Styling or “staging” a property is a key part of the process when planning to sell. Depending on the existing condition of your home, this may involve a number of different tasks to be carried out in terms of repairs, maintenance and decor in and around the home. 

The primary aim of property styling is to engage buyers in order to maximise profit from a sale in a relatively short amount of time. Keeping this in mind will help to narrow your focus as you work through the styling process.

Budgeting

Since the goal is to maximise profit, it’s important to have a budget for property styling expenses. First, define your scope by establishing the level of work, ranging from decorative accents to larger renovations for each room, then allocate around 7% to 12% of the property value for your styling project.

As part of the budget, assess which aspects of the project are to be outsourced. This includes contractors for more specialist tasks such as roofing and electrical work. For tasks such as painting and decor, you can opt to have part or all of the work done by a professional stylist, depending on your budget.

Preparing the Space

Prioritise repairs and maintenance ahead of any decorating. Taking care of these first will add value to your home, helping to boost buyer confidence. Following this, declutter your home of anything that detracts from the desired aesthetic, including large, bulky items of furniture. 

Next, deep clean your home, including the curtains, carpet and upholstery. This will also help to remove any off-putting smells that can come from cooking, pets or general mustiness that can develop over time. Air out the home and rather than overly-perfumed products that temporarily mask smells, use a neutralising air freshener.

Decorating and Repairs

First impressions matter, so before any interior decorating, you should aim to enhance your property’s curb appeal by carrying out any landscaping and gardening tasks, in addition to painting and fixing exterior features like windows, doors and pathways. 

For the interior, keep in mind that when viewing most buyers tend to gravitate to the living room, then the kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom, so it can help to focus on each room in that order. Aim for a sense of flow throughout by keeping the decor style consistent for each room.

Light and Space

Create a sense of brightness and space by opening the curtains and blinds. Where necessary use strategic electrical lighting in darker areas, taking care to keep the colour temperature consistent throughout. Warm white bulbs tend to look more welcoming in contrast to harsher cold white.

This can also be achieved through using a light, neutral colour palette. Colour preferences tend to be subjective, so sticking to a neutral palette creates that sense of brightness without distracting buyers with colours that might clash with their own personal tastes.

Focus On Potential

Try to maintain a “less is more” approach; new curtains, potted plants (these tend to last longer than cut flowers) and one or two carefully arranged accent pieces can help add freshness to the space without making it feel too lived-in.This helps to create a sense of possibility, enabling buyers to envisage the property as their own, and maximises your chances of a successful and quick sale.