The budget buys that will make your home look like a five-star hotel
When it comes to property staging, I’ve got LOTS of advice.
Having run a property staging business for the past decade, my team and I have transformed thousands of homes across the UK – helping them sell faster and for more money.
I know every tip and trick: from making the most of small spaces, to creating the ‘wow’ factor without spending a fortune.
As CEO of ThePropertyStagers, which I founded at 16 after leaving school, I’ve learned what turns buyers off – things like neglected maintenance, over-cluttered rooms and overly personal décor.
And I know exactly what to do to get the top asking price – think oversized accessories, mood lighting, and clean, neutral finishes.
Buyers aren’t just purchasing bricks and mortar. They’re buying into a lifestyle. Your job is to help them imagine it.
Here are my eight go-to tips to stage your home like a five-star hotel – all without breaking the bank.
Focus on bedtime!
Who can resist a hotel bed with those crisp white sheets? It’s the epitome of luxury.
That’s the vibe you want potential buyers to have when they walk into your bedroom.
It needs to feel aspirational – creating a desire for them to live there.
Buy high thread count duvet covers (400+), sheets and linen.
It’s important that it’s white bedding – not only to create the sense of luxury, but also a feeling of cleanliness too.
Film star vibes!
Not much beats getting ready at a dressing table in a chic hotel.
Create that same feeling in your bedroom by setting up a designated space to put on makeup and style your hair.
This can be a dual purpose area that could also double up as a work from home space too.
To add real luxury, add a table standing mirror, and opt for a mirrored dressing table if your budget allows.
Get rid of the clutter
Clutter is the enemy of a five-star hotel aesthetic.
We would be smart to replicate their innovative storage solutions.
Keep surfaces clear and clutter-free by incorporating baskets, bins, and hidden storage furniture.
There are plenty of toy storage solutions too.
Simplifying your space will create a clean and polished look that exudes luxury.
Dress your living spaces
In your bedroom, pair your white sheets with fluffy duvets, feather insert pillows and cushions.
A hack that we use in home staging is to add another duvet on top of the original, folded down to create a bed that looks good enough to jump into.
Add luxurious bedspreads opting for velvet, faux fur, and silk.
Also consider layering your sofa with different sizes of cushions, and overstyling coffee tables and console tables with large accessories.
Opt for large artwork and mirrors to complete the look.
Extravagant towels
One of my favourite things is to cosy up with a plush hotel towel after a luxurious shower or bath in my hotel room.
There is the added pleasure that someone else is doing the laundry, but often at home we’re using a relatively inexpensive, overused towel unlike in a hotel when we’re wrapped up in a warm fluffy version that feels uber soft.
Opt for all white towels for an added element of luxe.
Create an atmosphere
Muted lighting is a crucial element, it is the number one way to set the mood and ambiance of a luxurious space.
Create a layered scheme that includes ambient, task, and accent lighting to add depth and dimension to your rooms.
Consider adding dimmer switches to control the intensity of the light and create a cosy atmosphere.
Luxury scents
Let’s admit it. We’ve all ‘done a Ross Geller’ from Friends and nabbed the small luxury toiletries that are complimentary with your hotel stay – they’re often quality brands that we don’t splurge on ourselves.
But why not? Consider spoiling yourself by picking up some luxury bath gels, shampoos and body lotions and keep these on display on your counter.
Not only will you feel five star, but you’ll smell it too.
A mirror image
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to create flow in any room, and a law that hotels use so effectively, is the use of symmetry.
The easiest and most cost effective way to do this is with bedside tables.
Not only is it practical for both sides of the bed to have a surface, but it can also work well as a storage solution if you opt for a bedside with drawers.
The next key is to place matching oversized lamps on each one, this will create a dramatic impact and continue the feel of everyday extravagance.
The five decor mistakes sellers make – and how to fix them
Overcrowding with furniture
An abundance of furniture can make a room feel cramped and small.
Buyers are looking for spaciousness and flow, not a labyrinth of couches and coffee tables.
Avoid blocking windows, doorways, and pathways.
Arrange furniture to create conversational areas and to showcase space and functionality.
Opt for fewer pieces that serve multiple purposes and are appropriately scaled to the room size.
Mismatched styles
You want to create a cohesive style throughout each room of your home so that when a potential buyer is either perusing the internet and swiping through images or at an in-person viewing they aren’t experiencing ‘interior whiplash’ as they transition from room to room.
To work out which style would suit your home best, consider the end buyer.
Are they a modern family, a trendy couple or an older demographic?
Outdated furnishings
To achieve the maximum offer possible for your home, people want to buy a home that is relevant in this era.
Furniture that looks like it’s from a bygone era can date your home, making it less appealing to contemporary buyers and will jeopardise achieving the price you want.
Replace or reupholster dated pieces with more modern, neutral options that appeal to a broader audience.
Personalised decor
While your family photos and quirky collectibles have sentimental value, they can make it difficult for buyers to envision themselves in your home, and they often result in a cluttered atmosphere.
Remove the majority of your family photo frames, inspirational quote plaques and souvenirs from your travel so that buyers can imagine adding their own personal touches.
Overly bold colours and patterns
While bold colours and patterns can express personality, they might not appeal to the majority of buyers.
Stick to neutral tones for larger pieces of furniture and use bolder colours sparingly as accents.
This will make your property pop online but won’t repel those who are offended by boldness.
This creates a versatile palette that appeals to more people and makes rooms feel larger and more inviting.
Interiors expert Liv Conlon runs ThePropertyStagers.co.uk, staging 400 homes across the UK every year, and StagerBoss, teaching women how to launch their own property staging brand.
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