DIY Home Staging Tips to Help Sell Your House Faster
Thinking about selling your home? You’re probably wondering how to make it look its best without spending a fortune. The good news is, you don’t need a professional stager to get your home ready for potential buyers. With a few simple changes, you can create a space that feels clean, inviting, and easy for someone else to picture living in.
Home staging helps your house shine in photos, showings, and open houses. It’s about showing off the home’s best features while making it easy for buyers to imagine themselves living there. And yes, you can absolutely do it yourself.
Let’s walk through some DIY home staging tips that can help your house sell faster, and maybe even for more money.
1. Clear the Clutter and Make Space
One of the first things buyers notice is how much space a home has—or doesn’t have. If your rooms feel crowded or full of stuff, it’s time to pare things down. Start by removing anything you don’t need for daily living. That means clearing off counters, thinning out bookshelves, and storing away seasonal decor.
The goal is to make every room feel open, clean, and easy to walk through. If you have bulky furniture or extra boxes sitting around, it might be time to move them out of the house. You don’t have to toss everything—just store what you won’t need while your home is on the market.
If you’re starting to pack for your next place anyway, this is a great opportunity to get a head start. For larger items or boxes, a local moving company can help you pack and transport things to your new home or a short-term storage unit. It’s one less thing to worry about while juggling everything else that comes with selling a house.
2. Deep Clean Every Room
Once you’ve decluttered, give your home a serious deep clean. This step makes a bigger difference than most people think. Clean every surface, from baseboards to ceiling fans. Scrub the floors, wipe down walls, and make sure mirrors, windows, and glass doors shine.
Buyers notice smells, too. Open the windows while cleaning to let in fresh air. Skip strong air fresheners and instead go for clean, natural scents like citrus or lavender if you want to add a subtle touch.
A spotless home gives the impression that it’s been well cared for. That helps buyers feel more confident about their potential purchase.
3. Rearrange Furniture for Flow
The way you live in your home might not be the best way to show it. When staging, think about how people will move through each room. Can they walk around without bumping into anything? Does the room feel open or cramped?
Try pulling furniture away from the walls to create cozy conversation areas. Remove anything that blocks windows or pathways. The goal is to show how spacious the room can be, not how much it can hold.
Keep it simple. You don’t need a lot of furniture to make a room feel complete—just a few key pieces arranged in a thoughtful way.
4. Add Neutral Touches
When buyers walk in, you want them to picture themselves living in the space. That’s easier to do when the color scheme is calm and neutral. Bright colors or bold patterns can be distracting, even if you love them.
Stick to soft grays, warm beiges, or white tones for bedding, pillows, rugs, and curtains. You don’t need to repaint the whole house unless the walls are dark or bright, but switching out a few colorful accessories can make a big difference.
Neutral tones also make rooms look bigger and brighter, which is exactly what buyers are looking for.
5. Bring in Light
Open all the blinds and curtains before showings to let in natural light. If a room still feels dim, add a floor lamp or table lamp to warm it up.
Don’t forget to clean your windows inside and out. You’d be surprised how much more light comes in when there’s no dust or streaks on the glass. The goal is to make the space feel cheerful and open.
If you’re showing your home in the evening, make sure all your light bulbs work and match in color. Warm white light usually looks the most inviting.
6. Make the Entryway Stand Out
The front door is the first thing buyers see in person. A welcoming entryway sets the tone for the rest of the visit. Start by making sure the area is clean—sweep the porch, wipe down the door, and get rid of any cobwebs.
Consider adding a fresh doormat, a couple of potted plants, or even a wreath. If your door looks faded or worn, a quick coat of paint in a classic color can make it feel brand new.
Inside, keep the entryway clear of shoes, bags, and clutter. You want buyers to walk in and immediately feel at home.
7. Style the Kitchen and Bathrooms
You don’t need a full renovation to make these rooms shine. Start by clearing everything off the counters—yes, even the toaster and coffee maker. Just leave one or two items that look nice, like a cutting board or a bowl of fruit.
In the bathroom, hang fresh white towels and put away personal items like toothbrushes and razors. A small plant or neutral candle can add a spa-like touch.
Swap out outdated cabinet hardware or light fixtures if your budget allows. These small changes can make a big impact.
A little effort goes a long way when it comes to staging your home. You don’t need to spend a ton of money or bring in a pro. Just focus on making your space feel clean, open, and welcoming. Remove clutter, highlight the home’s best features, and keep everything simple and neutral.
Home staging doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Take it one step at a time, and soon enough, you’ll be handing over the keys to a happy new owner—and settling into your next home.
