Staging a primary bedroom is an essential part of preparing a home for sale. It’s especially vital in the competitive real estate markets of Mississauga and Oakville, Ontario. The bedroom is one of the most personal and significant spaces in a home. It’s the place we go to rest, relax, and take refuge. These are just some of the reasons why the primary bedroom plays a crucial role in attracting potential buyers. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why it’s important to stage the primary bedroom. We’ll look at what buyers look for in terms of practicality, and of course, what they desire in a bedroom. We’ll also provide practical ideas for effectively staging a primary bedroom in Mississauga or Oakville.
Why Staging the Primary Bedroom is Important
The Primary bedroom is the space where buyers come to view with excitement and sometimes trepidation. It’s that space which will be just theirs. The living room, kitchen, and dining room are spaces where everyone can visit, congregate, and enjoy as public spaces. However, the primary bedroom is the space that is just for the homeowner.
- Personal Retreat: The primary bedroom is viewed as a private retreat where homeowners can relax and unwind. A well-staged primary bedroom helps buyers imagine themselves enjoying this personal sanctuary.
- Creates a Positive Impression: A beautiful primary bedroom creates a positive impression and can influence a buyer’s overall perception of the home. It sets the tone for comfort and luxury.
- Showcases Potential: Staging helps highlight the primary bedroom’s potential in terms of space, layout, and functionality. Buyers can better visualize how they would use the room and how their furniture would fit.
- Differentiates Your Home: In a competitive market, staging can set your home apart from others. A well-presented primary bedroom can make your home more memorable and appealing to buyers.
- Increases Perceived Value: A staged master bedroom can enhance the perceived value of the home. Buyers are often willing to pay more for a home that feels move-in ready and stylish.
What Buyers Look for
So what the main things that buyers look for? Here’s a list of the top elements that buyers crave.
- Space and Layout: Buyers look for a spacious primary bedroom with a functional layout. They want to see ample room for a bed, nightstands, dressers, and possibly a seating area.
- Natural Light: Bright, well-lit bedrooms are highly desirable. Buyers appreciate large windows that let in plenty of natural light.
- Storage Solutions: Adequate storage is a key consideration when you are staging a primary bedroom. Walk-in closets or ample closet space with organizational systems are highly appealing.
- Neutral and Relaxing Decor: Neutral colors and calming decor create a serene atmosphere. These days buyers are seeking a space that feels like a peaceful retreat.
- Cleanliness and Maintenance: A clean, well-maintained bedroom indicates that the rest of the home is likely in good condition. Buyers are drawn to spaces that are tidy and well-kept.
- Quality Finishes and Fixtures: Buyers appreciate quality finishes and fixtures, such as hardwood floors, stylish light fixtures, and well-chosen window treatments.
Want some more tips on how to stage closets? Here’s a post you might want to read.
Unspoken Desires
I’ve shown many a buyer a home with a primary bedroom that meets the criteria above. It’s large enough, has enough storage, flooring and walls are fine, has enough natural light. In other words, it was fine. But, secretly buyers crave a beautiful space. They want luxury. Buyers want to see that they can have that sanctuary, that wonderous place where they can relax, and rejuvenate. It will be the space that they can store their clothes, try on and experiment with their clothes, get ready for the day, or for a party. It’s the intimate space where we can just be ourselves, or dream about being someone else.
But I don’t live in a showhome – I live in my house! How on earth can I create this magical feeling you are describing Clarissa?
Tips for not just neutralizing but elevating your primary bedroom
Ok, I run the risk here of advising you on how to create the bedroom everyone dreams of – the catch – you may not want to sell your home after making these changes. So, if you are investing in new bedding, towels, and throw pillows buy the best you can afford as you’ll be taking them with you to your new home.
Steps to creating the perfect primary bedroom you won’t want to leave
Step 1: Clean and de-clutter
- De-clutter, pack up all clothes that are not in season. The more space you have in your closet the better it will look. This goes for shoes, bags, hats and caps, etc. If you can’t store them outside the room make sure they are in uniform boxes (marked so it’s easier for packing). This eliminates visual clutter.
- Arrange clothes so that they are either by type or colour so they are uniform and tidy. Think like with like items – jackets, shirts, pants, etc. If you don’t already use matching hangers, change your hangers. I really like to use the slim velvet hangers as clothes don’t fall to the ground and they don’t take up much space.
- Clean your closet and make sure that there aren’t random parcels and bags on the floor. Ensure shoes are together and not jumbled in heaps.
- Now the closet is tidy get rid of almost everything on the tops of your dressers. Just keep a few items. Put away good jewellery and watches and all electronics. I like to put a pretty vase of silk flowers on a dresser.
It may seem strange to recommend small things like coat hangers but you’d be amazed how many million dollar homes I got into where the homeowner has tons of clothes, many way past their best before date and on cheap wire hangers or worse, on giveaway hangers from clothing stores. In elevating the way you treat your wardrobe you give yourself permission to elevate your life. By clearing out the non-essential clothing you are able to enjoy what you have and ensure it looks good.
Step 2 : Create a bed you’ll never want to leave
- Buy or use the best neutral bedspread you can afford. I use white, cream, or silver with a tiny bit of texture. I avoid bold patterns for bedding.
- I do use patterned cushions. Stack pillows – 4-6 depending on the size of the bed. You want a perspective buyers to want to feel that they could just relax and unwind on the bed.
Step 3: Neutralize
This step is hard because you do still live there and you use this space every day.
- Are the bedside tables clear? Make sure there is just a lamp. Remove the other items.
- Consider the artwork. If you have family pictures, remove them. The more neutral and larger the better.
- Are the drapes or blind clean? One of the first things that people do in a bedroom is look out the window to see the view and imagine waking up to that view. Are the window sills clean? How about the windows?
Step 4: Remove Extra Furniture
I often find that people have too much furniture in a bedroom. Do you really need a desk in the bedroom? Maybe, while you are selling your home you should remove the desk. Store suitcases elsewhere.
Does your Primary Bedroom have an En-suite Bathroom?
If you are fortunate enough to have an en-suite bathroom make sure it’s as luxurious as it can be.
- If you don’t have fresh white towels buy them now! You can take them with you to your new home. Nothing says “this is my house and not a showhome” faster than grotty towels.
- Remove personal items – both on the countertop and in the shower.
- Clean, clean, clean!
- Finally, please keep the toilet seat down. I hate seeing a toilet seat up in real estate photos and in visits. Buyers don’t like them either!
En-suite?
- Stage the en-suite Bathroom: If the bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, make sure it is also staged and spotless. For example you can use plush towels and stylish accessories. Don’t forget to ensure all fixtures are clean and in good working order. Here again think luxury – indulge in the best towels you can find. You can take them with you to your new home!
- Put that toothbrush out of sight as well as any other personal grooming items. Yes, nose hair clippers, mouthwash, shampoo, deodorant. Your buyers want to envision themselves living in this space, not sharing it with you!
Your buyers want to envision themselves living in this space, not living in it with you!
Conclusion
The primary bedroom is a space that buyers really care about. It’s important when you are staging the primary bedroom that you pay attention to the details. The more luxury in the form of pillows, throws, and bedding as well as well-placed accessories will showcase the room, creating the perfect retreat buyers will remember.
Looking to sell your home in Mississauga, Oakville, Etobicoke, Burlington, or Milton? Give me a call or visit my real estate website www.clarissa.ca for more information.
I’d love to work together
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