How to Stage a Kitchen for a Quick Sale

If you’re planning to put your home on the market, you’re probably looking at ways to better stage each room to make a lasting impression on potential buyers.  One of the most important rooms that should arguably be at the top of your list is the kitchen.

Though often overlooked when it comes to staging, the kitchen is a home’s main focal point and the room that most potential buyers are not only drawn to, but will heavily weigh when it comes time to picking a home.  Most sellers will stage a basic remodel of their space before listing, but don’t forget about the center of the home. A simple fresh coat of paint, a thorough cleaning, and properly placed dining items can make your kitchen look brand new, and trust us, that will make a lasting impression on anyone who walks into your home.  

So, as you begin the slight face lift of your kitchen for staging, there are a few things you should keep in mind that will really make it inviting to potential buyers.  Here’s what you should do:

• Remove Personal Items – The whole point of staging is to present a clean slate to potential buyers so that they can see how the space works and see themselves in it.  So, remove all photos and family effects from the refrigerator, walls, and countertops to help buyers imagine how they will use the space and implement their own personal touch.
• Clean – Before you even begin the staging process of your kitchen, you must do a thorough cleaning.  This means wiping down everything from the baseboards, to the ceiling fans, appliances, sinks, back splash, and floors.  You want everything to be spotless, as close to un-lived in as possible. You’re going to need to get into every nook and cranny to remove the years of grime build up.  
• Paint – Consider giving your kitchen walls a fresh coat of paint using a neutral color.  This simple improvement can really breathe new life into a space, revitalizing the entire look for a more clean and inviting feel.   
• Brighten – Every kitchen needs great lighting, so brighten the space up by replacing old bulbs with brighter bulbs.  To really maximize on natural light too, remove heavy curtains. More natural, free-flowing light can really help make a space feel more spacious.
• Polish – If your kitchen has any chrome fixtures, knobs, or hardware, give them a good polish to really make your kitchen shine like new.  And, if these items are dated or worn, consider replacing them altogether. Trust us, buyers go crazy for nice fixtures!
• De-Clutter – Keep all surfaces clean and clutter free.  This means storing cleaning products and small appliances in cabinets so that they don’t draw or disrupt eye lines.  Also, be sure to put away all dishes. You don’t want to leave anything in the sink, drying rack or dishwasher. And, when you put them away, be sure that everything is stacked and aligned neatly.  Remember, many buyers will be opening and looking in your cabinets to see the space.
• Maximize Space – Once everything’s clean and clutter-free, you’re really going to want to find ways to maximize the space you have.  Often, with the right combination of accessories and furniture, you can show off your kitchen’s best features while minimizing its limitations.

If you really want to go the extra mile in staging your kitchen, place a few cookbooks on the counter or bookshelves (arranged neatly of course), or add a splash of color by putting out a fruit bowl or plant in a pretty pot.  By following these tips, you’ll be able to stage your kitchen to really impress potential buyers.