15 Staging Tips to Help Sell Your Home for More Money

Selling a home in Toronto’s vibrant West End can be an exciting yet challenging journey. Whether you’re nestled in the charming streets of High Park North or the busy avenues of Bloor West Village, the real estate market here is competitive. As the Smith Proulx Team, we know firsthand how effective home staging can significantly affect how quickly your home sells and the price it fetches. Even if you’re not planning to sell right away, staging can give your home a fresh and modern look that you’ll love.

We’ve put together 15 staging tips that are not only geared toward homeowners preparing to list their house or condo but are also perfect for anyone wanting to give their home a stylish makeover. These tips range from simple and easy-to-implement ideas to more involved strategies that may require a bit more effort but yield substantial rewards.

Simple Staging Tips

Simple staging tips are easy to implement and often involve minimal effort or expense. These straightforward changes can have a surprisingly significant impact on how a home is perceived by potential buyers.

1. Decluttering and Depersonalizing

One of the easiest and most impactful things you can do is declutter and depersonalize your home. Many homes in Toronto’s West End, like those in Bloor West Village or Swansea, are charming older properties. By removing personal items and excess clutter, you create a clean, neutral space that allows potential buyers to envision themselves living there. This is especially important in older homes, where space might be limited, and buyers need to see the full potential of each room.

• Organize and store belongings out of sight: Use storage bins or rent a storage unit if needed. This can be particularly useful for smaller spaces often found in older homes.
• Create a neutral and inviting space: Consider removing family photos and personal memorabilia to help buyers imagine their own items in the space.

2. Fresh Paint and Neutral Colours

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home’s appeal. Many older homes in areas like High Park North feature beautiful, but sometimes dark, woodwork and original details. Neutral colours can brighten these spaces and make them feel more modern and spacious.

• Choose the right shades: Opt for soft greys, beiges, or whites, which can help to neutralize any dated elements in an older home.
• Transform and brighten a space: A simple paint job can make your home look newer and more inviting without overshadowing its original charm.

3. Adding Greenery

Adding a touch of greenery can bring life and vibrancy to your home. Plants are an inexpensive way to enhance any room’s atmosphere, and they can complement the classic architectural features found in older Toronto homes.

• Choose low-maintenance, attractive plants: Consider succulents, potted herbs, or indoor trees. These can add a touch of nature without requiring too much upkeep.
• Enhance ambiance: Strategically place plants to complement the decor and bring attention to charming nooks or original features of the home.

4. Appealing to the Senses

Creating a welcoming atmosphere involves engaging all the senses. Subtle scents and soft music can leave a lasting impression on potential buyers, especially in older homes where musty odours or creaky floors might be present.

• Use pleasant aromas: Light-scented candles or use essential oil diffusers with soft, inviting scents like lavender or vanilla to create a cozy feel.
• Play soft background music: Choose instrumental or mellow tunes to create a calming environment that can help mask any ambient noise typical in older homes.

Moderate Staging Tips

Moderate staging tips require a bit more effort, time, and possibly some investment. These changes often involve enhancing the home’s features and ensuring it’s in pristine condition, which can substantially increase its appeal and value, especially in the older homes commonly found in Toronto’s West End.

5. Enhancing Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, and the exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see. Enhancing curb appeal can make your home stand out, especially in charming neighbourhoods like Swansea and The Junction, where older homes have unique, historical facades.

• Lawn maintenance: Keep the lawn mowed, edges trimmed, and garden beds weed-free. This is crucial for older homes where mature landscaping might need extra care.
• Paint the front door: A fresh coat of paint on the front door can make a big impact, particularly if the door is original to the home. Choose a colour that complements the home’s exterior.
• Add potted plants: Place potted plants or flowers near the entrance to add a welcoming touch. This can brighten up older brick or stone facades.

6. Deep Cleaning

A spotless home can significantly influence buyers’ perceptions. Deep cleaning ensures that every corner of your home is immaculate and ready for viewings, particularly in older homes where dust and dirt can accumulate in hard-to-reach places.

• Clean carpets and floors: Consider professional carpet cleaning and ensure all floors are spotless. Hardwood floors, common in older homes, may benefit from a thorough clean and polish.
• Wash windows: Clean windows inside and out to let in more natural light, essential in homes with smaller or older-style windows.
• Wipe down surfaces: Ensure all surfaces, including countertops and cabinets, are clean and free of smudges. Pay extra attention to detailed woodwork and trim that can collect dust over time.

7. Lighting Matters

Good lighting can transform a home, making it feel bright and inviting. Proper lighting is crucial, particularly in older homes that may have smaller windows or less natural light.

• Maximize natural light: Open curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. In older homes, consider removing heavy drapes that can make rooms feel darker.
• Use artificial lighting effectively: Replace dim bulbs with brighter ones and use lamps to illuminate darker areas. Consider adding more light sources if the original lighting is insufficient.
• Create a warm atmosphere: Choose warm-toned bulbs to create a cozy ambiance that complements the character of an older home.

8. Furniture Arrangement

How you arrange your furniture can affect how spacious and functional a room feels. Thoughtful furniture placement can enhance the flow of your home, which is especially important in older homes where room layouts might be less open than in newer builds.

