'Comfort is much more important because people are staying in their homes for long periods of time,' says Anne Carr. 'We are getting requests for large comfortable sectionals for long Netflix watching with the entire family. 

'Unlike the early 2000s where everyone wanted open concept living, clients are realizing that they need privacy and quiet to work or go to online learning. Many clients are changing room formats so that every family member has an office.

'I think buyers like to see up-to-date furnishings that don't look too cold. There was a trend a while back for everything to be white, but it also has to make people feel like their lifestyle could fit in with this on a daily basis, so it's important not to give any space an impersonal, hotel look. '

10. ADD POPS OF COLOR FOR PERSONALITY

'People do like to see a pop of color in pillows or in an occasional chair,' continues Anne Carr. 'When home staging, we also like to add an element of surprise through art with color. The psychology of color says that the majority of people gravitate towards things that are blue. In more modern homes, we will use a neutral palette with more black than we would in a farmhouse style of architecture.

'In Southern California, the look doesn't really change that much in different seasons, however, we do tend to use more subdued colors in fall and winter. We may add a chunky throw and more organic materials to add texture to the design. Summertime is always a happy time, so we try to throw in some bright colors in our design, especially in the outdoors.

11. MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION BY STAGING YOUR FRONT YARD

'This timeless expression is applicable to selling your home,' says Alex Willcocks, managing director of London-based Burbeck Interiors. 'A buyer's decision-making process doesn’t start once they are in the property, it started 100 meters before that. As such any remedial work or improvement that can be made to the entrance of the property will pay dividends.

'This can be as simple as weeding the path leading to the front door to a new coat of paint on the door itself or investing in some lovely front yard flower bed ideas. Try and clean any windows you can, especially the one at the front of the property. As summer continues new flowers or a hanging basket can give a positive impression, their aroma can also create a good first impression.'

12. USE REAL PLANTS IN HOME STAGING

Using house plants in staging a house can be effective.

'We like to use real plants if it's possible for us to maintain them on a weekly basis,' says Anne Carr. 'Again, it feels less like a hotel to buyers and more like a place they can see themselves living. We rarely use faux flowers, unless they are really high quality and difficult to decipher from the real ones.'

13. DON'T FORGET TO STAGE THE BACKYARD

'If you are lucky enough to have any outside space, you really need to maximize this as much as possible,' continues Alex Willcocks. 'It doesn’t matter if it's 6ft by 6ft or 300ft long, you need to get this to do the selling. 

'Just like with the front of the property, assess what needs to be done to make it as presentable as you can. Treat it as an extra room and home stage it accordingly. Start by measuring your outdoor area and deciding what type of furniture will best suit your needs and lifestyle – a bistro two-seater table and chairs is perfect for romantic al fresco dining on a city balcony, whereas a large sofa set is a good choice for a sociable family household – all these backyard ideas will help.'

14. WHAT NOT TO USE IN HOME STAGING

'I try not to use metallic accents. I feel it is a dated look and can cheapen a room,' concludes Anne Carr.

'I would always advise homeowners to go out when buyers are due to visit – let your realtor show them the property,' says Homes & Gardens Editor in Chief. 'In my own experience, they will feel more relaxed, be more likely to spend more time looking around, imagining themselves living there, and the house will feel less like yours, and more like – potentially – theirs. For this reason, too, de-personalizing is a must. Family portraits should be put away for now and those on the wall replaced with more neutral art.'

15. STAGE A HOUSE TO SUIT ITS AGE AND STYLE

Staging an older home is the same as staging a modern one except that any home will look best if the interior complements the home's age, architecture, and style. Having a cohesive look that runs throughout an entire home can make it look bigger, too.

WHY USE HOME STAGING TO SELL A HOUSE?

Staging a house is one of the easiest and best ways to add value. Home staging incorporates a vast array of different services, from basic decluttering to a complete interior makeover. These, you can tackle yourself, perhaps with the advice of your realtor, although professional home stagers will make the process smoother, quicker, and, potentially, more successful. 

Prices for home staging can vary depending on the scope of the work that needs to be undertaken, however, there is a lot you can do to increase the marketability of your property – and this is what we're looking into here.

WHO PAYS FOR THE STAGING OF A HOUSE?

Homeowners pay for the staging of a house since it is in their interest to gain a quicker offer, sale, and, hopefully, a higher price. 

HOW DO I STAGE MY HOME MYSELF?

To stage your home yourself, follow these simple steps:

• Declutter rooms – put items in storage if necessary.
• Invest in good storage – this will make rooms feel well organized and neat.
• Clean and maintain your home.
• Repaint bright or bold schemes in more neutral, light-enhancing colors.
• Rethink room layouts to make them look bigger.
• Dispose of – or put in storage – old, worn, or very personal items.
• Ensure curb appeal is attended to.

Source: Investopedia & Homesandgardens