Guest Blog: How to Successfully Stage a Property

By Tali Leggett, head of rental design at David Phillips

Rightmove has reported that online viewings are at some of their highest levels over the holiday period. Put yourself in pole position to achieve a sale or secure a tenant – whilst marketing activity remains strong and buoyed by low interest rates – with a staged property.

When staging a property for potential buyers or tenants, it is all about showing your property’s best side to enhance its desirability and market value – from period features to modern facilities – while at the same time bringing warmth to the space that people can relate to.

Although investing in a company to stage your property is an added cost, it is important for the property to feel like a home. Presenting an empty or outdated home can make it much harder to sell or rent, so staging is the best way to elevate your property to its full potential.

Creating a sense of space

Whether a studio apartment or a larger house, it is important to declutter and choose furniture that truly emphasises the space and gives a sense of flow throughout each room. Think about the function of each room in order to choose each individual piece of furniture. For smaller spaces, be clever with design and opt for multi-functional pieces that not only look good, but serve a purpose – such as ottoman beds. Trick the eye into thinking there is more space by selecting furniture with legs, enabling you to see more of the floor. Adding a large mirror to a room will add light and give the feeling of more space.

When staging, do not forget the garden! Make sure it is tidy and if space is available, include tables, chairs and other accents such as pot plants to really make it stand out. For smaller gardens, keep it simple and clear to best emphasise the space.

A memorable experience

As well as showing off the space in its best form, it is important to create an experience for the potential buyers or tenants when they are touring the property. With the key furniture

pieces in situ within the home, people are able to imagine how their own items and lives would fit into each room, creating more of an emotional connection with the home.

Soft & natural lighting

Lighting is one of the most important parts of staging. Allow free space around windows and doors, and take advantage of the home’s natural light by opening all blinds and curtains to best showcase how the light works in each room.

Try and avoid harsh light when setting the scene and instead go for soft lighting. There are various ways to enhance a space with lighting to create a cosy and lived-in environment. Pendant lighting over bar areas or dining tables can really create an intimate feel. In a study or hallway, add in desk lamps so the lighting is focused and sets a more atmospheric mood. In bedrooms, contemporary table lights with large lampshades are a great way to add brightness to a room – especially if a smaller, darker space. For larger bedrooms, add floor lamps to make a statement.

A sense of place with cosy touches

When staging, it is important for the property to look aspirational, but also homely. Make sure to include rugs, curtains and soft furnishings, to avoid the property looking too sparse, as well as decorative items such as vases and candles.

House plants also do wonders to make the home feel fresh and inviting. If space is on your side, place the plants strategically so as not to overwhelm any one area.

If you are showing your home in the run up to the festive period, don’t be afraid to add subtle, festive touches or even a Christmas tree if the space allows. Look to stage seasonal table place settings and dressings as a great way to inject personality into a table. For a more refined look, mix different tones of the same colour to create a theme.

Highlight points of interest

Whether it’s a wood burning stove, wooden beams or floor to ceiling windows, make sure to highlight these points of interest to tenants or potential buyers – not only during the show around, but also with the design and furniture. Use a variety of colours to make these areas pop.

Staging can be one of the most beneficial projects as a homeowner or landlord when selling or renting a property. Follow these steps and your home will inevitably be a winner. And if this all sounds too much like hard work, get in touch with David Phillips to do it for you!