Regardless of whether the interiors are revamped by a designer, by the homeowner, or with the aid of a digital tool (including AI), the objective remains the same: to showcase the property.
By redecorating, carrying out a few minor renovations, or rearranging the furniture, with home staging you can completely transform a room without breaking the bank. And this is exactly the point!
In other words, the home staging process seeks not to enhance a residence artificially, but to highlight its true potential by helping buyers look beyond personal tastes, clutter, or a dated decor. And by the same token, motivate them to schedule an appointment with the sellers at the notary’s!
How to Apply Home Staging in Practice
You have three options open to you (based on your budget and situation):
With a designer (for the seller)
Useful for luxury, atypical, or difficult-to-sell properties, where a professional’s vision helps maximize perceived value. That said, this service can cost the seller a few hundred dollars. The professional may just give you their ideas, or they may go further by making purchases and handling the work themselves.
DIY (for the seller)
If you have a good sense of style, you can carry out your own improvements without turning to a professional or artificial intelligence. This is an excellent approach when it comes to small changes: decluttering, painting, rearranging furniture, adding lighting.
Virtual home staging (for the seller or the buyer)
Artificial intelligence is now at our disposal, and there are numerous home staging applications available, many of which are free. These tools are particularly handy when it comes to staging empty houses or properties in need of renovation. And if you’re visiting homes as a buyer, these apps can also help you picture yourself in the home.
If You’re Selling: Home Staging to Inspire Confidence
Buyers not only want to fall in love with a property; they want to feel secure in their choice.
In a context where inspections, future costs, and maintenance are key concerns, good home staging goes a long way towards dispelling unwarranted doubts and refocusing attention on the property’s main features.
Here are the most effective steps:
Thoroughly declutter
Removing up to 30–40% of visible objects makes it easier to appreciate a room’s true dimensions. A house filled to the brim with stuff always feels small, no matter the actual square footage. Reorganize or store any unnecessary objects out of sight.
Adopt a consistent colour scheme
Very dark walls, a thematic decor, or bold choices often hinder potential buyers’ ability to envision themselves inhabiting the home as its owners. Light, neutral colours enable buyers to clearly imagine how they might make the space their own.
Make the most of natural light
Lighting plays a crucial role. Sheer curtains, well-chosen lighting fixtures, and strategically placed mirrors can transform a room’s ambiance, especially in winter.
Clarify each room’s function
A basement that simultaneously acts as a storage space, a playroom, and a home office can feel chaotic (unless each area is precisely delineated). Home staging helps assign a clear function to each space: office, family room, guest room, etc.
Complete simple repairs
A loose doorknob, small holes in the walls, a missing electrical socket plate—take some time to walk through your home to identify quick fixes you can tackle yourself.
Potential buyers will greatly appreciate a home staged in a practical manner. Moreover, digital tools can also provide ideas and suggestions. Discuss home staging with your real estate broker to see if your property could benefit.
If You’re Buying: Home Staging as a Visualization Tool
For buyers, home staging is not only useful for getting inspiration: it can serve as an analysis tool.
Here, the redecorating can only be done virtually (until the buyer becomes the owner, that is!). For this, AI home staging tools are particularly fast and effective.
Concretely, home staging allows buyers to
- distinguish between decor elements (simple and inexpensive) and what involves actual renovation work;
- imagine their own furniture in the space;
- gain a better understanding of a room’s dimensions, flow, and function.
For example, a cluttered bedroom may appear too small, whereas once it has been cleared of excess items and reconfigured, it can easily accommodate a larger bed and chest of drawers.
A poorly planned living room can feel cramped when all it simply needs is a new layout.
A fresh coat of paint can spruce up an outdated, pink-tiled bathroom.
The Basic Tenets of Successful Home Staging
- Stay true to the property’s character and condition.
- Adapt the style to the target market (for example, in a very family-oriented neighbourhood, a property with child-friendly rooms will attract more interest).
- Focus on functionality, not on impressing buyers.
Happy home staging!