# Staging Guide

## The Show House Look

The goal is to help buyers see themselves in the property, not the current owner's life. This doesn't mean stripping personality — it means creating space for imagination.

## Room-by-Room Principles

### Living Areas
- **Space is king** — remove any furniture that makes the room feel smaller than it is
- **Neutral tones** — if walls are bold colours, suggest repainting to soft neutrals
- **Mirrors** — strategically placed to reflect light and create the illusion of space
- **Lighting** — open curtains fully, turn on lamps even during daytime viewings
- **Accessories** — fresh flowers, a few quality cushions, a coffee table book. Less is more
- **Remove personal items** — family photos, children's artwork, religious items. Buyers need to project their own life onto the space

### Kitchen
- **Clear worktops** — everything off except one or two styled items (fruit bowl, cookbook stand)
- **Deep clean** — especially the oven, hob, and sink area
- **Hide bins** — or replace with a clean, matching one
- **Fresh scent** — not overpowering. Freshly brewed coffee or baked bread is the classic

### Bedrooms
- **Hotel feel** — fresh, quality bedding in white or neutral tones
- **Declutter surfaces** — clear bedside tables except a lamp and maybe one book
- **Wardrobes** — buyers will look inside. Organise and reduce by half if possible
- **Define the room** — if a bedroom is used as a study/gym, return it to bedroom staging for viewings

### Bathrooms
- **Sparkling clean** — grout, tiles, glass, chrome. This is non-negotiable
- **Hotel touches** — fresh white towels, a quality hand soap, a small plant
- **Remove personal products** — all toiletries out of sight
- **Fix the small things** — dripping taps, loose toilet seats, missing sealant

### Garden
- **First 10 seconds** — mow the lawn, trim edges, clear leaves
- **Define spaces** — a patio set suggests outdoor entertaining; a bench suggests relaxation
- **Remove clutter** — toys, tools, old pots. Garden sheds: tidy or at least close the door
- **Seasonal plants** — even a few pots of colour by the door make a difference

### Hallway
- **The first impression** — declutter, clean, fresh paint if needed
- **Shoes and coats** — hidden or minimised
- **Light** — hallways are often dark. Add a table lamp if possible

## General Rules

- **Deep clean before anything else** — staging on top of dirt doesn't work
- **Fix minor maintenance** — squeaky doors, chipped paint, loose handles. Buyers notice
- **Declutter ruthlessly** — rent a storage unit if needed. Every surface should have 50% less than normal
- **Smell matters** — air out the property before viewings, avoid strong air fresheners (they suggest you're hiding something)
- **Temperature** — warm in winter, fresh in summer. Nobody buys a cold house enthusiastically