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How to stage a house for sale inexpensively
One of the most budget-friendly home staging options is virtual staging. A form of home staging where everything takes place on your property’s photos.
Staging traditionally on a budget is challenging but possible with careful planning and strategy.
If you’re a homebuyer or a real estate newbie looking to maximize your staging effort with a low budget, this blog post is for you!
By George Nicola (Expert Stager)
We’ll provide tips such as prioritizing the most important rooms in your home, renting or borrowing furniture and art items instead of buying them new, doing some of the work yourself if time allows, and shopping sales & second hand stores for bargains.
Home staging offers the highest ROI in the industry at 25 percent, as opposed to second at one percent for carpeting/flooring and third at one percent for minor kitchen remodeling, according to an analysis by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Our Free Staging trial for one photo is a great option for budget home staging.
How does it work? Send us a photo of your empty living room or bedroom and our team of stagers will add virtual furniture – saving you at least $500 per room.
Read ahead to discover how to make it look like an impactful statement while sticking within your allotted budget and selling a home.
Inexpensive Staging Ideas to Get your home in shape
For those who don’t have to read the entire article, Here are some cheap ways to show a home:
Clear out the clutter. Remove any extra things in the house to make it look bigger and more open.
Deep Clean: Clean the house from top to bottom, including the windows, carpets, and furniture. This will make the space look nicer and better-taken care of.
Rearrange Furniture: Move the furniture around the house to make it look more open and roomy. Use furniture and other items to make each room’s focal point.
Make Repairs: Fix anything that needs to be fixed around the house that might turn off buyers.
Add Color: Use colorful accents like throw pillows to make the room more attractive.
Rent Furniture: If you don’t want to buy everything you need to stage the house, you could rent furniture and accessories.
Emphasize the walk score or location by pointing out the nearby amenities or using maps or photos to show how close the home is to things like public transportation, restaurants, shops, etc.
Show off the home’s unique features. For example, if the home has a great backyard, a home office, or something else that buyers would be interested in, show it off.
Keep reading for the extended version with even more focused tips.
Prioritize rooms when Staging house on a budget
When you decide on your budget, the next thing to tackle is the game plan.
Prioritize the elements that will have the greatest influence on potential buyers.
If you have a real estate agent consult with them, they may give you some directions on what to do. Typically, agents work with staging companies and can point you toward a professional staging company that only offers consultation.
Staging consultation
You can engage a professional staging consultant for advice and direction rather than having them physically prepare your property.
Many professional stagers provide consultations during which they can advise you on how to best prepare your house for sale, including decluttering, moving furniture, and making minor repairs.
A consultation can be a low-cost approach to acquiring professional advice and designing a staging plan for your house while still allowing you to complete the job yourself. The stager can provide you with a list of things to accomplish, furniture and accessories to buy, general styling, color schemes, and more. Then you can continue with the plan and work at your own pace.
It’s important to remember that different professional stagers offer varied service levels; some are more hands-on, while others are more consultative. As a result, convey your goals and desires to the stager and inquire about the service options they provide.
There is also the option of virtual staging, which is the digital version of home staging. You can read more on that later in the blog post.
Staging tip: While ensuring the entire house looks presentable is critical, some aspects are more vital than others.
For example, because the exterior is the first thing purchasers notice when they pull up to your property, it may be more beneficial to focus on the exterior (curb appeal) before handling the interior.
If, on the other hand, the house’s inside is in disrepair, it may be more profitable to address such issues initially to make a favorable first impression on purchasers.
Your home’s individual demands and qualities will determine the optimum solution to get your home in shape.
When looking for staging ideas for your property, consider these variables.
As previously stated, the exterior of your home is the first thing purchasers see when they arrive, so it’s critical to make a solid first impression.
The lawn, landscaping, and general curb appeal:
Make sure the grass: is cut and the edges are clearly defined. Clear the flower beds of weeds and rubbish.
Fill in the blanks with color: Plant flowers or decorate the front porch or doorway with colorful pots.
Make minor repairs: Repair any broken gates or fences, and repaint or repair any peeling paint or chipped wood.
Solar-powered lights are an inexpensive and simple way to add atmosphere to the front of your home.
Include some greenery: A few strategically placed plants or trees may bring life and interest to your front yard.
