The living room is the focal point of most homes so it’s crucial to showcase it in the best light possible. That’s where the art of staging comes into play. By following a few key tips, such as creating engaging focal points, bringing in a bit of greenery, and arranging your furniture just so, you can transform your living room into a space that potential buyers can’t help but fall in love with. In this blog post, I’m going to share some straightforward staging strategies to help make your living room the star of the show.
Declutter
Decluttering is the number one rule in staging and is the first step when getting your home ready to show. Most homebuyers want large spacious living areas so tidying up the living room becomes especially crucial. A cluttered space can give the impression of a cramped and confined area, far from the expansive retreat potential buyers seek. Investing in smart storage options like baskets, shelves, or other solutions can be a game-changer, ensuring your living room presents itself as both tidy and inviting.
Get a New Area Rug
An area rug can instantly transform a living room, making it more inviting. Choose a rug that not only fits the size of your living room but also complements your existing colors and decor. For smaller living areas, opting for a lighter-colored rug can create the illusion of more space. Moreover, a rug can define the seating area, adding a cozy and welcoming touch. Typically, you’ll want the front two feet of your seating to rest on the rug, while the back remains off, perfectly balancing the look and feel of your space.
Stage the Mantle
If you have a mantle, this will usually be the focal point of your living room, and it’s essential to stage it with care. An attractive way to style your mantle is by adding artwork, candles, and small decorative items that complement the room’s overall color scheme. Do not overcrowd the mantle, just a few items will do.
Stage the Coffee Table
The coffee table is an essential piece of furniture in the living room and should be staged accordingly. A few coffee table books, a vase, and a bowl of fruit can create an elegant display while also adding necessary color and texture. When staging the coffee table, remember the rule of three (see Create Vignettes Using the Rule of Three).
Use Furniture That Fits
In staging your living room, selecting furniture that complements the size of the room is essential. It’s important to resist the temptation to fill the room with too much furniture. Choose pieces that match the room’s scale to enhance the flow and visually expand the space. A helpful home decorating guideline suggests keeping approximately 70% of the floor area clear to avoid a cluttered appearance. Additionally, maintaining a minimum walkway of 30 to 36 inches between larger furniture pieces is recommended for ease of movement and a well-balanced layout.
Stage Furniture Around a Focal Point
Whether it’s a fireplace or a large window, every living room needs to have a focal point. When staging your living room, arrange your furniture around the focal point to create a sense of balance and visual interest. This will draw the eye in and make the room look more inviting.
Float Furniture Away from Walls to Make the Room Look Bigger
It might sound counterintuitive, but positioning your furniture away from the walls in a smaller living room can give the illusion of more space. Creating a gap between your furniture and the walls opens the area, fostering a sense of openness and fluidity throughout the room.
Give a Purpose to Awkward Space
Some living rooms come with their own set of quirks, such as corner nooks or narrow passageways. Instead of letting these areas go unnoticed, assign them a purpose. For instance, a reading nook can be beautifully carved out in a corner with the addition of a comfortable chair and a quaint table, or a narrow entryway can be transformed with a striking piece of artwork to create a visual centerpiece.
A key aspect of staging is not just beautifying a space but also demonstrating its potential uses to prospective buyers. The last thing you want is for a buyer to be puzzled over how to utilize an awkward space. Proactively solving this dilemma for them can make your home easier to sell.
Create Vignettes Using the Rule of Three
Vignettes are small groupings of items that draw the eye in and create visual interest. When creating vignettes in your living room, use the rule of three: group three items together to create a balanced look. For example, you could group a vase, a framed photo, and a decorative object together on a side table or bookshelf. Make sure to vary the height and textures of the items to add visual interest.
Add Some Green
Incorporating green plants into the living room for staging purposes breathes life into the space, adding both color and vitality. Plants have a unique way of making a room feel more welcoming and lived-in, while also offering a touch of nature’s tranquility. Whether it’s a tall, leafy fern that fills a bare corner or a series of small succulents adorning a coffee table, each addition contributes to creating a more inviting atmosphere. Strategically placed, they can also help direct potential buyers’ attention to areas of interest or distract from less appealing aspects of the room.
Use Bright Uniform Light
Lighting is one of the most important factors that can make your living room look more spacious, bright, and inviting. Replace your old and dim lighting with new bright uniform lighting. Not only will it help to highlight your living room’s best features, but it will also make the space look bigger and brighter. Consider using table or floor lamps to add more light in darker areas and add “layers of lighting.”
Utilize Mirrors
When staging, you can never go wrong with a mirror. Mirrors can work wonders in making a living room feel larger and more open. Consider adding a large mirror on a wall opposite a window to help reflect the natural light and make the room feel bright and airy.
Use 60-30-10 Color Rule
The 60-30-10 rule is a color scheme employed in interior decoration to achieve a balanced and visually appealing living room. According to this rule, 60% of your living room should feature a neutral color, 30% should incorporate a secondary color, and 10% should include an accent color. Applying this rule will result in an aesthetically pleasing living room that is both neutral and strikingly beautiful, ensuring harmony throughout the space.
Curtains
Positioning your curtains just a few inches below the ceiling can dramatically alter the perception of your living room, giving it a more expansive feel and creating the illusion of added height. While curtain rods are commonly placed midway between the top of the window frame and the ceiling, elevating them further—ensuring a minimum of 2 inches clearance from the ceiling—can enhance this effect. This simple adjustment not only elevates the room’s aesthetics and adds a touch of sophistication.
Incorporating white curtains into your living room can also transform the space. Beyond their timeless elegance and style, white curtains will help brighten the room. They reflect natural light, contributing to a more open, airy, and inviting atmosphere. This combination of strategic curtain placement and color choice can significantly impact your living room’s overall feel, making it appear larger and brighter.
Use Artwork Rather Than Personal Pictures
While it’s tempting to hang all your family pictures in your living room, it’s not always the best idea when it comes to staging. Potential buyers want to be able to imagine themselves living in the space, so consider replacing family portraits with pieces of art.
Revive Hardwood Floors
If you have hardwood floors in your living room, make sure they are in a good condition. Revive them by sanding and refinishing them if needed. Gleaming hardwood floors can add so much character and warmth to your living room, and it’s one of the best investments you can make in your home.
Conclusion:
Staging your living room is an important task when it comes to selling your home. It’s critical to make sure that your living room is attractive, functional, and inviting. By using these tips, you can make your living room look stunning and exceptional, and that might be the difference in getting an offer on your home or not.