Are you looking to sell your home this upcoming moving season? Getting a home ready to be shown can be daunting, but with a few necessary steps, you’ll be on your way to making that sale. Our interior design experts share a few tips on what steps to take before putting your house on the market. We recommend giving yourself a few months head start before Spring and Summer so that you’re not scrambling in the heat to get everything put together.

• Declutter

In this special case, you’ll want to pack up personal photos and books in a box that can be tucked away in a closet or cabinet when the house is being shown. You want potential buyers to feel like they can picture themselves in your home, which can be hard to do when you’re confronted by a gallery wall of someone else’s family. 

Then it’s time to play the old, “keep, toss, storage” game. As you prep your home for someone new, you’ll most likely be in the market to buy, yourself. So start decluttering your closets and home by organizing the items and clothes you want to keep, donating the items you don’t want to take with you, and making plans for the items you will potentially want to keep in storage. We find that using a color coding post-it system for boxes can help keep things organized. For example, a pink sticky note for items to keep, purple sticky note for boxes with items to be tossed, and yellow for storage.

• Deep clean

Invest time in cleaning your house to get rid of dust, dirt and any stains. Homebuyers are often looking for a blissfully clean model home, and oftentimes it’s worth getting some professional help to make it look immaculate. Wipe down all baseboards, clear cobwebs from ceiling corners, wipe down the fridge, and bleach all tile grout. Buyers don’t want to see someone else’s dirt and grime in their potential new home!

• Make small repairs

Nail holes in the wall? Broken furniture? Outdated bed spread? These small, but noticeable details can distract a buyer from the value of your home. It’ll likely take you just one weekend to make a lot of small updates that can make or break a deal. For more major repairs, start planning way in advance to book professionals to avoid the rush of the upcoming moving season.

• Set the Stage - Make it feel like home

But for someone else to visualize themselves in it. There’s never been a better time to try the neutral, all cream everything trend that raids instagram feeds! You want to cultivate a cohesive, neutral style so that potential homebuyers can easily see themselves right at home. 

If you made some unique paint color choices in the past, consider re-painting in a neutral color to make the home appear more universal.

We recommend getting inspiration from some of our past clients, like Diana’s modern living room below.

Or Hannah’s cozy transitional, farmhouse living room featured here.

Don’t forget about the dining room. Check out this modern farmhouse dining room.

Hosting an open house, but don’t know where to start? No problem! Our designers are here to help you whenever you’re ready to help you set the stage for just $49. Start you project here, today!

• Upgrade your curb appeal

First impressions are everything! Mow the lawn, trim the bushes, sweep the porch, and ensure that your house number is clearly visible. If a buyer can’t see the walkway to get in, it’s

less likely they will want to enter the house for a viewing.

With a little elbow grease and organization, any home can be a clean slate for a potential buyer. And, if you need a little help with the finishing touches, we’re always ready to help with any design dilemma you’re facing.