You don't need an interior designer for successful home staging, but there are plenty of tips you can steal to stand out from the crowd and present a lifestyle that buyers want for themselves.

We’re surrounded by images of beautiful interiors every day, from TV shows and YouTube channels to social media posts and magazine features, meaning expectations have never been so high.

Fortunately, by using the psychology of space with a dash of designer secrets, you can showcase your home in its best possible light without an expensive makeover.

We’ve helped many owners in the Wilton and Salisbury area to style their homes to sell, and proved that little tweaks lead to higher offers, so let’s explore the essential elements of successful home staging, including:

Increasing the sense of space.

Maximising natural light.

Warming up the atmosphere.

Balancing clutter-free and cosy.

Optimising outdoor areas.

Whether your home is big, small, modern or old, try these expert tips to quickly master the art of home staging for fabulous photos, meaningful enquiries, and high-quality viewings that make a sale.

INCREASING THE SENSE OF SPACE

The larger your home looks, the more accommodating and flexible it will appear to a buyer, so it pays to make your rooms feel as spacious and airy as possible.

It’s easy to inadvertently hide valuable floor space, and interior designers focus on revealing as much of this valuable asset as they can, with these proven principles:

Furniture that floats on legs shows off more floor space than solid pieces that sit on feet, from larger culprits like beds, sofas and wardrobes, to smaller bookshelves and coffee tables.

A single large rug beats several small ones, which can break up the floor space. Focus on creating the largest single expanse possible, which might mean no rug at all!

Lifting plants off the floor and into pot stands; shifting piles of magazines and books to shelves or cupboards; and turning unruly piles of shoes into neat displays in a rack or under a bench.

Finally, make sure there’s a natural, unobstructed path through every room. If a buyer has to zig-zag around, a space can feel too small for furniture, so is there something you can move or remove?

MAXIMISING NATURAL LIGHT

A bright, sun-filled home feels positive, healthy, and welcoming, while dark corners can make rooms feel smaller than they actually are. Fortunately, you have lots of options.

Dusty or grimy windows can block a surprising amount of light, so polish your panes inside and out to ensure every possible ray of sun gets through.

If your curtains block any of your windows when drawn open, buy wider poles so you can pull the fabric back to completely clear the frame - a simple adjustment with a remarkable effect.

Hang a large mirror directly opposite a window. As well as amplifying the natural light, you inject a view of the outside and extra depth to an interior wall.
The shiny surfaces of glass or metallic accessories catch the light and bounce it around a room, adding glints and reflections in surprising ways.

As well as feeling more uplifting, bright homes sell faster and often for more money, so take a look around for where you can maximise natural light in every room.

WARMING UP THE ATMOSPHERE

The most successful home staging sets a relatable scene that feels lived-in and relaxed, appeals to the senses, and offers a sanctuary for cosy evenings and lazy Sunday mornings.

Switch off the harsh ‘big light’ in the ceiling. Instead, mix floor and table lamps to create mellow pools of light and a sophisticated mood.

Tactile elements exude comfort, so drape a throw over the arm of a sofa or the end of a bed, then add high-quality cushions to instantly soften a room.

Add natural scents with reed diffusers, candles, essential oils, or fresh cut flowers. Avoid artificial air fresheners, which can feel somewhat chemical and even suspicious.
Keep the heating on during cold days when you have viewings, so buyers step into a warm environment where they want to linger.

Finally, never belittle the benefits of a thorough dusting and vacuum. Clean homes have a real zing, from skirting boards and shelves, to polished door knobs, to wiping finger marks from switches - it all counts.

BALANCING CLUTTER-FREE AND COSY

When decluttering goes too far, a home can feel sterile or unlivably strict, and interior designers know exactly what it takes to curate rooms that feel alive, usable, and easy to manage.

Buyers need a combination of clear mental space and subtle visual cues to picture themselves in a home, and there are some very simple ways to give them what they need.

When styling shelves, sideboards or mantlepieces, group items in odd numbers. Three items of varying heights look more natural and dynamic than rigid symmetry.

Focus on clutter hotspots, like hallway consoles, dining tables and the tops of chests of drawers. Find a place for things like loose paperwork, glasses cases, keys and wallets.

Style kitchen worktops with only your coolest gadgets, poshest cookbooks, and a bowl of seasonal produce, and hide any bathroom products that aren’t in designer bottles or pots.

In short, it’s all about finding the sweet spot of having enough possessions on show to elevate your home, without them being a distraction or magnet for dust.

OPTIMISING OUTDOOR AREAS

Regardless of the size of your garden or balcony, staging it with as much care as your living spaces is how to optimise its value to buyers by effectively creating an outdoor room.

The most important factor is that your outside space is an enjoyable place to spend time in a way that reflects your target market, and here’s where some quick home staging can make all the difference.

Even a small patio can look charming with a simple bistro set or easy chairs, while larger spaces suit designer dining tables and lounge areas. Dress with weatherproof rugs and cushions.

Jetwash decks and pavers to remove moss and slippiness; trim lawns; weed borders; and cut back any overhanging branches. Check if fences and walls need cleaning or repairs.
If you sell at a time of year when viewings after dark are likely, invest in festoon bulb strings and storm lanterns that light up automatically when the sun goes down - instant evening magic.

You don’t need full landscaping. A few well-placed pots with colourful, billowing plants can transform a bare outdoor space into a green and joyful haven.

Lastly, and perhaps somewhat obviously, remove any rubbish or junk, and focus on showcasing a delightful and versatile outdoor lifestyle that extends well beyond the four walls inside.

Could home staging add thousands to your sale price?

We know you have a choice of estate agents in the Wilton and Salisbury area, and we’d love to show you how our staging expertise can capture the perfect buyer at the highest possible price.

If you’re planning a move, call us on 01722 580059 or email us at info@piccoloproperty.co.uk for a friendly chat, and let’s start planning together to make your move a total success.