When selling a home it’s going to be very important as the market changes to make sure that you are putting your best foot foreward. One of the best ways to do that and to add that “wow” factor into selling your home is to stage it. There have been numerous surveys done over the years that show that staged homes sell faster and get more money than homes that have not been staged. Certainly, the basics remain the same, but there are new staging trends you must take into account if you’re a home seller. Some of what once worked well for staging may not work now. With that in mind, we offer these 5 popular staging trends for Kansas City home sellers in 2023.
1. Unusual, Creative Light Fixtures
I don’t think there are too many of us that go into a dark and dreary home and are instantlly impressed with how dark it is. Homes that feel like you are in a cave rarely sell as fast as homes with great lighting. Homes that brighten things up using natural light and well placed quality artificial lighting show much better. A lot of light make a home feel bigger and much more inviting. What is new in staging trends for Kansas City home sellers in 2023 has to do with the kind of light fixtures that now work best.
Lighting has always been a key component when it comes to effective staging. In 2023 that’s no different. You want to see lighting that is creative and that catches the eye. Lights that make a statement and bring a certain feel into a room can make a huge impact on how fast a house sells. So, with respect to light fixtures in staging trends, try these: wall sconces to add the feel of more space, pendant lighting over the dining table, and smart lighting that creates a scene or mood (more on this later).
2. Bold, Expressive Color Schemes
The old adage when getting a home ready to sell was to make the home a blank canvas so potential buyers can imagine their things in the home. Now obviously it’s going to be imporantant for you to remove things like family photos, or your kids artwork off of the refrigerator so that they focus on the house, but now the trend is to make a statement in the home. Instead of painting everything in neutral or even boring colors, home stagers are asking sellers to use vigrant colors.
Bold colors and vibrant hues can serve to draw a potential buyer’s eye to the features and aspects of your home that you want to stand out. Such colors can also draw attention away from less desirable things in the home. Bright colors can make living spaces feel more welcoming and less formal, thus making your house feel more like a home that buyers will want to live in.
These bright colors are great and will make a huge impact, but I know what you’re thinking….I don’t want to paint my house! You don’t have to paint the walls! You can make a statement by using accent pieces such as rugs, curtains, pillows, and even curtains that have eye catching patterns. Before you go out to HomeGoods and buy all sorts of bright accent pieces keep in mind as well that what buyers in the local market will play a role in best color practices. You can consult a Kansas City agent at (913) 708-1185 to find out what will work best color-wise in your market.
3. Bold, Arresting Accents
Similarly, the use of bold and arresting accents is another staging trend to note. These eye-catching accents can be anything from adventurous artwork to decorative items like vases. They will serve to add visual interest to a space and don’t require you to make major changes. And, as with bold colors, these eye-catching accents can help draw buyers’ attention to what you want to emphasize.
Be careful not to overdo it, though, with too many colorful accents that obscure living spaces. Don’t fill a room with so much stuff that buyers can’t see floors and walls. Accents are just that – accents. They should only highlight, complement, and fill in gaps, not draw attention from what should be observed.
4. Incorporation of Natural Elements
This may not be new among staging trends, but it is growing stronger and gaining momentum in 2023. It is the use of natural elements to add visual interest, make spaces seem more inviting, and give a feel of life.
Home sellers, then, should try to incorporate into their staging natural elements such as, say, flowers, foliage, botanicals, and driftwood. These are all items easily acquired and at very little cost. They can work very well to showcase an area or view and draw attention to a home’s outstanding features, all while imparting a sense of well-being, health, and harmony with nature.
5. Integration of Smart Technology
At the opposite end of the staging-trends spectrum lies incorporating smart technology. Although smart technology has been growing in popularity among homeowners, it is now coming into its own as an aspect of staging and becoming an important aspect of staging.
To cash in on this trend and leverage the appeal of smart technology, home sellers should try to incorporate these devices wherever possible. So if you’re a home seller install voice assistants, smart TVs, voice-activated lights, and built-in apps.
Just keep in mind that staging in 2023 isn’t only about aesthetics – it now includes technology. Used correctly, it can add a significant amount of appeal to spaces in your home. So you might even consider incorporating things like smart tables that come equipped with built-in charging stations.
Expert Assistance With Staging Trends
When you stage your home prior to selling and you stage it the right way, it can help you not only sell fast, but even potentially get multiple offers and get an offer that’s more than your original asking price. You absolutely must take into account what works for staging in the local market. So be sure to work closely with your Kansas City agent who will know exactly what your market requires. If you’re a home seller and want to leverage 2023’s staging trends, be sure to contact us today at (913) 708-1185.