Staging Your Home For Sale
Disassociate - The first step in staging a home is to disassociate
yourself from the home.  You must look at the home as a product
that is being sold.  You want to sell a house and you want your
buyers to buy a home.  Your home holds special memories and
there is a special attachment to it.  You must let go of that
attachment.  Picture your self handing over the keys and say
goodbye to each room.  It is time to look ahead to the new home
you will live in.  

After you have done all that needs done to establish your curb appeal, it is time for one of the most
challenging steps toward preparing your home.  Staging a home is all about showing your home in its
best light.  It is about making your home cleaner, brighter, lighter, more spacious, and in short, making
prospective buyers want to buy it.  If this sounds good, read on.

You may want to consider hiring a professional staging company to guide you or perhaps do all the work
for you.  Most staging companies offer a variety of services.  Click here for more information.
Depersonalize - Purchasing a home can be an emotional decision.
 As difficult as it may be, pack up those family photos and
collectibles you treasure so much.  You want prospective buyers to
be able to see this as their home and imagine their own family
photos on the walls and they can't do that if yours are still there.  
Declutter & Clean - People buy homes that appear spacious and
bright.  Simply removing excess items in bookcases, counter tops,
tables, china cabinets, kitchen cabinets and drawers and closets
sign of a poorly maintained home.  So get a head start on your
packing!  Have a garage sale for items you don't need!
Kitchen & Bathroom
Closets and Storage Areas
Kitchens and bathrooms sell a home.  Your want
these rooms to seem light and airy.  The kitchen is
the heart of the home.  
 You want these areas to appear roomy enough for
the new home buyers belongings.  You don't want
them to appear "full" or "stuffed"
Keep your counter tops cleared.  You want the
buyer to be able to see the space available for their
items.  
 Neatly arrange clothes and towels in closets.  Pack
items away not in use or that are seasonal.  
Put countertop appliances away.  Throw out or
store items not regularly used.  Clear out cabinets
and drawers.
 Organized and neat closets and storage areas will
also give the appearance that your home is well
maintained.
Polish all the fixtures to make them look new.  If
polishing does not work, you can replace at a
minimal cost.  
 Keep items in storage areas (garages, attics,
storage rooms) to a minimum.
Make sure all drawers and cabinets are in working
order.  Buyers will want to look at everything.  Oil
squeaky hinges.  Repair drips and leaks.  Check
water pressure
 Have a garage sale or consider renting a small
storage unit.  You want the buyer to see the amount
of space in those areas of the home that offer
storage.  
Furniture
 Staging is more than just clearing out rooms.  It is
about home design.  Staging should allow your
rooms to show themselves.  Use the tips below to
guide you:

  • Polish kitchen cabinets with Orange oil to
    bring them to life.
  • Place a centerpiece of polished fruit on a
    counter or a few brightly colored cookbooks.
  • Flowers and greenery on accent tables or
    end tables, dressers or desks to add color.
  • Bathrooms should appear airy and
    cheerful.  Towels tied with ribbons and
    decorative hand soaps add a nice touch.
  • Set the table - both in a formal dining room
    or breakfast nook or even a breakfast bar.  
    Do a complete setting with bowls on top of
    plates, glasses, folded fabric napkins.  You
    won't believe the result.  No silverware.  
    Complete with flowers in the center.
  • Hang inexpensive landscaped or floral
    pictures and add mirrors to make rooms
    look larger.
  • Give your master bedroom a romantic feel.
Be careful not to have too much furniture in one
space.  The more furniture in a room, the smaller
the room appears.  
Remove any furniture that is in disrepair or worn.  
Again, well maintained furniture leads the buyer to
believe that the home has been well maintained.  
Have a garage sale or consider renting a small
storage unit.  You want to ensure your room looks
as spacious as possible.
[ Yahoo! ] options
Search here for more info
on staging
Read more about home improvement dos and don'ts or return to
the run down of preparing your home for sale.

Follow this link to get more information on the concept of staging
from the creator of "Staging".