7 Tips for Staging a Home in the Winter

The winter months are typically a time for settling down in front of a warm fireplace with your family gathered around, passing a plate of brightly frosted cookies. However, it can also be a time for staging a home to sell. After all, if you have plans to move after the holiday season, you can’t stop showing your home to potential buyers.

While you may think that staging a home during the winter months is more challenging given a hectic schedule or the dreary grey world outside, there are ways to make your home shine and sparkle with a holiday cheer that will work in your advantage. In fact, many buyers will be able to picture themselves in front of that warm fireplace with family – if you are staging a home correctly to capture the magic and character of the season.

Here are seven tips to make staging a home in the winter more successful:

1. The Path to Perfection – Keep in mind that guests won’t be pulling into your garage. If there is snow on the ground, the first step to staging a home is to shovel the driveway and/or a path to the front door. Also check for ice, as traffic over the snow can easily pack down and melt the snow into a dangerous walkway. Sprinkle sand or salt over the path to reduce this risk. In addition, place a mat or two at the front door to limit the spread of snow and muck into the house.
2. Let There Be Light – If you are staging a home for the evening, turn on the porch lights and enough light inside to be welcoming – that means at least one light in every room. Did you put up a Christmas tree or garland? Turn those lights on. However, the less personal the decorations the better. And if you are staging a home in the day, do away with fake lighting and opt for natural. Just open the window drapes or blinds and let the sunshine in, and only turn on lights where the natural light does not reach. Light also helps a space seem larger.
3. “Brr” Be Gone – Even if it’s not snowing outside, it’s sure to be chilly. Keep your house warm enough to render a coat unnecessary. A few degrees warmer will keep the heater from kicking on (which could be noisy) and help convince the buyers to linger inside longer. If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s lit for warmth as well as charm.
4. Eye Candy – Eye candy can start with a festive wreath on the door or twinkling lights outside. Inside, consider staging a home with decorations in the most lived spaces. The living room may have a Christmas tree or stockings hung on the fireplace. Add folded throws or blankets over the arms of couches. Place poinsettias or other holiday plants in the room. The kitchen table might be set with clean dinnerware over a tablecloth or placemats.
5. Dial Down the Scents – Candles are appropriate to the season but can often be overwhelming. If you light candles, consider the scentless kind and instead bake or cook prior to visiting buyers. Most people would much rather smell chocolate chip cookies than overpowering floral waves.
6. Set the Mood – Music can be appropriate for this time of year, but keep in mind that not every guest enjoys the same type of music. Try to choose music that is more classic or instrumental, and turn it down to a barely noticeable level that will accent the mood.
7. Provide Specifics – When staging a home, set out a small card or piece of paper with a list of items of features that you want to highlight in the house. This step is especially helpful in the winter when something like a back porch and jacuzzi might be covered and hidden.

Staging a home is a crucial step in the selling process, enabling you to move onto your next residence and also transition the new family in. These are big decisions for you and those closest to you, and that’s why you should Inspect-It 1st before moving in. Have your new house tested and examined by the experts to ensure that it’s a safe environment. Inspect It 1st offers services to check heating, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, foundation, and everything else that will keep your new home running beautifully!