With the rise of virtual tours, videography, and online listings, outstanding home staging has never been more important. While most real estate agents are already familiar with some tried and true real estate staging techniques, each year brings a chance to look at some of the hottest home trends that will influence staging for the coming year. From a minimalistic perspective to a greater focus on nature, we are looking at the hottest real estate staging tips and techniques for 2019.

Strategic and Colorful Accessories

When staging a home, adding flashes of color can make any listing pop. According to the Pinterest and Pantone gods, Living Coral, BEHR’s Blueprint, and deep, foresty greens are ruling in 2019. Adding these colors into your real estate staging process this year is a must.

Brightly colored accessories do wonders to draw attention to certain areas of a room and can add a vibrant vibe to any space. A few, strategically placed throw pillows in Living Coral, can draw the eye to selling features like bay windows or a cozy fireplace. Creating a little contrast in just the right spots will ensure a room doesn’t come off as dull or lifeless.

Focus On Neutral Colors

On the flip side, neutrals never go out of style and they have never been hotter. Both Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are boasting neutrals (Cavern Clay and Metropolitan AF-690) as their 2019 colors of the year. The classic rule of thumb that homes show well with neutral palettes has never been truer. Adding the bright pops of Living Coral, deep blues, and dark greens is important, but the majority of the listing should be classically decked out in neutrals.

The most important room to utilize neutrals in is the bathroom. Color psychology reveals that humans connect neutrals like white and beige with cleanliness and purity. Nothing turns buyers off more quickly than a bathroom they perceive as dirty. Additionally, if there are any holdovers of those bright, garish accent walls from the early 2000s, it’s best to suggest that the homeowner, cover them up with white or taupe.

Minimalism

2019 has kicked off with a major de-clutter trend. Marie Kondo’s Netflix show “Tidying up with Marie Kondo” has become a runaway hit and minimalism is trending. Decluttering has been part of any real estate staging process for decades, but never has it been more necessary.

Aside from having home sellers remove personal photos and niche memorabilia, it is also important to declutter. A good motivator for sellers is to remind them that they will be moving soon, so it is the perfect time to start purging and part with anything unlikely to make the move.

Quick tips for creating a clean, minimalistic space include:

• swapping out large trashcans for smaller sizes that can be concealed within cabinets
• hooks to hang items within work and kitchen spaces
• using storage boxes to fill bookcases with hidden clutter
• tubes like shower rods to conceal messes of cables and cords

If all else fails, door-fronted furniture like Ikea’s Kallax Units are a home seller’s best friend. In order to maximize the apparent size of the rooms, remove as much furniture as possible.

Simple Windows

If a listing’s curtains or drapes look like they were purchased in the ’80s, it’s time for an update. This goes right along with the 2019 minimalism trend. Instead of over-the-top window treatments, curtain rods, and blinds, opt for something fresh, neutral, and open. Beige or white curtains or simple blinds are best. Curtains and blinds should be open and the windows should be clean. If using curtains, select ones that extend all the way from the floor to the ceiling. This is because curtains that only extend to the bottom of the window frame cut visual space in half, creating an awkward, blocky appearance that creates the illusion of a smaller space.

Clean Air

In 2019, biophilia is also having a moment. The relationship between people and nature has never been more prevalent than today. Conversations surrounding sustainability, phone addiction, and natural resources are heating up. These themes are being reflected in decor trends for 2019.

Maximizing natural light, house plants, and accents that are deep, foresty greens are in. A couple strategically placed and well-taken-care-of plants can add an air of freshness and liveliness to a home. Place a few, green plants in high impact areas of the house and open the windows.

To further add to the freshness of a home, be sure to check the scent. Clean citrus scents pair perfectly with the minimalism and biophilia trends of 2019. For open houses, sending a few lemons and orange rinds down the garbage disposer instantly freshens any kitchen. Likewise, storing an open container of oats in the fridge and a few hidden boxes of baking soda around a home clears the air.

Front Entries

When a potential buyer first approaches a home, every effort should be made to wow. After all, first impressions matter. The front entrance of the home should have special attention when prepping. Neutral, minimalism is key. Yard decor should be removed and if there is a front porch, a power washing is in order. Hanging a mirror near the front of the home is also a great idea because it literally forces buyers to picture/see themselves in the home.

Let The Light In

Anyone who has done real estate staging knows that dark homes make for terrible photos and are also are unappealing for showings. But with Biophilia and Minimalism trending, now more than ever, it’s important to let as much light into the home as possible. All of the blinds in the home should be opened and the windows should be clean. If the yard is less than ideal, consider only partially opening the blinds so that light is allowed in while still obscuring the outside view. If the natural light is not that great, it’s still important to turn on all of the lights.

Wrapping Up

With the rise of virtual tours, listing videos, and online home shopping, real estate staging is more important than ever. In addition to the classic staging techniques that Realtors have picked up over the years, each new year offers an opportunity to connect with current home trends. Classic staging techniques like letting light in and decluttering are more important than ever. And minimized decor, soothing neutrals, a pop of color, and a touch of nature will go a long way to resonating with potential home buyers in 2019.

Bonus: For the best place to show off every perfectly staged photo, virtual tour, and listing video in one place, check out Single Property Sites media showcase.