popular places to add plants include entryways, dining room tables, coffee tables, and bookshelves. Just be sure to use natural plants and not their fake counterparts! Ultimately, plants will help buyers immediately feel at home, creating a positive and lasting first impression.

5. Personalize the bathroom a little

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While you should not leave used toothbrushes and open mouthwash containers in your staged home, you should consider personalizing your master bathroom in other ways. First, consider the amenities in the bathroom, from the spa-like bath and saunas to rain showers and new cabinetry. Consider adding a small tray of spa essentials next to the bath. Furthermore, hang clean and fresh towels to give that much-needed pop of color. Finally, add a few small potted plants to make the bathroom appear more lively and personalized. Adding scented candles, plants, soap, and fresh towels can take the bathroom to the next level. By adding some elegant personalizations to the bathroom, you can transform it into a space that looks captivating!

6. Use neutral colors to make the furniture pop

You might be considering painting the interior of your home. Considering that painting can bring a solid return on investment, this is an easy home staging tip that you should consider executing. A repainted home can often freshen and liven up the space to attract many buyers. When considering what colors to paint, it’s a good idea to opt for neutral colors. In general, bright colors can be a bit of a gamble, as they may not appeal to most buyers. Consider painting the walls with neutral colors, such as off-whites, grays, and beiges. You can add more colorful furniture, rugs, and home decor items to make them pop. Strategic splashes of color against the neutral background can create a beautiful space!

Are you interested in selling your West Lake home on the Austin real estate scene? Consult the experienced local real estate agents Jenny and Lana from the Dicker Morin Group! As Accredited Luxury Home Specialists, Jenny and Lana work with staging and design professionals to help you professionally stage your home. Their connections will help you sell quickly and for top dollar. Ask Jenny and Lana how they can help you get started.

*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock


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