Stand Out from the Competition with a Staged Home

Staging your home is a surefire way to help your home stand out from the competition. While the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms are three areas that shouldn't be overlooked, the remaining rooms in your home are just as important.

Take the dining room for instance. While it's true that many millennials might prefer to give up the room altogether for a larger entertainment room or office space, for other prospective buyers, a dining room is an important component of a house.

After all, the dining room is where most of the family meals are eaten, and the space where guests are entertained. Plus, the dining room can act as a wonderful showcase room for your china, glasses and other flatware.

The best way to stage a dining room is to showcase it as if it's being decorated for a fancy dinner party. Put out your best place settings, use fancy linens, add some decorative candles, and play
on a buyer's emotions. Give them the chance to envision what it would be like to host their own
elegant dinner in the room.

Chairs should be pushed completely under the table so people aren't blocked from walking around. Paying attention to this simple detail will also give the room a larger feel. And the dining room table should be cleaned and polished so that it shines.

Depending on the size of the dining room, additional furniture can be added, especially if there's an opportunity to show off a nice china cabinet. However, be sure to avoid having extra chairs or a wine rack in the corner, as this will only make the room look smaller.

Most dining rooms are lit by chandelier, an item that can go a long way toward attracting a
prospective buyer's eye. If your current chandelier is dingy or doesn't give off much light, now's a good time to think about an upgrade. Chandeliers don't cost too much and a new one can make a world of difference. Plus, you could always take it with you (as long as the buyer knows it's not part of the package). If you don't plan on incorporating new lighting into the area, make sure whatever lighting you have in place works properly. You'll also want to ensure that it's clean, and that it doesn't hang too low.

And last but not least, consider your window treatments carefully. If your dining room features heavy curtains that block the window, be sure to tie them back before prospective buyers visit.
If you're willing to throw the curtains in with the house, make that clear up front.

For more dining room staging tips, contact our office today.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.