Even if your house is immaculately cleaned and decorated, it might not be staged in a way that will help ensure the best possible sale. This is because many home staging trends depend on what’s popular at the time and who decides to buy property in your neighborhood. Follow the guide below to learn five real estate mistakes that can turn off potential buyers.  

Which Home Staging Mistakes Should You Avoid?

1. Flat, Empty Beds 

What looks more inviting than a soft and lavish bed? Pile on at least three layers of bed linens, including pressed white sheets and a thick, opulent-looking duvet. For anything larger than a full-size mattress, position four standard pillows against the headboard and at least two accent pillows in complementary colors. For twin-size beds, use half as many pillows, and try to photograph the room from the side so the bed looks larger. With plush bed linens and pillows, the final effect will feel cozy.

If the room is small, the furniture needs to be proportionate. Buyers need to be able to move about the room comfortably without brushing against the furniture, Don’t put all the furniture around the outer perimeter of the room. When furniture is spread against all four walls, it makes the room look boxy and disconnected. 

If you redo your furniture layout, use tape to mark where you want to place every item. Plan how the room will look before you haul any heavy furniture, as it might take several tries to get the best combination.   

3. Outdated Vertical Blinds 

Natural light makes a room appear more spacious and inviting, so swap out outdated vertical blinds and heavy window dressing for matching sets of light, airy drapes throughout the house. Pick a soft neutral tone fabric and stay away from patterns which look too busy. Floor-length drapes are best, and hang the curtain rod close to the ceiling to create tall, vertical lines that elongate the room. When you’re ready to take pictures, let in as much light as possible, and keep the drapes open.  

4. Overcrowding  

You don’t need to decorate every surface. Remove some of the items from a shelving unit to make it look tidy and intentional. Select which items to display based on their color, theme, and condition. Try to group like-colors together, and don’t leave anything out that seems overly personal. Home buyers should feel they’re visiting a house where they can envision themselves. Don’t remind them that the house is still your home. 

5. Misguided Marketing

Research your target demographic, including their age, and then study what resonates with the community. For example, if you live in a beach town, are your neighbors likely to be retirees or surfers? Other factors, like the house style and asking price, can help narrow your focus so you know which points to address while staging your home.

Work with a real estate agent who can help you make your property sophisticated and memorable. If you’re selling a property in York County, SC, or Mecklenburg County NC,  HomeWise Realty of the Carolinas will walk you through the process from listing the property to brokering the purchase agreement. To learn more about the exceptional team of local realtors, visit their website. Call (704) 900-4979 to speak with a real estate agent about selling your property.