Organize the front porch: Sweep the porch and remove any clutter. Make it more inviting by adding some outside furniture or art piece.
Focus on showcasing: the most significant elements of your yard and making the most of what you have if you need more cash for big landscaping modifications.
High-traffic rooms: Because the living room, kitchen, and main bedroom are frequently used and observed home parts, they must be in good shape.
Severe flaws: If your home has significant flaws, such as a leaking roof or obsolete plumbing, you should remedy those concerns before staging it. These flaws might turn off potential buyers and reduce the value of your home.
Preferences: The most significant rooms to re-design will ultimately be determined by your personal preferences as well as the unique necessities of your home. Take a step back and analyze your home honestly, considering which areas require the most improvement and which will impact potential bidders the most.
Living Room:
- When staging your living room, focus on creating an inviting atmosphere in which buyers can envision themselves.
- Make sure furniture is arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way, and declutter any unnecessary items.
- If you have limited funds, consider adding a pop of color with throw pillows or blankets that match the room’s color scheme.
You can add some wall art or hang curtains for texture and warmth.
Kitchen: If possible, invest in updating hardware such as cabinet knobs and drawer pulls to make your kitchen stand out from other homes. Kitchen hardware doesn’t have to cost hundreds, but it’s essential to be the right one.
Additionally, consider replacing outdated appliances with more modern ones if within budget constraints.
Lastly, ensure all countertops are clean and free of clutter so potential buyers can get a good sense of how much usable space there is throughout the house.
Bathroom: Here are some pointers for prepping a bathroom for staging:
Thoroughly clean the bathroom, scrub the shower and bathtub, clean the toilet, and rinse all surfaces.
Make minor repairs. Repair any leaks, drips, or other minor issues that arise.
Remove any extra goods from the bathroom and organize the remaining items, such as toiletries and shower curtains, to produce a tidy and spacious appearance.
Fold fresh, clean towels and add a few decorative things, such as candles or plants, to create a spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom.
Improve lighting and make the most of natural light by leaving windows and blinds open during showings and open-home events. Consider adding more illumination, such as a new light fixture or a dimmer switch, if the bathroom is inadequately lit.
We know tons of home staging tips, and are budget friendly staging company!
Key Takeaway: In conclusion, while staging to sell your home on a tight or no budget, it is critical to emphasize the aspects of the house to wow buyers.
This covers the home’s outside (curb appeal), high-traffic rooms like the living room, kitchen, and primary bedroom, and any severe flaws that must be remedied.
Personal tastes and your home’s individual needs should be considered when determining which areas to prioritize.
By focusing on five key areas, you can make your property more desirable to buyers and boost your chances of selling your house for top dollar.
Rent or Borrowed Furniture and Decor cost less
Renting or borrowing furniture and decor is another effective way to save money when you’re staging to sell.
Online rental services are becoming increasingly popular for those looking to furnish their homes without breaking the bank. There are places where you can find cheap tips.
Prospective buyers like owners who sell their homes in pristine condition. If you are not experienced in bidding, hire a professional or someone who you do know, it’s good to achieve top results.
These services offer access to high-end furniture, art, and accessories at a fraction of the cost of buying new items. They also provide convenience as they deliver and pick up the items directly from your home.
Friends and family can also be great resources when furnishing your home on a budget.
Many people have extra furniture that they would love to get rid of – all you need to do is ask.
You may even find someone who has recently purchased something new who would be willing to loan out their old piece until yours arrives – make sure both parties agree on terms beforehand, so there aren’t any misunderstandings later.
Always watch for sales and discounts when renting or borrowing furniture and accessories.
Home improvement stores often have clearance sections where you can find good deals on items such as lamps, rugs, curtains, etc.
In addition, online shopping sites such as Amazon regularly run promotions offering discounted prices on select items throughout the year.
Additionally, local charity shops usually host weekly specials where certain items are marked down significantly – take advantage of these offers whenever possible.
If you are willing to go a step ahead, furniture auctions are a great place to find amazing furniture, wall art, and even appliances.
Online auctions: Because of how online auctions for furniture work, there may be quality pieces at a fraction of the retail price. Savvy home sellers often aim for something distinctive or unusual.
