If you’ve read anything we have written before, you know we believe in the value of home staging. In fact, we believe in it so much that we offer home staging for free if you list your Calgary property with us! Home staging is incredibly effective when done properly, but it can be expensive to hire a staging company. So, should you not live locally but want to stage your home on a budget, we’ve got you covered with some great tips.
Utilize what you already have.
There’s no need to go out and spend money on items that you already own, just for the sake of staging. You likely have a perfectly good armchair that will be just fine for your staging purposes! The main thing is that you want to ensure the pieces you’re using are clean. Having neutral furniture in your home is optimal, but that’s not the case for everyone. Some of us like bright colours and more vibrant pieces. So, if your chair is mustard yellow and it’s the centrepiece of your living room, try adding more subtle, neutral decor pieces.
Switch out the bulbs.
A cost-effective and straightforward way to stage your home is to replace the dim bulbs. Professional stagers will leave lights on before viewing, so you want to make sure your home is looking bright! You can get bulk bulbs to cover a few different rooms, so this is a great way to cover some of the basics on a budget. Look for bulbs with at least 100 watts to brighten up the place.
Use slip-covers for ageing furniture.
If your couch looks worn, you will want to avoid using it as is. That doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy a new sofa, though! All you need to do is invest in a slip-cover to put onto your couch. You can also use them to cover older chairs. Try finding slip-covers that are neutral tones, such as beige, brown, grey, navy blue, etc. You want to make sure your home looks as neutral as possible.
De-clutter your space; it’s free!
Arguably, the most critical piece of the staging puzzle is de-cluttering. But if you’re planning to move, this is something you’ll have to do anyway! Start by packing away personal belongings and anything else that only makes sense to you. Things like family photos and mementos shouldn’t be displayed when it comes to staging. Clear your counters and remove appliances, things like coffee makers, toasters, diffusers, etc. Clutter crowds the view, and it looks messy; you want your home to speak for itself. Add meaningful touches like plants and nice artwork.
Give the illusion of height.
A ceiling makeover might not be in the budget, but the good news is that you can use items to give the illusion of higher ceilings. This is the time to capitalize on vertical mirrors and elongated decor and artwork. Buyers love the feeling of high ceilings, but not every home has that. So by adding tasteful decor, you can really play into the idea that things look higher than they may actually be. Another great way to do this is by hanging curtains well above the window, meaning you will put the rod 3-5 inches above the top of the window. Long curtains give the appearance of a higher ceiling.
Paint away the old.
If you are on the hunt to update your home by keeping within a budget, paint will be your very best friend; it is the ultimate DIY hack that won’t break the bank. You don’t need to paint every wall in your house, but even brightening up a few window sills can make a big difference! A quart of paint can cost only around $20, and it will be more than enough to breathe some new life into your space. Painting your front door or an accent wall are excellent, cost-effective additions as well.
In the end…
There is no doubt that home staging has been proven to be worth the effort and resources. It can certainly be costly if you hire a staging company, but the good news is that you can do it yourself! It will take you some time to have your home staged properly, but with these tips, you should be well on your way. If you are looking to stage your Calgary or Edmonton home, Realty Unleashed is here to help. Reach out to us here!
