Watch CBS News

Ask An Expert: Staging Your Home on a Budget

(photo credit: Simon & Schuster)

Barbara Reich is the author of SECRETS OF AN ORGANIZED MOM, published by Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. She formed Resourceful Consultants, LLC in 1999 and lives with her husband and their twins in Manhattan. Barbara has appeared on the Today show and has been featured in The New York Times, iVillage, and Real Simple, among other publications. Visit Barbara at her Website or on Facebook.

Selling your home can be incredibly stressful. You have to stage each room to look appealing to potential buyers, but at the same time, you probably still have to live there each and every day. Balancing out the clutter with the potential of your home is a challenge for any homeowner, but it's something that can be done successfully, even on a small budget.

  • Instead of focusing on how much bigger you wish your apartment was, focus instead on how much more room you'll have if you purge all of the clutter in your life.
      • Purging clutter is never easy, but if you do as you're packing it will be much easier. And it will mean much less to unpack in your new place! Ask yourself the following questions and act on the answers!
      • Have I used this/will I wear this in the last year?
      • If I throw this out is it replaceable? (i.e. could you get another extension cord at Radio Shack...yes; could you find another vintage 1920's beaded evening bag that belonged to your grandmother...no way)
      • Is it justifying the space that it's taking up?
      • Is it broken? Will I really get it fixed?
  • White bedding, bright pillows: White bedding will make any room feel more peaceful and calm. Make your bed with white sheets and a white coverlet, and your room will instantly be transformed to a Zen oasis that buyers can't resist.
  • Small purchases will go a long way. Hit up a store like Home Goods to purchase stylish, but inexpensive pieces that make your home warm and inviting. A simple vase with flowers can brighten a room and make it feel that much more inviting for potential buyers.
  • When you're selling your home, you want potential buyers to imagine themselves living there. That's difficult for them to do when they're faced with your clutter at every turn. While your kitchen shouldn't be sterile, it also shouldn't have school pictures and calendars plastered all over the refrigerator. Same goes for the living room. Keeping things tidy (no toys, remotes, shoes) will go a long way towards allowing a buyer to envision themselves in your home.
  • Avoid visual clutter! Have the same color and style hanger in all of your closets to help make it look bigger. Use the same storage bins across one room. Have bathroom fixtures that all match. All of this will allow your possessions to blend into the décor of the room rather than hinder the size and appearance. Plus it will help you see what you really have, making it easier to purge and pack.
  • Contradiction alert! While the home shouldn't look sterile, the bathroom definitely should. No one wants to look at your toothbrushes next to the sink or your razor in the shower. Put your personal hygiene items away!

Barbara Reich is the author of SECRETS OF AN ORGANIZED MOM, published by Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. She formed Resourceful Consultants, LLC in 1999 and lives with her husband and their twins in Manhattan. Barbara has appeared on the Today show and has been featured in The New York Times, iVillage, and Real Simple, among other publications. Visit Barbara at her Website or on Facebook.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.