How to Stage your Empty Country Home

I knew this property was going to challenge me.

It was a very large property, extremely dated, and there was a lot to do. Viewing this home for the first time, I could see why buyers were reluctant.

After a long and unsuccessful stint on the market, the owners were keen to sell and willing to invest. Together we developed a plan of action. I advised them on what needed to be done, and they managed it with military precision. The project ran on time and to budget. Read on to find out what we did and how it helped.

Property Renovations

When renovations are needed to make a house more saleable, it's important to strike a balance—do what's needed without getting carried away. Where possible, I work with the existing interior, finding easy and effective ways to enhance how it looks.

For this property, the renovations included:

Painting: I chose one colour that would work in every space.

Flooring: New carpets in a single style were installed throughout for continuity. I selected new vinyl flooring for the bathrooms and LVT for the kitchen. We kept the original wood flooring which flowed through most of the ground floor, once cleaned up, it looked fantastic. An original feature like this is a real selling point.

Kitchen: Respraying the kitchen transformed the dark and dated pine cabinets into a bright and welcoming space, perfect for this country home. Respraying is a great way to give new life to an old kitchen, and it's much simpler than replacing it. You can't predict what your buyer's ideal kitchen will be, so whenever possible, making the best of what you have is a better solution.

I revisited the property several times throughout the renovations, and each time I became more excited about staging it.

Staging the Property

With the renovations complete, the property was already in a much stronger position. The next phase was to furnish and dress it.

In a large house with many rooms, it's hard for viewers to remember and distinguish each space. I chose furniture and accessories that suited the property's style and location. Some rooms had more of a traditional look, while others had a lighter, fresher feel.

All the furniture and accessories were supplied on a monthly rental. I planned each room in advance, ensuring the installation was quick and ran smoothly. Staging the property took 3 days to install and one day to remove.

As I was on hand to manage the whole project, the owners were able to take a break and watch as the scheme came together.

The Result

Before staging, the property had been on the market for over a year with only a few viewings and no offers received.

After staging, the property sold within six weeks. There were two interested parties, and an offer was accepted from a cash buyer.

Are You in a Similar Situation?

Do you have a large, empty property that you're struggling to sell? You may know that a change of tactics is needed but not know where to start.

I can help and advise you. This story is not uncommon, and neither is the result.
If you'd like to find out how I can help you sell your home, get in touch so we can start the conversation.
lorna@neshinteriors.co.uk