Before you put your home on the market, step back and look at it from the eyes of a potential home buyer. If there are stacks of papers on tabletops, shoes piled in the corner, and other clutter spilled around, it's a good idea to learn a few simple tips on home staging before others see it. In a space as person as your bedroom, clutter is particularly easy to pile up. Today we'll discuss what you need to do to declutter the bedroom and make it appealing to buyers.
Why declutter the bedroom?
Aside from the fact that a cluttered room looks messy, it will also give the appearance of a small, cramped space. After all, if buyers think that you don't have enough room to store your things, they'll assume they won't have room for theirs either. Moreover, buyers won't focus on the house itself when a room is cluttered; they'll focus on the clutter instead. So, until your home sells, you'll want to take a moment to pick up every day to keep things neat and organized.
Clutter isn't always junk
When we talk about clutter, images of piles of unused stuff come to mind. While that is certainly one type, clutter can also be caused by too much furniture in a room, too many knick knacks displayed on a table, or an over-sized bed that makes the bedroom feel cramped and uninviting. While your home is on the market, you may have to temporary part with some of your things. But, if it means selling your home, it will be worth it!
Decluttering the bedroom
The bed - Your king size bed may be great to sleep in, but if it takes up too much space guests will conclude that the room is too small. Even though it may be difficult, it's best to move an over-sized bed into to storage and replace it with a smaller one while your house is being shown.
The dressers - If two dressers crowd the bedroom, remove one into storage. It may not be easy, but you can share space with your partner until the house sells. Keep reminding yourself that it will be worth it in the end, since one dresser will make the room look much more spacious.
Other furniture - Move all furniture that is isn't essential out of the room to open up the space. Work desks, over-sized armoires, aquariums (yes, some people have them), and any other bulky furnishings should be removed and stored.
The fireplace - Buyers don't want to see a dirty fireplace, so be sure to clean the hearth thoroughly before showing. Also, remove any collectibles, knick knacks, personal photos, and other items off the mantel. Display a small bouquet of flowers or a decorative vase instead.
Pet bedding - If you have pets that sleep in the room with you, it's a good idea to remove their beds out of the bedroom. Buyers see animals as a source of foul odors, hair, dirt, and dander, and don't need to know that Fido is allowed in the room.
Laundry baskets - Keep laundry inside the laundry basket, not beside or draped over it, and cover the basket with a lid. Don't leave your dirty laundry out for others to see.
Windows - Windows that are dressed with multiple layers of curtains, blinds, and sheer curtains are an eyesore. If you have a nice view from the bedroom window, take down everything but the sheers so buyers can envision waking up and looking outside. If the view is less than appealing, keep windows covered with a lightweight set of neutral curtains.
The closet - Buyers will open up closet doors and peek inside to see how much space they'll have for their belongings, so be sure to keep things you don't want seen out of sight. Believe it or not, closet space is a deal breaker for some people so be sure yours looks great. Take a moment and read over these free Professional Closet Organization Tips and give the closet a quick makeover before showing.
With a few finishing touches, your home is ready to show! Dress the bed with bedding that matches the room's décor, add a few pretty candles, and you're done.
More from Jennifer Wagner:
Cozy Decorating Tips for Your Home
8 Clever Ways to Hide a Television
Source: Personal knowledge
