6 Steps to a Beautifully Staged Kitchen

You might be thinking, why stage a kitchen? Or there is no furniture in the kitchen, is that even staging? From my experience, after the location of a house, the kitchen is the next most important feature. Kitchens sell homes so you want yours looking it’s absolute best. Remember, staging is all about highlighting the features of a home so let’s not overlook the most important room in the house. And the best part is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a show worthy kitchen space.

Declutter and clean: While, this is important in every room in your home, you need to make your kitchen as clean and clutter free as possible. You are highlighting your cabinets, counters and appliances, so there shouldn’t be distractions. Having a clean kitchen will also give the impressions that the home is well taken care of.

Start by removing any unnecessary items from countertops, tables, and other surfaces including the top of the refrigerator and the top of the cabinets. You should aim for NOTHING on the counters. We’ll add back a few items to style the counters later. Try to find a home for small appliances in a cabinet or other storage area. Clear off the refrigerator of personal items, magnets, and notes. Clean all surfaces thoroughly, including countertops, cabinet doors, appliances inside and outside (yes, people will look inside the oven), floors, and windows. Vacuum any crumbs up from drawers or crevices. Move appliances out to clean behind them.

Organize cabinets and drawers: Neatly organize the contents of your cabinets and drawers. Get rid of unused items or pack items you won’t be needing for awhile, such as the turkey platter. Potential buyers will open the cabinets and the refrigerator to assess storage space, so make sure everything is tidy and well-arranged. Consider using drawer dividers and organizers to maximize space and create a clean appearance.

Enhance lighting: Adequate lighting is crucial for a well-staged kitchen. Open curtains or blinds to let in natural light and clean windows to ensure they are spotless. If needed, add or replace lighting fixtures or replace bulbs to create a bright and welcoming ambiance.

Add fresh elements: Place a bowl of fresh fruits or a vase of colorful flowers on the countertop or dining table. These simple additions can bring life and vibrancy to the kitchen while adding a touch of elegance.

Style countertops sparingly: Keep the countertops clean and clutter-free, but you can add a few well-chosen accessories to enhance the visual appeal. For example, a decorative cutting board, a cookbook stand, or a stylish coffee maker can add a touch of personality without overwhelming the space.

Create a pleasant aroma: Prior to any showings or guests arriving, make sure your kitchen smells fresh and clean. Take out the garbage and run the garbage disposal. The best time to cook seafood or curry is not right before you show the house. Avoid strong cooking odors and consider using subtle scents, such as baking cookies or a very lightly scented candle, to create a welcoming atmosphere. If in doubt, open up the windows for a couple of hours before showings. Or try out a simple simmer and boil some water with orange and lemon slices to give the home a slight citrus scent. Do NOT go out and buy the plug in air fresheners the day before. No scent is better than an overpowering scent, and buyers may be wondering if you are trying to cover something up.

There we have it. 6 easy steps to get your kitchen looking it’s best. It’s amazing what some cleaning, decluttering and a bit of styling can do! You can have your kitchen ready for showings costing you little to no money out of pocket and seeing great returns!