As you set out to flaunt your home’s best assets, the most vital element might be the lighting tasked with accentuating it all. Think about it: we love parks, shopping centers, and other public areas that have bright, ample lighting. Potential buyers will appreciate the same glow coming from your home.

It’s not as simple as turning on every overhead light. You need to choose the right combination of blubs to brighten up the space. Here are seven staging tips to ensure your property is perfectly lit before a showing. 

1. What Do You Use the Room For? 

As you contemplate where to add lighting within your home, consider each space’s utility first: how much light does a person need to make this area functional? For example, your kitchen probably has overhead lighting built in, but focused task lighting can brighten it further and make cooking simpler and safer.

Consider adding a lighting system underneath your cabinets, should the space need a brighter glow. The same goes for the bathroom, where primping happens. A bright light over or around the mirror can transform a dark, gloomy bathroom into a functional place to get ready.

2. Modernize Light Fixtures 

As potential buyers peruse your home, they’re sure to look at where the light’s coming from and evaluate those fixtures, too. You might think an old fixture isn’t something you have to fix. A new homeowner can swap it out for something that suits their tastes, right? This is true, but it could affect your bottom line if the person buying your home knows they have to update the fixtures. 

So, go ahead and swap out any chandelier or fixture that feels old-fashioned. You should also make sure every bulb works, whether it’s part of a dangling lamp or a simple recessed bulb. Buyers will want to know how the lighting looks in every area they enter. If a bulb is out, this could risk the sale of the home.  

3. Consider Layers 

When it comes to decorating, layering is an art form. You can place rugs atop one another, or pile throw pillows and blankets atop an already patterned sofa for added interest. The same goes for your lighting setup, but don’t rely on overheads alone. Instead, try placing a table or floor lamp, so the level of light is even throughout the space. This is especially important in older homes, which typically do not have the plethora of recessed bulbs and overhead fixtures we see in modern construction. 

4. Make It Energy-Efficient

As you add new lamps and bulbs to your space, be sure that what you’re installing has a high energy-efficiency rating. Today’s buyer wants a home that runs in an eco-friendly and budget-friendly manner. Traditional incandescent bulbs burn out quickly and use much more energy to function than their LED or compound fluorescent lamp (CFL) counterparts.

You can also consider using smart bulbs in your home. Smart bulbs are also energy efficient, but you can change the brightness depending on the time of day and turn them on and off using your smartphone. Yes, these options tend to cost more, but those who tour your property will like knowing they won’t have to pay more to keep the lights on. To learn more about the different kinds of lighting, check out this article about sustainable lighting. 

5. Add the Illusion of Space

No matter how cozy it feels to you, a dark room can feel cramped to those touring your home. On top of that, if you have oversized furniture or too many pieces, the room can feel cramped and small.  

Part of your staging will have to cover moving the oversized furniture, but keep in mind that the dark space will still feel cramped without the right lighting. If the room is small, then you might be wary of losing square footage to a floor lamp or table with a lamp on top of it. In that case, consider installing wall sconces or an overhead fixture. If you need more tips on how to prepare your home before a tour, see this handy check list.

6. Let in Natural Light

Another element beloved by potential buyers everywhere is natural light. Unfortunately, you can’t purchase a lamp or bulb to enhance your property’s natural light. What you can do is ensure as many of the sun’s rays are flooding into the property as possible by throwing back curtains, opening blinds, and removing any other obstructions from the window area. If you know what time your home is at its sunniest, suggest showings to your real estate agent during this time so buyers see the property in all its glory. But if your home lacks natural light, you can repaint the home in neutrals or white to at least create the illusion that the home is brighter.  

7. Incorporate Outdoor Lighting 

Finally, your home’s curb appeal can make or break a sale. If potential buyers drive up after dark and can’t see your property, you have a problem. So, add outdoor lighting to your to-do list. Aside from spotlights on the facade, you might want to light any foliage that deserves attention. The same goes for your backyard; although it’s not technically part of your property’s curb appeal, adding a porch light can really help brighten the yard up. 

Light It Up 

With a few small upgrades to your existing lighting scheme, you will be on your way to a successful staging of your property. The right lamps and fixtures highlight all the wonderful features of the place for the next person who moves in!

