When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are key. You want prospective buyers to step through the door and immediately feel at home. By staging your home thoughtfully, you can create that welcoming atmosphere that draws people in and makes them envision themselves living there. Luckily, you have control in ensuring your home leaves a lasting impression that leads to a successful sale. Here’s how.

Declutter and depersonalize.

Nobody wants to envision themselves living in a messy house. That’s why it’s so important to remove any excess furniture, knick-knacks and personal items to create a clean and clutter-free environment. Do a walkthrough to make sure that every room is clean, organized, and free of any signs of wear and tear.

Pro Tip: Why would you need to remove any personal items? That’s because clearing your countertops, closets and shelves can actually help buyers better visualize their belongings in the space.

Highlight key features.

Every home comes with features that make it special. This can be anything from a spacious kitchen to a beautiful backyard. Whatever makes your home stand out, try to highlight it during the walkthrough. Beyond simply talking about them, you can be strategic by using tactical lighting, arranging furniture a certain way or incorporating complementary decor to spotlight these features so that they’re hard to miss.

Create a neutral palette.

When staging your home, a neutral color palette is more likely to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Neutral colors are easy to build upon, and using them during a walkthrough can help buyers imagine adding their own personal touches, too. Plus, neutral tones create a sense of spaciousness and tranquility, making the space feel bigger and more relaxing than it really is, so consider painting walls in soft shades like beige, gray, or creamy whites.

Maximize natural light.

To keep potential buyers interested, be sure to open up your curtains and blinds to let in ample natural light during the walkthrough. You should also clean windows and trim any overgrown foliage outside of them to let even more sunlight in for a bright and airy space.

Accessorize thoughtfully.

While accessorizing is the fun part of home staging, it should be done thoughtfully. Too many accessories can start to resemble clutter, so be sure to decorate sparingly to keep it from feeling overcrowded.

When picking your accessories, go for ones that complement the existing style and architecture of the home with decorative blankets, artwork or houseplants. That way, they add a touch of personality without overpowering your space.

Create a welcoming entrance.

Because the entrance is one of the first areas people see, it sets the tone for the entire walkthrough. For example, you can add a fresh coat of paint to the front door so that your home appears well-maintained, or decorate with potted plants and flowers to create a fresh, lively ambiance that anyone will be intrigued by.

Invite feedback.

After you’re done preparing your home for a walkthrough, don’t be afraid to ask your real estate agent or staging professional for their feedback. These professionals are great for offering valuable insights, plus suggestions for how to improve.