Deco Ideas and Renovations
The 7 Key Elements of Home Staging to Sell your House
Struggling to get viewings after putting your home up for sale? You’re not alone. In 2024, it took around 62 days on average to sell a detached house in Québec, according to DuProprio and APCIQ. But what if you could cut that time in half? Imagine what that would mean for you.
The truth is, first impressions happen fast — really fast. A potential buyer forms an opinion about your home in under 90 seconds. That’s why making your space look inviting from the get-go is a smart move.
This is where home staging comes in. It’s a simple yet powerful way to make your property stand out. In fact, nearly 36% of buyers say they’d be willing to pay more for a well-presented home. Could that be yours?
But what is home staging exactly?
It’s a precise and specialized approach that aims to enhance the appearance of properties for sale on the market. Home staging techniques serve the purpose of depersonalising the rooms of your property so potential buyers can easily visualize themselves living there with their own belongings and furniture. Therefore, its main objective is opposed to interior decorating.
Home staging could also be considered a technique that brings interior decorating and marketing together. It’s in this spirit that we recommend that you stage your home at the very beginning of the selling process. This way, the marketing will be perfect from the very beginning, starting with the pictures of your home displayed on your agent’s Website.
Does home staging cost money?
Ideally, you should invest about 1% of your home’s value into staging your home for sale. But don’t think of it as money lost — it’s an investment that could help you sell faster and possibly at a better price. In most cases, the cost of staging your home is lower than having to drop your asking price.
Do you have to spend money to stage your home?
Spending money isn’t a must, even though we do recommend it. Some of the staging tips for selling home that you’ll find in this article can be done for free — or at very little cost. For each step, we’ll show you the suggested budget along with simple examples of how to stage your home for a quick sale.
How to stage your home for sale: 7 key steps
1. Depersonalise to help buyers see themselves living there
This step doesn’t cost a thing. It’s all about clearing personal items from shelves, furniture and surfaces. Remove family photos, toothbrushes, used soap, extra towels and even pet items.
Keep decorations and artwork minimal. You’re selling the home, not your personal taste! The goal is to highlight the space, not what’s in it. Ask yourself: does my home look like a show home? By keeping things neutral, you help buyers imagine living there.
Cost: free to low
2. Less is more: declutter to show off your space
Buyers love tidy entryways and well-organised rooms. Make sure they’re not stepping over piles of shoes or kids’ toys the second they walk in.
You might want to pack away extra knick-knacks, books, or anything that clutters up your shelves. Too many items can distract buyers and stop them from seeing the real charm of your home.
Home staging is actually a great excuse to start packing up things you don’t use often — you’ll be one step closer to moving day! You could even host a garage sale and use the money to buy a few tins of paint to give the place a fresh new look. That could really impress your future buyer.
Cost: free to low
*In this main bedroom, a fresh coat of paint gives the space a more modern feel — helped along by the updated curtains, furniture, lamps and bedspread. all the new elements work well together, creating a clean and stylish look. by removing most of the accessories, buyers can really take in the beauty of the room.
As part of this home staging makeover, the old flooring was swapped out for grey hardwood, a change that could help the sellers get a better price for their property.
3. Modern updates, no big spend
Home staging can cost a bit more if your property hasn’t been updated in years. But in many cases, a few simple tweaks can make all the difference.
Repainting the walls is often a great place to start. Stick with light, neutral colours like white, soft grey or beige. These shades help brighten the space and appeal to more buyers.
Some small updates can also have a big impact. For example, swapping out old laminate floors for peel-and-stick vinyl planks is an easy and budget-friendly option. Not sure whether to choose vinyl or engineered wood? Take a moment to explore the benefits of each.
Refreshing small decor pieces like curtains, cushions or blinds can instantly modernise a room. And in some cases, just removing heavy or outdated items is enough to lighten up the whole look.
Two rooms that always catch a buyer’s eye? The kitchen and bathroom. A clean, neutral kitchen and a freshly updated bathroom — even with modest upgrades — can really sway someone’s decision. Replacing old handles or painting/staining the cabinets is a quick way to give these spaces a new lease on life.
Also, think about matching your flooring throughout the house. It’s a small detail, but it really adds to that feeling of flow and cohesion.
