How to Stage Your Home to Sell During the Winter Holidays
The winter holiday season is a magical time of year. But while the twinkling lights, festive decorations, and cozy vibes may feel warm and inviting, they can also pose a challenge if you're trying to sell a home. With the market typically slowing down during the winter months in New Hampshire, it can feel like a daunting task to prepare your home for potential buyers.
However, staging your home during the winter holidays can actually work to your advantage. Buyers who are out and about during this time are often serious, and a home that's thoughtfully staged can make a lasting impression. By striking the right balance between holiday cheer and showcasing the best features of your property, you can create a welcoming atmosphere that helps your home stand out.
Here’s how to stage your home to sell during the holidays:
1. Clear Your Walkways
First impressions are everything, and safe, inviting access to your home is no exception. At a minimum, be sure to shovel snow and apply salt/sand to your driveways, walkways, and porches to ensure potential buyers have a safe and easy entrance into your home.
2. Hang a Winter Wreath on the Front Door
A lush wreath of winter greenery provides a warm and inviting touch to your home’s holiday curb appeal. Consider keeping your wreath simple and neutral. Here are a few of our favorite winter holiday front door wreaths:
3. Use Warm and Inviting Lighting
During the winter months, natural light can be scarce. Since light plays a huge role in how welcoming and spacious a home feels, lighting becomes even more important when staging a home during the holidays.
Take advantage of the season: If you’re showcasing a fireplace, make sure it's lit to create a cozy, inviting ambiance. The soft glow of a fire can make any room feel warmer and more comfortable.
Incorporate holiday lights: Twinkling fairy lights or soft string lights can create a warm, magical atmosphere. Just be sure not to overdo it—focus on areas that will enhance the overall mood without overwhelming the room.
Layer light sources: Use a mix of overhead lights, table lamps, and floor lamps to create a balanced, inviting glow. Avoid relying on just one light source.
Exterior illumination: Don’t forget the outside too! Adequate exterior lighting is also a must as the days grow shorter and buyers are often viewing your home during evening hours in the dark. Soft uplighting, strings of white lights and window candles are beautiful additions to an exterior winter lighting scheme.
4. Keep Holiday Decor Simple & Elegant
It’s tempting to go all out with holiday decor—after all, the season is about celebrating! But when it comes to staging a home, less is more. Keep decorations elegant and understated, avoiding clutter that could distract potential buyers from the features of your home. Focus on key areas like the entryway, living room, and dining room. A small tabletop tree or two, a wreath on the door, and a few tasteful garlands can be enough to add a touch of holiday spirit without being overwhelming. Remember, you want buyers to picture themselves in the space, not get distracted by personal holiday items.
