Home Staging Checklist

HOME STAGING CHECKLIST

Þ Less is more - remove enough so that there is some empty space in closets, on shelves and in cabinets.

Þ Remove or hide all small kitchen appliances.

Þ Remove all refrigerator art, family pictures, school schedules, magnets, calendars, etc.

Þ Pack up all personal photos

Þ Remove all personal items from bathroom, tub and showers...shampoo, toothpaste, brushes, used towels…

Þ Remove and store seasonal clothes from closets

Þ Rent a storage space.  Remove all visible storage boxes from closets and garage.

Þ Remove unneeded furniture to make rooms look larger.

Þ Remove dated or worn furnishings and accessories.  Display only updated new looking items.

Þ Remember, “One will do.”  When accessorizing surfaces, remember that for staging purposes one item is better than 2 or more.  One vase or clock on a fireplace mantle shows off your home better than 2 or 3 items.

Þ Use mirrors generously.  A mirror at the end of a long hallway makes the home look larger and relieves and cramped feeling.  A mirror opposite the bathroom vanity pushes walls back and makes small bathrooms larger.

Þ Paint the interior of the house and the front door.

Þ Repair, paint or wash all exterior walls, doors and trim.

Þ Power-wash exterior concrete and other hardscape to unify surface color.  It will make these areas look bigger.

Þ Replace old carpeting and flooring.  Be sure that any remaining carpet, drapery or upholstery hold no odors.

Þ Wash the windows, inside and out.  Remove unnecessary screening.

Þ Arrange a minimum number of towels in bathroom racks and put out fresh soap.

Þ Inside, use fresh flowers in vases.  Decorate outside with planters and potted plants.

Þ Remove some furniture to open up the rooms.  Rule of thumb: Consider eliminating half of all furniture.

Þ Decorate the patio or deck with flowerpots and enough furniture to show that it is usable living space.

Þ Furnish covered porches with small outdoor tables and chairs to turn them into obvious living spaces.

Þ Landscape.  Use perspective.  Looking out from the house, vertical elements should diminish in size as they retreat from the house.  This elongates sightlines and visually moves property boundaries further away.

Þ Air the home by opening windows and doors.

Þ No Drips!  Repair all plumbing, faucets, running toilets.

Þ Clean or repair/replace worn caulking around tubs, sinks, countertops.

Þ Deep-clean entire house, oven, fireplace, garage, etc.

Þ Enhance fireplace firebox with candles or decorative logs.