Considering how active the real estate industry is in the country, home staging is still a relatively new concept to many people in the UK. However, it is continuously proving to be a strategy worth considering for many property owners and agents.
If you are planning to sell your house, then I advise you to read on to understand how this technique can help you maximize your profit.
What is home staging?
Home staging is a sales strategy wherein you redecorate your property to make it more appreciable to potential buyers who will view it. It is quite similar to how a fashion model is groomed before going on a photo shoot or a catwalk, but instead of clothes and make-up, a property is staged using furniture, fixtures, and decorations.
If your property is bare, most professional stagers will also provide furniture rental as part of their services. However, they can also make use of existing items available. This is a perfect way to prepare for an open house or a property photo session.
What are the advantages of home staging?
The goal of staging your property is to enable potential buyers to visualize its aesthetic and functional possibilities. Seeing the place in a well-decorated state makes a strong impact and can dictate the turning point to closing the sale. It only makes sense that people spend more time viewing properties that have been staged according to surveys.
A study by the Home Staging Association UK showed that properties that have been staged before entering the market sell twice as fast. They are also being sold at higher prices, averaging 8% to 10%.
How much does it cost to hire a professional stager?
As a modest estimation, you can expect a professional fee of about 1% of the property’s market value. However, this can vary widely depending on several factors such as the inclusions of the service or the work involved. If you wish your stager to repaint the walls, replace tiles, or redo the landscaping – then this can obviously cost you more.
Renting the furniture will also increase the fee. If you have some skills in interior design or interior styling, then you can also choose to just rent the furniture and do the staging yourself. Just make sure to follow my tips below.
Top tips for DIY Home Staging
De-personalise
While the interior design practice is all about making the place more personal to the occupant, home staging works in reverse and aims to de-personalize it. You need to remove all items such as family photos and memorabilia.
Another key objective is to make the place style-neutral. You might be fond of bright colours but most people may not share the same inclination. It will be best to stick to shades such as white or cream. Overwhelming patterns have to be avoided too.
Highlight the spaces and not the content
Rather than focusing on the actual items in the room, you must emphasize the abundance and usability of spaces. Opt for furniture pieces that are light to the eyes, low, and do not consume too much of the floor area. Place each one with ample spacing in between.
You should also group the items strategically to define individual spaces. For example, you can set up a reading corner or a study area. This will give clients a good idea of how the room can be utilized.
Add texture and details
Though being neutral and minimal in the design is important, it does not mean that you should leave the place dull. You can add texture by inserting subtle but well-thought elements. Some examples are sofa pillows, rugs, coffee table books, and plants and flowers.
Be generous with lighting
Lighting will accentuate the spaciousness of the room. It is also stimulating and will help excite your clients. Replace your light bulbs and make sure they have similar colour temperatures. If possible, add more lighting fixtures to areas that need highlighting.
Aside from artificial lighting, you should also make use of natural lighting. Draw back your window curtain and let in the breeze especially if the window shows a pleasant view.
Tickle the senses with scent or music
More than just visual elements, you can also go deeper and evoke other senses. Playing some relaxing music or diffusing some essential oils can leave a lasting impression.
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