Tips and Tricks to Staging Your Luxury Home

Staging a home for the high end of the market is different from the usual. Here’s how to maximize your home’s marketing potential.

1. Know your buyers
   Top-tier buyers are discerning, and they won’t compromise on their wants and needs. They’ll scrutinize every single detail, so make sure your home is free of cosmetic defects. This shouldn’t be an issue if your property has been properly maintained. But it’s advisable to spruce up your home for the sale – give it a new coat of paint if necessary, and fix what needs fixing.

   Make sure everything in the home – from the furniture right down to the drapery – is of the highest quality. Staging is a great opportunity for homeowners to take out any fine items they have in storage and put them on display. A professional stager can help you get the right mix of furnishings.

2. Go neutral
   Luxury properties are distinctive – you’ll find more than a few homes with elaborate tiles, stamped-copper ceilings, and other unique features. But going neutral can also help you appeal to as many potential buyers as possible.

   Neutral colors, such as beige and off-white, convey understated elegance. A neutral palette also makes it easier for buyers to picture any changes they want to be made to the property.

3. Pay attention to detail
   Luxury home staging often calls for dramatic detail. The property was likely designed by a top architect, whose work goes beyond the usual crown moldings and woodwork. Emphasize unique features like, say, a vintage fireplace or bent glass windows.

   Make sure everything is in its right place, from the china in the dining area to the fancy soaps in the master bathroom. Top-tier buyers and their representatives will scrutinize every small detail of the home.

4. Highlight certain rooms
   The master suite usually takes center stage during home viewings, so pay extra attention to this room. Make it as inviting as possible – spare no expense when it comes to pillows, beddings, and ambient lighting. If you’re banking on private amenities like wine cellars and home theaters, you’ll have to make these rooms stand out as well.

   The entrance foyer and the main room are the first areas buyers see upon entering the home. You only have a few seconds to make a great first impression, so make these spaces memorable.

5. Use fresh flowers
   Plastic plants and flowers can detract from the elegance of your home. Use potted plants and fresh-cut flowers. Choose vases that complement the overall look and feel of the room. If you want something that’s low maintenance, then succulents might be a better choice. Whatever greenery you decide to bring in, it should play up the strengths of your home.
6. Put the right art pieces on display
   You can leave your personal collection on display, but some Realtors advise homeowners to partner up with a gallery. This way, you can rotate some quality artwork in your home. This also gives the gallery plenty of exposure – top-tier buyers tend to be art collectors themselves and might take interest in the pieces.
7. Neutralize strong odors
   Scent can help create a unique and fitting ambiance for each room. Make sure your home smells good – if you love to cook and certain food scents cling to the kitchen, you’ll have to neutralize the odor. The same is true if you have pets living with you.

   Once you’ve neutralized the odor, you can bring in some scented candles, reed diffusers, or premium scenting machines. Smart scent diffusers are starting to make waves among luxury homeowners, so you might want to invest in one.

For more information about Bridgewater and Basking Ridge, NJ real estate, get in touch with me today at info(at)pagnottahomes(dotted)com or 908.436.7947.