In this instance, auction sites like eBay make sense as venues where customers may buy products cheaply while receiving exactly what they want regarding appearance/quality/functionality.
Key Takeaway: If you’re are looking for cheap home staging ideas, a great budget-friendly approach is renting or borrowing furniture and wall art, shopping around charity shops and flea markets, asking friends and family for items, and taking advantage of sales.
In this post we’ve explained how several factors can affect the cost of a renovation project.
Budget-friendly staging ideas: Do Some of the Work Yourself.
Think twice before painting dark colors on walls.
Painting and Wallpaper Installation: Painting and wallpaper installation can be a great way to spruce up a room without spending too much money.
If you’re looking for an easy DIY project, consider painting the walls or installing wallpaper. You can find affordable neutral paint at most home improvement stores and online retailers like Amazon.
Also, look for deals on discounted rolls from sites like Etsy or eBay for wallpaper. Then, with some patience and practice, you can quickly install your wallcoverings.
Dark colors are more expensive than light ones, so if you’re on a tight budget, stick with white for now. Dark colors can be so expensive because they reflect light poorly (they absorb it instead), which means that they have a less visual impact than lighter hues.
Lightly textured walls also look better because they don’t reflect as much light as smooth ones; this makes them appear larger than their actual size suggests and gives them a sense of spaciousness that makes rooms seem bigger overall.
Cleaning and Organizing Spaces: Cleaning and organizing spaces is another great way to make a room look more inviting, being budget-friendly. Start by decluttering any unnecessary items that are taking up space in the room – this will help create an open feel that buyers will appreciate when they walk through the door.
Next, dust everything well before vacuuming carpets or mopping floors if necessary. Finally, add some simple touches, such as flowers or candles, to bring life into the space while keeping it budget-friendly.
Are you looking for affordable solutions to home staging?
Key Takeaway: A key takeaway from the above is that budget-friendly staging doesn’t have to be difficult. You can make a room look more inviting with simple tasks such as:
• Painting and wallpaper installation
• Cleaning and organizing spaces
• DeclutteringDecluttering unnecessary items
• Adding small touches like flowers or candles
In this post we’ve explained how DIY home makeover not only has the potential to change the trajectory of their life, but it can also be a rewarding experience.
Stage a house with Shop Sales and Thrift Stores for Bargains
Shopping at sales and second-hand stores is a great way to save money when staging a home on a budget.
- Home improvement stores often have clearance items that can be used for stagings, such as furniture, rugs, curtains, and other decors. These items are usually discounted because they’re last season or out of style.
You should take the time to look through them carefully; you may find something perfect for your space at an unbeatable price.
- Local thrift stores and Facebook markets are other great options for finding unique pieces that won’t bankrupt you. You never know what treasures you might uncover in these shops – from vintage furniture to one-of-a-kind artwork – so spending some time browsing around and looking for deals pays off.
- Flea markets are another option where you can pick up interesting finds at bargain prices; make sure whatever item you buy is in good condition before taking it home.
Shopping around these places is often hit or miss, but you may find some real gems if you have patience.
Be sure to inspect any used item carefully before purchasing it to know its condition before bringing it into your home.
- Local house clearances are another great place to get your home ready using cheap pieces of furniture. Often sellers who are moving or need more time to deal with everything or the cost of cleaning is too much for them.
You can not only help them with their home but help make your home sell as well.
Check every room in the house for decor pieces related to your home: a dining room table, chairs, fixtures, vintage light bulbs, or art.
When trying to furnish your space on a budget, online shopping deals should be noticed. Many retailers offer discounts during certain times of the year or even daily flash sales, which could bring down the cost of furnishing your space if timed correctly.
Additionally, many websites are dedicated solely to helping people find bargains online; these sites list coupons and special offers from different retailers, so keep an eye out for those.
Best scenario tip: Get decluttered if you have a garage or storage space, and store all your pieces. Make sure your home is mostly a clean canvas when you start planning.
Staging tip Even more ways to maximize your staging budget
If your budget is very tight and you can cover only the decluttering and cleaning part of the budget-friendly tips above, it will still make a difference in the eyes of buyers.
Virtual stagers became very popular during the lockdown periods between 2019 and 2022.
