If you’re like many people, you know how important home staging is when you’re selling a home in Scottsdale – but you’re also not sure what to do with the dining room. How can you stage a dining room to position your home to sell quickly and at the right price? This guide will get you started.
How to Stage Your Dining Room to Sell Your Home in Scottsdale
Staging does more than just put your home’s best “foot” forward – it helps you sell a lifestyle that prospective buyers want for themselves. That means the dining room is an important space to stage properly, so here’s how to tackle it:
- Clean from top to bottom
- Remove anything that makes the space appear cluttered, including furniture
- Think about adding a fresh coat of paint
- Update your fixtures
- Add a mirror and some art
- Create a tablescape
Here’s a closer look at each.
Dining Room Staging Tip #1: Clean from top to bottom
The first thing to do before you start staging any space is to clean it from top to bottom. For many people, the best idea is to hire a professional cleaner. A professional will work quickly and efficiently to get every spot (even the ones you wouldn’t ordinarily think of), freeing you up to focus on more important things. Then, all you have to do is maintain the space while your home is on the market (which shouldn’t be long if everything goes well).
Dining Room Staging Tip #2: Remove anything that makes the space appear cluttered, including furniture
If there isn’t a clear walking path around your dining table, you may need to take out a leaf – or even invest in a smaller table you can use for the time being. Aim for at least 36 inches of space behind every chair. If you have a table that seats eight, leave only six chairs; likewise, if you have a table that seats six, leave only four chairs.
Now is the time to remove buffets and sideboards that make your dining room appear small, as well. You don’t have to get rid of them, but you should consider putting them in storage until your house sells.
Dining Room Staging Tip #3: Think about adding a fresh coat of paint
If it’s been a while since your dining room saw a fresh coat of paint, pick a neutral color and go for it. Talk to your real estate agent about the color, though – in some areas, bright and bold dining rooms sell; in others, muted tones are best. Color preferences even vary by season, so ask your agent for some input about what’s working right now.
Dining Room Staging Tip #4: Update your fixtures
If your light fixtures and switches are more than a few years old, it may be time for a simple upgrade. Home improvement stores typically have a huge range of styles and finishes to choose from, and you can usually get a new light fixture for under a couple hundred dollars. Talk to your REALTOR® before you invest, though – fixtures stay with the house when you leave, so it’s a good idea to make sure it’s a worthwhile investment before you rush out and buy something new.
Dining Room Staging Tip #5: Add a mirror and some art
If you don’t have a mirror facing your dining room window, now is a good time to add one. Mirrors can visually multiply your space and make it brighter – two things that buyers really love to see. You can also add tasteful (and neutral) art to your dining room walls to make it a more inviting space.
Dining Room Staging Tip #6: Create a tablescape
Less is more when it comes to your dining room table. Don’t go all-out and put up full place settings as if you’re having a formal dinner party. Instead, a few tasteful placemats and a centerpiece – or even just a centerpiece – will serve you better than a bunch of dishware will. A fully set table feels too formal in many homes, and it’s also a little unrealistic for most people. Save yourself the work and keep things simple.
