‘Staging’ is the art of showing off your property to its best advantage. It can range from simply decluttering and brightening the place up with new throws and cushions, to bringing in rented furniture, artwork and window dressings. You want to create a warm, clean and inviting look. Good staging can make a huge difference to the price that you get for a property… but there are a few pitfalls.

Staging Do’s

• Your first stop is to declutter. That includes getting rid of excess or bulky furniture. The idea is to go for a minimalist look that shows off the architecture of the property rather than your belongings. Once you’ve done that, snap a few photos to assess the effect – and keep going until you’re happy with the results.

• Take a good look at what furniture is left; does it group together well? Move it around and get rid of more until it works.

• Your ‘spare room’ needs to have a purpose. Turn it into a proper guest room, an office or a playroom, depending on your target market.

• Pack away excessively personal items such as family photos, magnets on the fridge holding miscellaneous notes, children’s toys, and pet paraphernalia. These may seem cute and homely to you but tend to detract from the visual effect.

• A tired kitchen can be dramatically improved by installing new doors or even new handles.

• Make your bathroom look like a high-end spa with rolled towels and accessories such as wooden stools and wicker baskets.

• Think about lighting. Get dimmers fitted if it’s too bright; add accent lights if it’s too dark. You can also use candles for evening viewings to create a softer atmosphere.

• If your paintwork is dingy or too bold, repaint in neutral colours. You may think this is too much effort but it will pay off.

• Add vases of flowers or potted plants in strategic locations.

• Invest in some new cushions and throws with bright colours if your furniture is very neutral or looks tired and worn.

• Look at home magazines to get ideas on how to use objects to draw the eye, such as a set of vases or a pile of antique books.

Staging Don'ts

• Don’t spend more than you are likely to recoup in the sale.

• Major remodels are best left to the new owners, who will want to do it their way. The same usually goes for a brand new kitchen or bathroom.

• Borrow or rent furniture if yours is a disaster… but don’t buy it new. The buyers are likely to want to choose their own.

• Going overboard is a common problem; if your ‘accessories’ start to look like ‘clutter’, you need to retreat.

• Avoid themes, such as nautical or paisley; it’s not to everyone’s taste. Keep it as simple and neutral as possible.

• Don’t forget about the front of the house – that’s the first thing that everyone will see. Make sure it looks its best.

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