Home Staging Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home

Feb 13, 2024

Proper staging can make a significant difference when selling a home, but even small home staging mistakes can cost you time and money. At A Dural Staging & Design, we specialize in vacant home staging to help properties in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas sell faster. Whether you’re a realtor or homeowner, avoiding these common pitfalls can make your home more appealing to buyers.

Mistake #1: Overloading Rooms with Furniture

A well-staged home should feel spacious and inviting. One mistake many sellers make is adding too much furniture, which can make a room feel cramped and cluttered. Instead, use fewer, well-placed pieces to emphasize the room’s layout. As we’ve discussed in our vacant home staging tips, the goal is to show the home’s potential while allowing buyers to imagine their own furniture in the space.

Mistake #2: Neglecting Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is crucial, as it sets buyers’ first impression of your property. A neglected exterior can deter buyers before they even step inside. Mow your lawn, clean your entryway, and add a fresh coat of paint or stain to your front door to improve your curb appeal and add value for buyers. When it comes to curb appeal, the National Association of Realtors emphasizes that an inviting exterior is just as important as the interior when selling a home.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Minor Repairs

Even minor repairs can affect how buyers perceive the property. A leaky faucet or broken doorknob might seem small, but buyers often see these issues as red flags. These seemingly small issues can distract them and chip away at the perceived value of your property.

Fix these minor issues before listing your home. We stress taking care of minor issues and updates in our staging consultations, where we share that even a fresh coat of paint or new hardware can make a huge difference in how a home is viewed.

Mistake #4: Using Personal or Outdated Decor

Another common mistake is leaving personal items or outdated decor in the home. The furnishings and decor you use to stage your home will have a powerful impact on how buyers feel about the house and its overall value.

Buyers need to envision themselves living in the property, which is hard to do when it’s filled with family photos or bold design choices. Swap out personal decor and dated furnishings for neutral accents and modern furniture that appeal to a wide audience. We recommend keeping the decor simple and modern to give your home a broader appeal, which helps it sell faster​.

Maximize Your Sale with Professional Staging

Avoiding these home staging mistakes can significantly improve how buyers see your property, helping you sell faster and for a higher price. Professional home staging is an investment that pays off. At A Dural Staging & Design, we know the Dallas and Fort Worth markets and how to stage homes to stand out. If you’re ready to stage your home, contact us today to get started.