Styling Your Home for Sale: Simple Tips for Maximum Impact

When selling your home, presentation is key. Styling doesn’t always require full staging—by using existing furniture and adding key touches, you can create a welcoming environment without the expense or time commitment of full-scale staging. A well-styled space not only attracts more buyers but also helps them envision themselves living there. Styling goes beyond tidying up; it’s about creating an inviting atmosphere that showcases your home’s potential.

I previously worked with this client on designing custom joinery for her boys' bedroom (read more here) and thoughtfully selecting pieces around the house to tie her existing décor together. When it came time to list her home for sale, she turned to me for styling advice to enhance its appeal. In this post, I’ll share how I helped her prepare her home with practical tips to make it stand out to potential buyers

Lounge and dining area

Declutter and Remove Personal Items

Decluttering is the first step in styling a home for sale. Buyers need to envision themselves in the space, and clutter can be a distraction. Personal items, like photos and souvenirs, can take focus away from the home’s features and create a feeling of unfamiliarity.. By removing these, the buyers are able to appreciate the layout and potential of the space.

For my client, we began by clearing the boys' bedrooms and other areas, removing anything unnecessary. This created a clean, open space that highlighted the room’s architecture and key features. The goal is not to empty the house but to create a polished, inviting atmosphere.

Principal bedroom

Cleanliness is Key

Cleanliness is crucial when styling a home for sale. A spotless home signals to buyers that the property is well-maintained and increases its perceived value. It’s about attention to detail, from floors to windows and countertops.

My client had hired cleaners to ensure every corner was thoroughly cleaned before we styled for the photo shoot and subsequent open houses. This included deep-cleaning floors, surfaces, and windows, and keeping the bathrooms and kitchen spotless.

A clean home doesn’t just look better—it feels fresh and inviting. It eliminates any lingering odours and creates a welcoming environment. Cleanliness, paired with well-styled décor, sets the stage for a successful sale.

Floral arrangements

Restyling with Existing Pieces & Adding Key Accessories for Impact

Once the clutter and personal items were cleared out and all the nooks and crannies had been cleaned, we restyled the space mainly using the client’s existing furniture and décor. Restyling is a cost-effective way to enhance the home’s appeal without needing extensive purchases, though she made a few small purchases that she could use in her next home.

We focused on reworking the bedrooms, living, and dining areas, with minimal additions to the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry. In the bedrooms, we swapped out the bedding for fresh linens and added new side tables in the principal bedroom to complement the existing furniture. This helped create a cohesive and balanced look.

In the dining area, we restyled the bookshelves by removing most of the books and reworking the shelves, ensuring the space didn’t feel too overwhelmed while still showcasing its purpose.

We then added key accessories like cushions, throw blankets, and fresh flowers to bring life and vibrancy to the rooms. All the bathrooms needed were a couple of clean white towels, a small posy of flowers and a candle. These touches introduced texture, colour, and warmth, making the spaces feel cozy and inviting without being overwhelming.  Fresh flowers throughout the house enhanced the feeling of cleanliness and freshness.

Bedroom 1

Preparing for the Photo Shoot

The photos are often the first impression potential buyers have, so it’s crucial to ensure everything is perfect. Cleanliness and presentation are key, as high-quality images can greatly influence interest in the property.

For my client’s home, we focused on making everything spotless—using fresh linens, wiping down surfaces, and polishing where needed. Neatly arranged cushions, fresh flowers and plants, and styled tables added the finishing touches, showcasing the home’s care and attention to detail.

Tip for Time Management: Prioritise Hero Rooms
Real estate agents often focus on five key "hero" shots of standout rooms. If time is tight, ask the agent which rooms they plan to photograph and prioritise getting those areas ready. This way, you can ensure the most important spaces are polished, and any extra time can be used to tackle the remaining rooms after the photo shoot but before the open houses.

Preparing for the Open House

Preparing for an open house is all about creating a welcoming atmosphere that allows buyers to imagine themselves living in the space. To reduce stress on the day, it’s helpful to have a checklist in place. This ensures everything from fresh flowers and neatly arranged furniture to lighting and temperature is taken care of. Make sure to clean high-traffic areas, like entryways and bathrooms, and ensure that the house is tidy and inviting. A checklist helps you stay organized and ensures that nothing is overlooked, allowing you to focus on making a great impression.

Summary

Declutter: Remove personal items and excess clutter to create a clean, neutral space.

Ensure Cleanliness: A thorough cleaning throughout the home creates a fresh and well-maintained impression.

Restyle with Existing Pieces: Use your current furniture and décor, re-arranging them to highlight the room’s best features.

Add Key Accessories: Introduce cushions, throw blankets, and fresh flowers to add texture, color, and warmth.

Prepare for Photoshoots: Ensure the home is spotless and focus on key "hero" rooms for standout shots.

Set the Right Mood for Open Houses: Create an inviting atmosphere that allows buyers to imagine themselves living there.

Follow up: Thanks to the thoughtful styling and careful attention to detail, my client's home sold prior to auction after just 2 showings and for a great market value. By focusing on key areas like decluttering, restyling with existing pieces, and adding simple yet impactful accessories, we created an inviting atmosphere that resonated with buyers.

Bedroom 2

What the spaces looked like before