How to Stage Your Home to Sell During the Holidays
If you have your house on the market during the holidays, staging with holiday décor is a wonderful way to showcase the positive features of your home. In order to do so effectively, it is important to recognize the fine line between decorating your home for the holidays and staging your home for the holidays. The goal when staging is to use the decorations to enhance your selling potential. If done right, you could be popping open a bottle of champagne earlier than expected this year.
Simple, neutral and natural
The most important rule to remember is to keep decorations simple. Potential buyers need to be able to envision themselves in this house, to see their lives in this home. Thus, the fewer personal effects you display the better. Instead of displaying those holiday cards from family and friends this year, they would be best kept in a decorative basket that can be swiftly stored for showings. In addition, while we all love showing off our family's holiday art, you should forego displaying it on the fridge while you're still showing your home.
Keeping decorations simple also means they should be used sparingly. The key to staging is to never clutter the space, but since holiday staging involves added décor this can be a difficult challenge. If you are not sure how much is too much, I suggest you use three pieces or less. This will ensure a clutter-free holiday look and feel throughout the home.
It is also important when staging for the holidays to try to keep the décor as nonreligious as possible. One tasteful Christmas tree or menorah is perfectly acceptable, but be advised that these are the only exceptions. Pictures of Santa, nativity scenes and other iconic holiday imagery should be held to a minimum or better yet, kept in storage for next year.
Light on decorations
Instead of these personal holiday decorations, use traditional, natural decorations such as poinsettias, wreaths, and garland. Add a potted poinsettia or two to add color and life to the family room, but get rid of it as soon as it starts to die! Hang a wreath on the front door to accentuate the curb appeal. Use garland on the threshold or mantel to draw attention to these beautiful selling features. And if you do decide to add any of these holiday decorations, be mindful not to create any permanent damage — garland, lights, and wreaths should be mounted with noninvasive adhesives.
If you have your house on the market, enjoy and celebrate this holiday season while strategically accentuating the positive features of the house. Remember to keep decorations simple, neutral, and natural. Happy holidays and best wishes for successful staging!
For more interior design and home décor tips, contact Kelly Stevenson at kellystevensonid@gmail.com.
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