We offer Virtual Staging at £47 / $58 and £60 / $73 per photo depending on the condition of each space
How does it work?
- you take photos of your space with our photo-guide
- send the photos to us
- we do the staging in a related to home style
- staging comes out
- the listing goes live
As a budget-friendly staging company our service is 100% done online, allowing clients to save money by taking pictures of their vacant or furnished homes.
It’s also the most affordable option if you’re on a tight budget, but still want to see the biggest impact from your staging efforts.
Holding an open house once you've staged your property on a budget
Here are some recommendations for holding an open house once you’ve arranged your property on a budget:
Set the temperature to a reasonable level, listen to gentle background music, and use lighting to create a warm and inviting ambiance.
Open all curtains, blinds, and lights to ensure the property is well-lit, making your home appear larger and brighter.
Keep the house smelling fresh: Use air fresheners or burn candles with pleasant aromas to keep the house smelling fresh and clean.
Make sure the house is clean and neat: Before the open home, give it a quick, clean, and tidy one to ensure it is in show-ready condition.
Highlight the home’s best characteristics: Make sure the home’s best features are prominently shown during the open house.
Prepare to leave: It’s great if the homeowners leave the house during the open house so potential purchasers can explore and ask questions freely.
Have professional marketing materials: Having professional marketing materials, like brochures or flyers, showcasing the important qualities of your house or community is a smart idea.
How to Prioritize rooms when Staging house on a budget
There are a few things to consider when prioritizing rooms when staging a house on a budget.
- First, consider which rooms will most likely be seen by potential buyers.
For example, the living room and kitchen are typically a house’s two most important rooms. - Another thing to consider is which rooms will impact potential buyers the most.
For example, a well-staged bedroom can make a big impression, even if it’s not one of the most visible rooms in the house. - Lastly, consider which rooms will be the most challenging or money pit.
For example, a large room with high ceilings may be more challenging to rearrange than a smaller room.
With all of these factors in mind, prioritize the rooms in your house accordingly.
- Have your home for sale professionally cleaned before the open house.
- Tidy up any clutter and put away items that don’t belong in each room.
- Clean windows, mirrors, and glass shelves so they look sparkly clean.
- Move furniture around to make the living room, dining room, and bedrooms look bigger than they really are.
Staging your house for cheap can be a manageable task.
Start by decluttering and deep cleaning, add simple touches like fresh flowers or plants, new linens, and towels, and rearrange furniture to create more space.
You can also use mirrors to make rooms appear larger, paint walls in neutral colors, and hang artwork that complements the style of the home.
Finally, consider renting furniture if needed – an affordable way to give your home a polished look without breaking the ba
Staging your home for free is possible with a few simple steps.
- First, declutter and remove any personal items that may distract potential buyers from seeing the true beauty of your home.
- Next, rearrange furniture to create inviting spaces and add color with fresh flowers or plants.
- Finally, use natural light to brighten dark areas by opening curtains and blinds during showings.
With these easy tips, you can re-design to sell your home without spending money on professional services.
Staging your house yourself can be a great way to increase its value and make it more attractive to potential buyers:
- Declutter and depersonalize the space by removing any personal items or furniture that may distract from the overall look of the home.
- Use neutral colors on walls and floors for a clean, modern feel.
- Add accents like throw pillows, artwork, plants, or rugs to bring warmth and personality into each room.
These simple steps allow you to rearrange your house without breaking the bank.
Staging an empty house is a great way to help potential buyers a home feel and how they could make it their own.
It can also increase the home’s perceived value and create a more inviting atmosphere for visitors.
Staging can also help highlight features that may have otherwise gone unnoticed, such as unique architectural details or spaciousness.
Ultimately, staging an empty house is worth attracting more buyers and getting a higher sale price.
Conclusion
Home staging on a budget effectively makes your home look its best without breaking the bank.
By prioritizing the most important rooms, renting or borrowing furniture and decor, doing some of the work yourself, and shopping sales and thrift stores for bargains, you can maximize your home staging budget while still achieving great results.
Also, remember to get multiple quotes when hiring professionals, and consider using virtual staging if necessary.
With these strategies in mind, you’ll be able to rearrange your home on a budget confidently!
In this article we dapped into 5 virtual staging makeover tips for your home
