If you have ever been to an open house, I’m sure you were impressed by how spacious and inviting every room seemed. Professional home stagers have the knack of making any space look its best without spending a fortune on it.
In this article, we will show you some simple, inexpensive tips to make your home look better. After all, you shouldn’t have to wait for your home to be up for sale to spruce it up.
Boost Curb Appeal
The entrance to your home creates a crucial first impression, so make sure it looks inviting. Depending on your taste, paint your front door a vibrant color or a more classic deep shade. For added elegance, flank your doorway with potted plants, such as resilient succulents or flowering annuals, in terracotta or glazed ceramic containers.
Install a sleek, vertical house number plaque or a modern mailbox to enhance the contemporary feel. Hang an artificial wreath or display seasonal greenery, such as evergreen branches in winter or vibrant fall foliage, to add warmth and character. A stylish coir doormat can provide an inexpensive finishing touch.
Embrace a Neutral Palette
Home stagers swear by neutral palettes for an open house. Shades like warm grays, off-whites, and soft creams create a calming, sophisticated atmosphere that appeals to nearly everyone. Refreshing your walls with these neutral paints is a cost-effective way to make rooms feel instantly bigger and brighter.
Pair this with strategically placed mirrors to amplify natural light and add depth. These adaptable hues allow you to rearrange furniture and décor without worrying about clashing colors.
Rearrange Furniture
You can transform any room in your home without spending a penny by strategically rearranging your furniture. Create breathing space in your living room by pulling larger pieces, like your sofa or armchairs, away from the walls. Position your largest sofa perpendicular to the largest window to establish a natural pathway.
Create inviting conversation areas by grouping seating in U-shaped arrangements and use side tables as connectors. Remove any oversized pieces that obstruct walkways to ensure smooth flow. To encourage movement and create a dynamic feel, angle chairs at 45-degree angles. Always balance the visual weight of the room so that one side of the room does not feel heavier than the other.
Bring In Natural Light
Natural light can transform any space for free by creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you live in a small apartment or a large house, natural light can enhance your living areas.
Opt for sheers instead of heavy drapes. Sheers or linens allow natural light to filter in while maintaining privacy. In rooms where privacy isn’t a concern, consider forgoing curtains altogether. Place mirrors opposite windows or at certain angles to bounce sunlight throughout the room. It is an easy way to amplify the brightness of your home.
Overgrown bushes and trees can block valuable sunlight coming through windows. Trim them to restore natural sunlight and improve the look of your garden as well. Consider how the light changes during different times of day, and arrange your rooms to make the best use of the available light.
Use Wooden Accents
Wooden accents can give any home a cozy and affordable makeover. For a natural touch, start with small, budget-friendly items like wooden photo frames, coasters, or a bamboo organizer.
You don’t always have to use expensive wood to create the look.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is easy to install and inexpensive, and it creates a wood-like look. Pair these with indoor plants in wooden pots for a calm, nature-inspired vibe. Use different wood colors and textures in your home to create a stylish and inviting look.
Give Your Bathrooms A Facelift
Sprucing up your bathrooms doesn’t mean you have to renovate them completely. A few budget-friendly updates can do the job quite well. Apply a coat of moisture-resistant paint to the walls and instantly brighten the bathroom. Replace your old mirrors with larger ones to give the illusion of space.
Update your bathroom accessories with a coordinated set, choosing durable and stylish options like ceramic soap dishes, bamboo toothbrush holders, and matching cups. Finally, even small changes, such as swapping outdated cabinet handles with modern, sleek designs, can significantly transform the look and feel of your bathroom.
Deep Clean
A clean home reflects care and upkeep and elevates your space. So, dust and declutter every corner to ensure that surfaces are spotless and inviting. Buff all stainless steel appliances and faucets with olive oil for a polished shine. Make sure all surfaces are clean and clutter-free. Vacuum carpets and couches and clean any stains on upholstery or rugs.
Declutter
Decluttering and reorganizing is a simple yet transformative way to refresh a home. To make your home look clean and inviting, discard old magazines, broken items, unused appliances, and unnecessary décor. Organize your space and keep only those items that you genuinely love and hold personal meaning.
Decluttering enhances the aesthetic of your home and promotes better focus and productivity, making your home feel more open and welcoming. It’s a budget-friendly step to achieving a polished and streamlined look.
Use Better Lights
Lighting can transform any room, making it feel cozy, vibrant, or spacious. Layer different lights, such as task, ambient, and accent lighting, to create the right atmosphere for any room. Swap outdated fixtures for budget-friendly modern designs, like sleek recessed lighting or adjustable track lights. Warm LED bulbs can instantly make your room cozier and stylish.
Add dimmers for flexible lighting control, and personalize your space with unique fixtures like pendant lights over a kitchen island or affordable table lamps crafted from recycled materials. For task lighting in a home office, consider adjustable desk lamps.
Use Plants As Décor
Another good trick home stagers use is to include plants in the décor, as they add life and freshness to any space. Place stylish terracotta or ceramic planters filled with easy-care plants like snake plants or pothos in bright, sunny spots to purify the air and enhance the room’s ambiance.
Place smaller succulents or air plants on tables, bookshelves, or open shelving for a touch of greenery. Use tall, leafy plants like fiddle leaf fig trees or bamboo palms in corners for a dramatic accent.
Remember to place plants near windows or light sources to ensure they thrive. Alternatively, you can choose high-quality faux greenery with natural-looking textures and colors. Avoid cheap, plastic-looking options.
Use Throws and Throw Pillows
Throws and pillows are budget-friendly and can elevate your home. Brightly colored throw pillows add a pop of color and pattern to neutral furniture. For a sophisticated look, layer pillows of varying sizes and shapes, incorporating textures and fabrics like plush velvet, metallic accents, or soft knits.
Complement pillows with throw blankets for warmth and charm, making your space look stylish. Opt for durable and easy-to-clean fabrics to ensure long-lasting style. These accessories can transform any room into a vibrant, welcoming haven.
Highlight The Focal Point in Each Room
Every room has a feature, like a fireplace, a prominent window, or an alcove that you can emphasize. Professional home stagers know how important it is to create a focal point for a room. You can rearrange furniture to emphasize the focal point.
For example, you can ensure no furniture blocks your accent window or place chairs around the fireplace. Highlighting these elements adds character to each room.
