Even if you use that extra room as storage, don’t stage it that way. You want to get as specific as possible: turn it into an office, a play area, even a bar to show buyers your home’s potential.
Sometimes homes have quirky or odd-shaped rooms that set them apart from other homes in the neighborhood. Turn this extra room into a positive!
When we say “extra room,” we’re not talking about your typical guest bedroom, but the little alcove off of the kitchen or master bedroom. It’s not technically a separate room because it’s either not big enough or it doesn’t have a door, and maybe you haven’t used it for anything other than storage until now. This happens a lot with dens, lofts, and nooks. But we’re going to show you how to stage these small and perhaps awkward rooms so that buyers will see them as a bonus and not a waste of space.
Home Staging Tips for Sellers: Research Your Target Buyer
In 2017, a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that 77% of buyers were able to visualize themselves in the home because of the way it was staged. But they had to first identify with the style and use of the rooms.
That means in order to stage your house properly, you’re going to have to know who you’re selling to. How do you find that out? You ask these questions:
- What is my area known for?
- What types of people already live in this neighborhood?
- How is my house different from other homes in the area?
- Are there any new companies or job opportunities bringing people to the neighborhood?
If your area is known for its school system or if you are within walking distance of a park, your house may be attractive to young families. If you’re in a more urban environment, think of young professionals or empty nesters. Are you in the trendy part of town? Maybe it’s an artist who will place the winning bid.
Stage the room with one purpose. Don’t try to appeal to everyone by showing every possible way a buyer could use the room or alcove. Space will lack focus and the buyers will be confused.
How to Stage a Kitchen to Sell Your House
Depending on the size and shape of the room, a kitchen alcove could be used as an extended pantry or a playroom for a family with young kids. If your target buyer is someone who might need to work from home, turn it into an office. You can even turn the alcove into a bar for entertaining if you’re trying to attract a younger, hipper audience.
How to Use that Room off the Master Bedroom
Sellers usually stage these bonus rooms, as they’re often called, as a sitting area for reading or watching TV. Sometimes they add a desk and lamp to turn it into a home office. But if you’re in a neighborhood with a lot of young families, why not turn it into a nursery? Even if the room doesn’t have a door, buyers can visualize what it would look like if they added one.
Turn that nook on the stairs into a cozy reading spot by adding a comfy chair, side table, and lamp. It’ll help buyers see the different facets of your home.
Decorate with Adjoining Room in Mind
If you’re creating a children’s play area off the kitchen, make sure the large kid stuff, such as tables and toys match the décor of the larger room. If you’re creating a nursery adjoining the master bedroom, keep the colors gender neutral and if it’s a reading lounge or bar you’re after, make it look like it’s part of the larger room. The decor should match and the layout should allow smooth traffic flow from one space to the other. You’re trying to give the buyer an idealized image of what’s possible, not the picture of what it will actually look like.
