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A brand new and naturally lighted kitchen A brand new and naturally lighted kitchen

8 steps for a successful home staging of your kitchen

Last updated on November 21, 2024

When you put your home up for sale, pay special attention to the kitchen. It's probably the room that buyers attach the most importance to. See how to make your home staging a success!

Here are a few tips to make your kitchen stand out and make sure it makes the right impression.

What is home staging?

Home staging is the art of arranging a property prior to sale or rental. The main objective is to highlight a few key rooms, or all of them, by maximizing their potential to appeal to prospective buyers or tenants. This is done by improving the layout, decoration and even carrying out light renovations that pay off in terms of making the home more attractive and neutral.

The idea is to make it easier for future owners to imagine themselves in the home, by eliminating elements that could destabilize them or prevent them from projecting themselves into it. This often helps to sell or rent more quickly, and at a price that works to your advantage.

1. Deep cleaning

Cleaning your kitchen before selling your home shows buyers that the space has been well cared for, which can reassure them and help them imagine themselves living in a clean, pleasant place. Scrub faucets, polish work surfaces, wash floors, dust hoods and window surrounds. Everything must be spotless! Remember, visitors will be scrutinizing your kitchen. 

2. Making space

A kitchen must be functional. Highlight work areas by freeing them from small appliances (toasters, blenders, microwaves, etc.) and other objects that tend to remain on the counter.

Also consider reducing the amount of knick-knacks and plants. Visitors need to be able to assess the available space and imagine themselves living there.

“Cleaning up the space and reducing the number of appliances on the counters is the first step to take,” explains Marilena Tricarico, animator, speaker and content creator at EspaceProprio. This allows you to depersonalize the kitchen and show off its full potential.” 

3. Adjust lighting

A dark kitchen is sad. How can you prepare meals in the dark? Make it inviting by opening the curtains and turning on the lights. Optimized lighting highlights worktops as well as points of interest like the island, faucets or countertop finishes. 

Marilena Tricarico explains: “If you have pendant light fittings, it may be worth changing them for more up-to-date models. It's important to ensure that all bulbs are functional, but also that they are in the same shades and on dimmers”. 

A new, clean kitchen with golden accents

4. Make small repairs

Make sure the faucet, hood and electrical outlets are working properly. Repair small holes in walls, replace broken or missing ceramic tiles and make sure that cabinets and drawers open easily. 

A detail that may seem insignificant to you can be an irritant to potential buyers. Keep in mind that by performing these easy maintenance tasks, you're consolidating the value of your home. 

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5. Repaint, if necessary

Repaint kitchen walls

If you're planning to move, you may not want to repaint the whole house. That's perfectly understandable. Do it only where necessary, if the room deserves to regain some of its lustre, or if garish or childish colors have been used. Remember the objective of the operation: to speed up the sale of the house at the best possible price. 

Wooden cabinets can be repainted or sanded and re-varnished, but bear in mind that this work is laborious,” explains Marilena Tricarico. We recommend opting for a pigmented shade of white and changing the handles at the same time. Consider removing a cupboard door and leaving a shelf open, on which to feature a decorative element such as crockery, a bottle or a recipe book.” 

A new, clean kitchen with open cupboards

Change floor covering

Installing self-adhesive vinyl planks, PVC tiles or glueless laminate can also be an excellent idea for quickly transforming a dilapidated floor at lower cost. These modern materials are relatively easy to install, look good, resist wear and tear and require little maintenance. If time doesn't permit such a procedure, a carpet can embellish floors and give the kitchen a fresh look. 

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Change or repaint backsplash

A repainted backsplash changes the look of the kitchen at lower cost and improves the lighting. Changing the backsplash on a moderate budget can have a big aesthetic impact. 

“If the backsplash is faded, an interesting low-cost option might be to put a marble or ceramic imitation sticker over it,” says Marilena Tricarico. 

A kitchen is tidy and presented in its best light

6. Add a few accessories

Setting a beautiful table, choosing a delightful spray of flowers or a bowl of fruit: these are all ways of making the kitchen as lively and attractive as possible. It's also a good idea to invest in a curtain to match the rest of the décor.  

7. Do more than home staging

Change old faucets

Replacing faucets improves the appearance and functionality of the space, giving it a modern, comfortable feel. New, quality fittings show that the home has been well cared for, reassuring potential buyers. Up-to-date faucets add a touch of luxury that enhances the kitchen without requiring major work. 

Revamp kitchen furniture

It's not a question of removing and changing everything. By varnishing or painting the cabinets and island, you hide signs of wear and tear, modernize the space and create a positive first impression. The kitchen looks more polished and in tune with current trends. What's more, a makeover usually costs less than a complete replacement. 

“Creative ideas, such as adding a decorative panel to the island or changing the stools, can make a big difference,” suggests Marilena Tricarico. 

Change the worktop

To sell your home more easily, choose a countertop made of stain- and scratch-resistant material that's easy to maintain, such as quality laminate. Opt for neutral colors (white, light gray or beige) that harmonize with the kitchen's style. 

8. Control odors

One last detail: ventilate the house well before visits to ensure that there are no unpleasant odours. Better still, use a home air freshener such as a reed diffuser to refresh the ambient air. Marilena Tricarico also suggests trying a strategy that has proved its worth over time: “One trick that's always a winner is to bake a cake or cookies before visits.” 

FAQ

Is it necessary to carry out work before selling?

You don't have to do any work to sell your property. The main objectives are to refresh the premises, repair broken areas, clean up and depersonalize. It's important to help buyers see the property's potential and imagine themselves living there.

What's the difference between home staging and interior decorating?

Home staging and interior decorating have distinct objectives. Home staging adds value to a property to make it easier to sell or rent, by neutralizing the space and making it attractive to visitors. Interior decoration aims to create a pleasant, functional environment for the people occupying the home, reflecting their tastes and desires.

Need help selling your property fast? Our team is available seven days a week. Call 1 866 387-7677 to reach them today.