• Maximize space and flow: Arrange furniture to create open pathways and avoid overcrowding rooms. Use smaller-scale furniture to make rooms feel larger.
• Create conversation areas: Set up seating areas that encourage social interaction. This is particularly effective in living rooms with beautiful, old fireplaces as focal points.
• Ensure easy movement: Place furniture so that it doesn’t block windows, doors, or pathways, highlighting the original architecture and craftsmanship of the home.

9. Highlighting Key Features

Every home has unique features that can set it apart. Highlighting these elements can draw buyers’ attention to the best parts of your home, which is crucial in older homes that often have charming, unique details.

• Showcase fireplaces, large windows, etc.: Use decor to draw attention to these features. In older homes, this might include original fireplaces, built-ins, or stained glass windows.
• Make them focal points: Arrange furniture and accessories to emphasize key areas, ensuring that buyers notice these standout features.

10. Creating a Versatile Space

Potential buyers want to envision how they can use the space. Creating versatile rooms can help them see the possibilities, which is particularly important in older homes with unique layouts.

• Set up multi-functional rooms: Show potential uses like a home office, guest room, or playroom. In older homes, this might involve repurposing a seldom-used formal dining room.
• Use multi-functional furniture: Consider items like sofa beds or desks that can double as other furniture, making the most of the space available.
• Help buyers visualize: Stage rooms to demonstrate various uses, helping them see how they can live comfortably in an older home.

11. Budget-Friendly Staging Tips

Staging doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of cost-effective ways to make your home look its best, which is great for homeowners of older properties who might already be investing in maintenance and updates.

• DIY projects: Small, do-it-yourself projects can make a big impact, like painting or updating cabinet hardware. Focus on preserving and enhancing the home’s original charm.
• Cost-effective updates: Consider affordable updates like new light fixtures or throw pillows. Choose styles that complement the home’s vintage feel.
• Small changes, big impact: Even minor improvements can enhance your home’s appeal, making it feel fresh while retaining its character.

Difficult Staging Tips

Difficult staging tips are more complex and may require professional assistance or a higher budget. These changes can greatly enhance the home’s functionality and aesthetic appeal, leading to a more substantial increase in its market value. This is especially true for older, historically significant homes in Toronto’s West End, where thoughtful updates can preserve the home’s charm while modernizing its appeal.

12. Kitchen and Bathroom Updates

Kitchens and bathrooms are often the most scrutinized rooms by buyers. Updating these spaces can make a big difference in the overall appeal of your home, especially in areas like Old Mill, where many homes have beautiful but dated kitchens and bathrooms.

• Minor upgrades: Replace outdated hardware, fixtures, and faucets for a fresh look. Choose styles that blend well with the period of the home.
• Refresh grout and caulking: Clean or re-grout tiles and apply new caulking to give these areas a cleaner appearance. This can be particularly effective in preserving vintage tiles that add to the home’s character.
• New countertops or cabinets: Consider investing in new countertops or refacing cabinets if your budget allows. Opt for materials and designs that respect the historical context of the home.

13. Professional Staging Services

Hiring a professional stager can take your home to the next level. Their expertise can help highlight your home’s strengths and create a cohesive, appealing look, which is crucial for older homes with unique features.

• Benefits of professional staging: A professional stager can offer an objective eye and use high-quality furnishings and decor that complement the home’s architectural style.
• Finding a reputable stager in Toronto: Look for professionals with good reviews and a solid portfolio, especially those experienced with older, historic homes.
• Return on investment: Professionally staged homes often sell faster and for higher prices, making it a worthwhile investment, particularly in historic neighbourhoods.

14. Virtual Staging for Online Appeal

With many buyers starting their home search online, high-quality photos and virtual staging can significantly enhance your home’s digital presence. This is especially important for older homes where traditional photography might not capture the full potential.

• Importance of high-quality photos: Professional photography can make your home look its best online, highlighting its unique features and historical charm.
• Using technology to stage homes: Virtual staging can show the potential of empty rooms or spaces with outdated furniture, making it easier for buyers to visualize updates.
• Virtual tours and online listings: Offering virtual tours can attract more buyers and provide a better sense of the home’s layout and features, essential for older homes with unique floor plans.

15. Updating Flooring

Flooring is a crucial aspect of home staging that can greatly influence a buyer’s perception of your home’s value and condition. Especially in older homes in areas like Swansea, having updated flooring can be a game-changer while preserving the historical significance.

• Replace outdated or worn carpets: Consider replacing old carpets with new ones or switching to hardwood or laminate flooring for a modern look that complements the home’s period style.
• Refinish hardwood floors: If you already have hardwood floors, refinishing them can restore their beauty and make them look brand new, highlighting the home’s original craftsmanship.
• Use area rugs: In spaces with hard flooring, area rugs can add warmth and define spaces, making them feel more inviting and preserving the floors’ condition.

Final Thoughts

Staging your home effectively can make a world of difference in how quickly it sells and the price it achieves. Whether you choose to implement simple tips like decluttering and adding greenery or more involved strategies like professional staging and kitchen updates, every effort counts. In Toronto’s competitive real estate market, especially in neighbourhoods like Bloor West Village and High Park North, these tips can help your home stand out.

We hope these 15 tips have provided you with valuable insights and inspiration for staging your home. If you have any questions or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the Smith Proulx Team. We’re here to help you every step of the way in your home-selling journey.

Your Next Move

Ready to take your home staging to the next level? Contact the Smith Proulx Team today for expert advice and personalized staging strategies tailored to your Toronto home. Share your own staging tips or ask questions in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!