Tips for Staging Rental Properties

Staging a rental property is a proven way to make it more attractive to prospective renters. A staged rental will draw higher quality renters and rent faster, says McCaw Management. However, when staging for rent, you can’t do it the same way you approach staging for sale.

Whether staging for rent or sale, the tools are the same. You will use the same interior design techniques. But how you deploy them will vary because the goal of staging for rent is different from the goal when staging for sale.

When you stage a rental, the goal is to make it move-in ready. You want to make the home feel lived-in so that a potential tenant feels like moving into it immediately. 

What steps should you take to achieve this result? Read on to find out.

1.    Know what your target renters want

What kind of person is most likely to rent your home and what is your target demographic? Are you looking to attract young unmarried professionals, married couples with small families, or is it an upscale rental for middle-aged individuals?

2.    Always neat and clean

A clean and tidy home makes the best impression. The home should be ready for showing at a moment’s notice. If you make time every 2-3 days to clean and tidy, you can keep the home in a fairly good state.

3.    Think of layout and flow

The arrangement of items should create focal points of interest. There should be flow; make it easy to navigate around rooms by using furniture with a lighter build and placing them in a way that maximizes airflow.

4.    Remove personal items

If a décor item has your name or picture, you should not use it. Family photos, framed certificates, sports trophies, or anything affiliated with a sports team, political party, or religion should be excluded.

5.    Use a monochromatic neutral theme

A monochromatic theme will let prospective tenants focus on the items in a room rather than on the color of the walls. Neutral colors have a wide acceptance and make rooms feel larger and brighter. It is also easier for renters to match their decor to a neutral color.

6.    Create character with color accents

Adding bursts of color to your color scheme will make the theme more striking. Accent colors keep walls from feeling bland. When you choose accents, make sure the colors go well with the overall theme.

7.    Use lighting strategically

Use a lot of natural lighting – it is cheaper, healthier, and more attractive – keep windows open or free of obstructions. Artificial lighting should have dual functions as décor items and sources of illumination. Use combinations of table/floor lamps, pendants, and recessed lighting.

8.    Highlight the home’s best features

Arrange furniture and décor to draw attention to specific aspects or areas of the home. For instance, if the home has a great view, a beautiful fireplace, or royal stairway, make sure it is on display. Do not let the home’s selling points get drowned by clutter.

9.    Choose furniture and accessories carefully

Avoid bulky furniture pieces; they take up space and make rooms look smaller. Artificially aged wood furniture will make a great impression. Make sure rugs, throw pillow, window blinds, and other accessories blend with the home’s color scheme.

10.                  Liven up scenes

Small details will make scenes come alive. Set the dining table with dishes, a fruit bowl, or flowers. Light scented candles in bathrooms. Leave a pair of home slippers by the bed. Place coffee-filled mugs with fresh-baked cookies on the kitchen table.  Switch on the TV and turn down the volume.

11.                  Show the potential of every space

Show potential renters how they can utilize rooms. People often have trouble visualizing what they can do with the spaces in a home. Make sure you answer their questions by the way you deploy items across the home.

12.                  Define the function of each room or space

The purpose of any room or space should be clear from the items in it and the way they are arranged. You should not need to explain to prospective renters what an area is meant for; it should be apparent.

13.                  Add touches of luxury

You don’t need to buy expensive stuff, just buy quality items. People can spot the difference between cheap and quality stuff. This should apply to the appliances in the home, and minor items like beddings, towels, and mats.

14.                  Don’t leave out the exterior

The exterior is the first part of your home visitors encounter; pay attention to the landscaping, walls, and other details of the exterior. Make sure windows are cleaned, paint is not faded or damaged, hedges are trimmed, lawns are mowed, and driveways are washed.

15.                  Touch up the entryway

The entrance to the home should grab attention. Little touches can make a lot of difference, such as the color of the front door, the quality of the door hardware, a nice mat, or rug in front, and scented flowers to frame the area.