The living room is an essential part of the home, providing space where the entire family can gather and enjoy the relaxing moments of the day. Due to its central location, choosing whether or not to stage could make or break the deal. If you’re a real estate agent who’s absorbing best practices and building your career, here’s a closer look at why the effort you put into presenting this key room will attract potential buyers.

Why an Unstaged Living Room Doesn’t Work

While empty rooms tend to produce a more spacious appearance, they can feel cold and unwelcoming. There might be some color on the walls, but the lack of a layout limits the imagination and makes it difficult for a homebuyer to visualize a design and picture themselves there. 

Additionally, if there are cracks in the wall or blemishes on the floor, they’ll stand out like a sore thumb. Furniture naturally captures the attention and will redirect the buyer’s focus from the rest of the space.

How Home Decor Adds Character

Each piece is unique in its own way, giving the room a welcoming appearance and making it feel more like home. Real estate agents who take the time to set up a space encourage engagement and allow buyers to picture how everything might fit.

Even the smallest of touches, such as a mirror over the fireplace or a plant along the windowsill, can add a touch of character, opening up the space and giving it some personality. Most importantly, the viewer will be able to instantly imagine doing their own living in this room.

Tips for Staging

If you’re working with an open layout, use the couches to divide the room from the rest of the home. Otherwise, place the larger of the couches up against a back wall to maintain an open appearance.

Set up one to two chairs on either side with a coffee table in the center as a vignette to create a conversation area. Brighten up the space with a couple of well-placed lamps and a few throw pillows. Finally, set out a fresh flower arrangement or two for the perfect finish.

Jump-start your career as a real estate agent by working with EXIT Realty Upper Midwest. They have more than 35 years of combined experience and work with residential, commercial, and agricultural properties. Each of their offices are locally owned and offers mentorships and resources for ambitious agents. As one of the fastest growing real estate companies in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, they’ll help your career find a successful path. Call (651) 505-3570 to set up an interview or visit their website for additional information on the company.