Staging your home for an open house is a great way to improve your property’s overall look and feel and increase its value. However, there are certain mistakes that you could be making that could actually reduce the number of potential renters or buyers who want to come through. We’d all like to think that our houses are a catch, but there are some little details we can overlook. Here are five common mistakes to avoid next time you set your home up to show potential rentals or buyers.

Don’t skimp on cleaning in tricky spots

One of the easiest ways to create a good impression is to ensure your home is clean. You should clean all surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas. Ensure you get places like the backsplash in your kitchen and corners. 

Another thing you can do is remove any unnecessary items. If you have old furniture or clothes you never use, it’s best to get rid of them. The less clutter in your home, the better it will look. Start by getting rid of any items that you don’t use anymore or that are broken, or donate them to charity while they’re still in good condition.

Don’t forget the big picture

The overall look and feel Is one room too small or another too large for its purpose? How do the rooms relate to each other? If you’re looking at only one area, you can miss important elements that impact an entire house (like whether there are enough outlets).

When you’re staging a home, it can be tempting to focus on small details that renters might notice. However, home staging should be about the space’s overall look and feel. This is why it’s important to remember not to overdo it with your staging efforts—buyers want to imagine themselves in their dream home.

Instead of focusing on tiny details, it’s best to keep your staging efforts focused on the big picture. This means that you should try not to clutter up the rooms with too many things—allow potential renters to see what their home would look like without the extra elements weighing it down.

Keep buyer’s needs in mind

Sellers should keep the needs of the buyer in mind. When staging your home, think about how you want it to look for a family with young children or a couple. If there are specific changes you can make that would benefit these groups of buyers more than others, then do so.

Remember, what works for one home may not work well with another. What might be perfect for one family is likely not going to fit into another’s lifestyle unless they have similar tastes and interests as yours; however, there are general guidelines that should always be followed when staging your home: keep things clean, make sure everything has its place (no clutter), and don’t forget to make use of accessories like art pieces and mirrors which can add visual interest without overwhelming buyers’ senses.

Let there be light

One of the worst impressions a home can make is feeling closed in and dark. Not only will people not be able to appreciate your home’s features properly, but it will feel smaller and less inviting. Light invites us into a space and brings a happier feeling to a home. 

Wherever the windows are, ensure they’re unobstructed, and you’re getting as much natural light into your home as possible. Those areas will be the first ones to catch someone’s eye. If your home is naturally darker, turn on your lamps and lighting to show visitors how you make due when it’s cloudy outside. 

An absence of light can make a home feel physically smaller. At the same time, a bright room will seem like it can hold more people or furniture because we tend to be drawn to the area and imagine socializing, working, or relaxing in it. 

Remember that potential buyers and renters want a clean, inviting space where they can see themselves living happily for years to come. You want them to fall in love with your house, not just find it attractive enough for an offer. For more inspiration, take a look at our current rental listings.