Need a hand? Our in-store experts and decorators can help you figure out which updates will give you the most value for your budget.
Cost range: low to moderate
4. Clean, air out and keep scents subtle
It might sound obvious, but your home needs to be spotless before any viewings. Bad smells — like damp, dust, pets or mould — can seriously hurt your chances of selling.
That said, don’t go overboard with cleaning products either. Strong chemical smells can be just as off-putting as bad ones. Use lightly-scented products and air out the house before visits if the weather allows.
Be careful with overpowering scents too — even freshly baked biscuits, which some estate agents swear by, can be too much. Stick with simple, natural smells like lemon, pine, basil, vanilla or cinnamon. An essential oil diffuser is a great option.
Cost range: low
*Adding furniture to this living room helps buyers picture themselves living there. it also makes the space feel warmer and more inviting. the area rug helps give buyers a clear sense of the room’s size
5. Arrange furniture with purpose…and impact
Buyers expect each room to reflect its purpose during viewings. For example: the dining table should be in the dining room.
But how you arrange your furniture and accessories can make a big difference in how a space feels. The goal is to make each room look as spacious and functional as possible. Choosing small, simple furniture pieces can help with this.
In some cases, grouping furniture toward the centre of the room can create the feeling of more space. Open-concept layouts are especially popular, so placing furniture thoughtfully can really enhance that open, welcoming feel. Even just shifting a couple of chairs can improve flow and show off how much room there is.
Don’t be afraid to experiment — and when in doubt, ask your estate agent or a home staging expert for advice.
Open spaces are still very much in demand. A smart furniture layout can boost that airy, inviting vibe buyers are looking for.
Cost range: free to low
6. Fix everyday wear and tear
Of course, your home should look clean and welcoming during visits. But it’s often the little things we overlook day to day that stand out most to buyers. A small crack in the wall, a wobbly cupboard door, a loose socket or old silicone around the bath — these minor flaws can raise red flags, even if they’re no big deal.
That doesn’t mean you need a full renovation. The goal is to take care of anything that might make the home feel neglected. Often, a simple DIY fix is enough — like replacing a handle, reattaching a skirting board, gluing down a corner of carpet or oiling a squeaky hinge.
Try not to let the “I’ll fix it later” list pile up. Buyers don’t see your mental checklist — they only see what’s right in front of them. When in doubt, ask a friend to walk through with fresh eyes, or speak to a home staging pro.
Cost range: low to moderate
7. Stage an empty home by renting furniture
Sometimes, the home you’re selling might be completely or partly empty. But did you know buyers actually find it easier to imagine living in a space when it’s furnished?
There are companies that rent out furniture and accessories just for this purpose — to help sell or rent homes faster. Ask your local shop or estate agent if they can recommend someone who offers this service.
Cost range: moderate
Small details that go a long way
Some little touches — while not essential — can really improve the viewing experience and even help sway a buyer’s decision.
Lighting, for example, plays a big part in how a room feels. Make sure all your bulbs work, and aim for warm, well-balanced light throughout your home. And if you’ve got underfloor heating, don’t forget to mention it!
Outside, a few quick wins can boost curb appeal in no time. Wash the windows to let in more natural light, trim the hedges, pull out weeds, and if needed, refresh the asphalt joints or tidy up the entrance. Want to know which floors are best for this key space? We’ve got a guide for that too.
Do you need to follow every single step to stage your home?
Not necessarily. While some steps are essential — like depersonalising, decluttering, keeping things clean and eliminating bad smells — you don’t have to do everything.
That said, try to look at your home from a visitor’s point of view. What would you notice if you were seeing it for the first time?
If it’s hard to judge on your own, don’t be shy — ask a friend or your estate agent for a second opinion. Or better yet, speak to a home staging professional. Be upfront about your budget and how much time you have. They’ll help you find the right plan for your home and your timeline.
Please note: not all Déco Surfaces stores offer home staging or interior decorating services. Check with your local retailer to see what’s available.
*All the pictures in this article were provided by Guylaine Jodouin and are realisations of Touch of Distinction, store located in Rockland, ON.
By Guylaine Jodouin, Professional Home Stager & President at Touch of Distinction…À votre image, located in Rockland, ON.
