6 Easy Staging Ideas to Get Your Kitchen Ready for a Home Sale
Spruce it up!
Getting your home ready to sell can be a stressful experience filled with lots of quick decisions and unexpected expenses. When the subject of staging comes up, it’s easy to consider crossing that one off the list. But don’t. Time and time again, a house sits on the market for months but then sells within weeks of being staged effectively. Any real estate agent will tell you, home buyers are very particular about their kitchen design. So, where staging is concerned, this should be a key area of focus.
1. Handsome Hardware
Dated cabinets can really make or break a sale, and sellers often don’t have the time or capital to completely replace their cabinets. Simply changing out the cabinet hardware is an affordable kitchen staging tip that really packs a punch when it comes to home staging. Stick with simple, low-profile pulls and knobs that contribute to a timeless look that will never look out-of-date. Stay away from high-polished finishes, and think brushed nickel or brass, bronze, or black.
While we’re on the subject of kitchen cabinets, there’s one staging upgrade that isn’t immediately visible, but it’s the one your potential buyers will remember on their drive home. Slide-out shelving makes working in the kitchen so much easier and more pleasant that many buyers consider them a high-end upgrade. And while they definitely have that effect in a sale situation, they’re surprisingly – almost shockingly – affordable and easy to install.
If new flooring isn’t an option before staging, don’t worry. A new rug or two can really breathe life into the space. Consider an indoor/outdoor rug to remind potential buyers that this is more than a home staging solution for the floors. Indoor/outdoor rugs are far more durable, easier to clean and maintain, and now come in stylish colors and patterns that will work in any interior space. Look for complementary, light (but not white) colors and patterns that don’t show wear and tear.
You’ll be amazed what a difference new window treatments will make. Avoid big, billowy fabric that collects dirt and debris and creates a claustrophobic feel. Choose simple rolling or Roman shades that offer a very low profile by sitting right inside the window frame. Choosing a light or translucent material keeps the light flowing yet still offers privacy.
One of the main goals of home staging is eliminating clutter, so don’t go overboard with collectibles on countertops. Try a few simple matching vases or reframe photos to make them blend more effectively with the rest of the space. Choose finishes that match your new cabinet hardware so that you get a little pop of light or color without visually cluttering the space.
6. Fresh or Faux Flowers
Before your guests arrive, make sure to splurge on some bright, fun flower arrangements or plants that make the home look loved. While you’re at it, the smell of a big batch of cookies fresh from the oven is so effective that you can even buy just the scent. But don’t fall for that. Instead, one-up the Joneses by plating up a real batch of cookies to set on your countertop right in front of those fresh or faux flowers.
With over 25-years of experience, Kerrie Kelly is creative director for Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, an award-winning California interior designer, author and contributor; product designer and multi-media consultant, helping national brands reach the interior design market.
