When you make the decision to sell your home, you’ll inevitably find that a whole bunch of other decisions are sure to follow: When do you go to market? What price do you ask for? What marketing strategies is your listing agent going to use? And what steps are you going to take to help showcase your property in the best possible light?

That last point? Well, another way of putting that one is: How are you going to stage your home?

Staging a listing is all about styling and furnishing your home, in order to make it as attractive as possible to prospective buyers. Staging is about helping to make it as easy as possible for every person who walks through the door or views your listing online to see themselves living in the space.

Among real estate pros, it’s no secret that staging your home can be an incredibly important step for drawing in potential buyers. In fact, according to a 2019 survey from the National Association of Realtors, 62% of seller’s agents agree that staging leads to less time on the market. About half of all seller’s agents also say that staging can contribute to a 1-10% increase in dollar value offers from buyers. Among buyer’s agents, meanwhile, about 40% say that their clients are more willing to see a home that they found online if it is staged in photos and videos.

As a seller, when you decide to stage your home, it’s important to have a strategy. There are many different ways to stage a home, including renting all new furniture and design elements, or leveraging the furniture you already have. Keep in mind that staging, like so many other aspects of real estate, goes through trends. There will always be “hot” ideas to try, and tried-and-true methods that have proven successful over time.

So, with that in mind, what aspects of staging may help your space the most? What do buyers seem to be responding to positively in 2019? Whether you’re aiming for taking on a small or large staging project, here are a few tricks and trends for sellers to remember in 2019:

Staging Isn’t Just For Interiors

When you first think of the word “staging,” you might associate it with inside fixes, such as changing up your paint color or updating your furniture choices. While those areas of the home are going to take a good deal of time and attention, don’t skip over the part of your home that buyers see first - the exterior of your property!

Remember, prospective buyers are going to get their first impression of your property from the second they pull up to the curb (hence the old “curb appeal” terminology).

Keeping your yard trim and well-maintained, touching up the exterior color of your home, sprucing up your garden and hedges, and simplifying your outdoor decorations can all help make sure that crucial first impression is a good one, and appeal to buyers who value a pretty property. According to data cited by Think Realty, “landscaping can increase resale value by up to 14 percent” - because first appearances really do matter to potential buyers.

At the same time, don’t forget the backyard, and any outdoor entertaining areas, like patios, balconies, or rooftops. Similarly, many buyers can be turned off by a messy garage or shed, so don’t overlook those important indoor/outdoor rooms, as well.

Choosing the Right Colors, Patterns, and Textures

While we all have unique preferences when it comes to the looks and aesthetics of our homes, remember that future buyers may not respond well to a brightly colored accent wall or an outdated design scheme. As a seller considering staging and marketing your home, one of the first conversations you may have with your broker will be about depersonalizing your space. That often means getting rid of the eclectic or off-the-wall choices that make the home feel less welcoming to newcomers, or modernizing out-of-date finishes that could be a turn-off to prospective buyers.

So, what’s thoroughly modern for 2019? When it comes to color, Home Staging Resources says that current trends for 2019 include painting with natural, calming tones such as blues, while also playing with warmer colors that can be accented with muted tones via furniture and decorative pieces.

Wall color won’t be the only place that buyers’ eyes gravitate when viewing their potential new home. If buyers are interested in your property, they’re going to be heading from room to room, and definitely eyeing highly valued spaces, such as the kitchen, bathroom. Mixing metal finishes into your spaces -  including brass, rose gold, and stainless steel fixtures and elements - is a popular interior design trend that can help to modernize your space, according to a 2019 report from Creative Home Stagers.

Add Some Green Touches

Popular culture is a bit plant-obsessed right now - so bringing some nature indoors may be the perfect finishing touch as you get your home ready to show to potential buyers.

While it might seem like a hassle to purchase fresh flowers or greenery when staging your home, future buyers will notice these little touches, and respond accordingly. Plants can help make a space feel brighter and larger. They can help make a room feel authentically lived in. And as an added bonus, fresh flowers and some greens can help make a room smell fresh and clean - and may even help to purify the air throughout your home.

It’s important to consider how your flowers and greenery choices might quietly compliment the colors of your staged space, or, conversely, add a pop of brightness to a more neutral room.

At the end of the day, fresh flowers are welcomed by potential buyers and can liven up your home for your enjoyment, too, making them a great staging trick to remember for 2019 and beyond.

Talking With Your Broker About Staging

After you’ve figured out which parts of your home need the most aesthetic help, remember that staging and decorating are not the same task. The end goal of staging is to draw in buyers and help them see the full potential of the house or condo, while decorating more often caters to the current owners’ taste. This is about making the quick, easy, and cost-effective choices that help buyers connect with your listing.

Making staging choices can be confusing, but it’s not a step to selling your home that has to be done solo. Want to talk about staging in Chicago with an experienced team of real estate experts? Real Group RE would be happy to keep the conversation going!

Every day, Real Group RE helps Chicagoland buyers, sellers, and renters to achieve their real estate goals. Whether you’re new to the housing market or consider yourself a seasoned pro, reliable guidance is always a good idea when it comes to making important financial decisions, like buying or selling a home. We can talk about any questions you may have, and help refer you to a trusted service provider for even more expertise and insight. Ready to chat? Don’t hesitate to get in touch today!