Key insights:
- Don’t skip the holidays completely! Focus on bringing out the best features of your home with holiday décor.
- Keep your lighting simple so you don’t turn off buyers who aren’t jiving with the holiday spirit.
- Use fresh greenery to help your home’s exterior pop against the white winter landscape.
Holiday home staging requires a delicate balance. It’s important to focus on your home’s top features while still embracing the season tastefully. We collected insights from top Edina Realty agents and HGTV so you can expertly stage your home to sell over the holiday season with success.
Interior staging tips
Do consider your tree space
Remember to consider the size of your room before you buy a holiday tree. You’ll want to decorate with a tree that complements the space and creates the illusion of a larger room. If you buy a tree that takes up too much room in an already tight space, it could make your room look small and potentially turn off some buyers.
If you have a two-story great room, on the other hand, HGTV recommends using it to your advantage by purchasing a tall tree that draws out the room’s impressive height.
Don't clash with existing home décor
Make sure your holiday décor adds to your home’s current color and design scheme. "If your living room has a clean, all-white color scheme, skip the clashing red garland and opt for a white tree, white candles and silver glass ornaments. If you've got an earthy color scheme, accent with rich tones like cranberries, forest greens and gold," recommends HGTV.
Do accentuate the positive
Just as you would stage throughout the rest of the year, use accessories to draw attention to your home's best features. Whether it’s a string of garland hanging on the mantle of a crackling fireplace, a menorah lighting up the living room window or other small additions, be sure you are drawing out (but not hiding) the home’s most impressive areas.
Don’t cover up the negatives
Holiday décor can be used to accentuate your home’s best features, but don’t use a snowglobe or ornamental stocking to cover up anything that buyers should see and know about. During any time of the year, it’s important to disclose necessary information to potential buyers.
Exterior staging tips
Do use real greenery
"Adorning the front porch or walkway with potted spruce tops shows an effort in making a house a home. And, when all else is barren, fresh greenery is all the more beautiful," said Jen Kyllonen, an Edina Realty agent from the 50th and France office.
Don't overdo the lights
Holiday lights are a great way to brighten up your home’s exterior, but it’s important to create a simple and classy setup. In other words, be sure your home stands out at night — but don’t fight to be your neighborhood’s Clark Griswold.
It’s selling season!
If you’re thinking of staging a home to sell, it’s time to talk with a local expert about putting your home on the market. Reach out to Edina Realty or one of our agents today for a free, no-obligation estimate of your home’s true market value — and get a jump start on selling your home this holiday season.
