Home Staging Services: Simple Changes Go a Long Way

1. Unify a kitchen by streamlining the color of the cabinets and the appliances. Here is a kitchen with white cabinets and a black dishwasher. The dishwasher is less conspicuous when it's the same color as (or similar to) the cabinets, and your eye is drawn to window instead of the mismatched appliances. The white dishwasher in the picture below was actually found on Craig's List for $100. There is also something called appliance paint and this is how to use it if you want to change the color but not the appliance.

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2. Define the space. This bedroom was used as a closet because of the lack of closet space in this old home. Instead of drawing attention to this fact, the room was staged as a nursery in order to showcase the room's original purpose.

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3. Depersonalize and accessorize. Store all personal items and photographs so that potential buyers aren't distracted by them. Depersonalizing also allows potential buyers to see themselves living in the house more easily because they imagine their personal things in the home rather than yours. Below, the personal picture frame above the bed was exchanged for a painting (that was found in another area of the house) and the monogrammed pillow was removed.

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4. A new coat of paint can make all the difference. The shelving and walls below were painted neutral colors which make them look clean and the room more spacious. Arrange a few things on the shelf, in groups of three, to give it purpose and to show off the space.

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5. Organize. Make sure that all pantries, built-ins, bookcases, closets, basements and attics are organized and free of too much clutter. Use baskets, bins and boxes to organize items, especially smaller ones, on open shelving.

6. Go green. Add color and freshness to a room by adding greenery. Real greenery is preferred over faux, but if you aren't living in the house or if the room is too dark, go for plants and flowers that look as real as possible. Target has some great faux floral as does TJMaxx, Michaels and Marshalls. The first two shown below are under $25 at Target. If you decide to use real greenery, buying freshly cut flowers can get expensive if your house is on the market for a few months. Opt instead for potted plants or fresh cuttings from your yard. Magnolia leaves, tree branches with nice leaves or flowers or something similar to pittosporum in a vase will work perfectly.