Have you ever been out for a Sunday drive, saw an “open house” sign, and decided to pop in for a look, even though you weren’t planning to buy? If so, you aren’t alone. Open houses tend to attract not only potential buyers, but also curious neighbors, those seeking decorating ideas for their own homes, and area real estate agents.

An open house may seem antiquated in the age of virtual tours, but there’s still something about seeing a house in person. You can peek in the closets, get a feel for the neighborhood, and see if the back yard is actually as large as it looks online. By visiting open houses, you can get a feel for the market casually at your own pace, so it’s a great way for new home buyers to get a sense of what they like and don’t like before they reach out to a real estate agent. If you’re a seller, an open house is a great way to create a buzz. The more eyes on your home the better. You never know when a curious neighbor will decide your house would be perfect for them or someone they know.

Despite the benefits of open houses, they can be a little awkward. For buyers, you don’t quite know what you can and can’t do since it’s still someone else’s house. For sellers, it can be difficult having strangers walking through your house, peeking in your closets. Unless attending open houses is how you spend your weekends, you probably haven’t been to enough to know what’s expected and what might be frowned upon.

Open House Etiquette for Home Buyers

While there aren’t any rules for open houses, there are some generally accepted things you should and shouldn’t do. Here are some things home buyers should keep in mind:

• Unless there’s a sign stating otherwise, you don’t have to knock. While it may feel wrong to walk into someone else’s house unannounced, you aren’t supposed to ring the doorbell or knock when going to an open house. Just walk right in. If you don’t see the listing agent right away, you can call out a greeting to get their attention.

• It’s fine to examine house features, but not personal items. Yes, you can look inside the closets. After all, how else will you know if there’s enough space for your sneaker collection? Same goes for the pantry and garage. You want to make sure the spaces are adequate. However, don’t go through dresser drawers or look inside the refrigerator. Remember: people still live there, so try not to invade their privacy.

• Leave food and drink behind. For a lot of people, coffee is essential, especially in the morning. But consider what could happen if someone bumps into you or you trip on the corner of a rug. You don’t want to be sopping up spilled coffee from someone else’s carpet or worse, off their white sofa. Many homeowners will provide finger foods and snacks for guests at the open house. It’s fine to take what’s offered but stay in the area where the food is provided while eating so you aren’t leaving a trail of crumbs through the house.

• Try not to sit on the furniture. Maybe you’re tired after a long morning of open houses, or maybe your significant other is still wandering around and you just want a comfortable place to wait. While it’s tempting to flop down on the sofa, it might not be real! If the house is staged, there’s a good chance the furniture is made from cardboard. Staging furniture looks deceptively real, so if you must sit, test it out first and make sure it’s actually a sofa.

• Don’t use the bathroom. When planning your day of open house visits, be sure to schedule in a stop at a café or other place where you can use the facilities. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you need to use the bathroom in someone’s house. If the house has been empty, the water might not even be turned on, and you don’t want to find yourself in that situation. Also, there are other people trying to look at the house, as well, including the bathroom. If you’re in there for any length of time, it could make everyone uncomfortable. If you absolutely must go, make sure you ask first (to avoid the whole “no water” situation).

• Wait your turn. If other people are viewing a room, wait for them to leave before you enter. This allows everyone to see the space unimpeded.

• Leave young kids at home. The house likely isn’t childproofed, which means furniture could tip over or breakables might be within reach of tiny hands. Young children are easily overwhelmed, especially when they’re in a strange place, which could lead to them acting out or running around. This could lead to an unpleasant situation for everyone, including you, so try to find a sitter. If you can’t, bring someone along to help you manage the kids.

• Leave your dog at home, too. Unless it’s a service animal, leave your pet at home when touring open houses. Even though you might want to make sure your dog likes the back yard, an unfamiliar place where strangers are coming and going will likely stress your dog out and make other visitors uncomfortable. Besides, some people are allergic. If you must know if your dog likes the house, wait for a private viewing, get permission from the seller, and only do this with homes you’re seriously considering.

• Be careful what you say. You don’t know who’s listening, so don’t be overly critical of the house as you tour, and don’t criticize the homeowner’s taste in décor or style. On the flip side, don’t gush about how much you adore the house and how it’s perfect for you. If you do, the seller could leverage that information to their advantage when you submit an offer. Stay neutral and save your comments for the ride home.

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