The living room is where family members gather with friends and neighbors. Its the heart of the home where you can relax, entertain and catch up.  You probably don’t mind if there are marks on the walls, stains on the flooring or dim lighting—however, you’ll have to remedy these flaws to compete with other homes for sale.

Staging the living room with neutral paint colors, proper furniture layouts and fun accessories create a space that buyers can imagine living in. And it may also increase the number and amount of your offers.

Five Tips to Stage Your Living Room to Sell

Following these tips to stage your living room in your home for sale.

1. Before you begin the staging process, make sure the living room is properly decluttered. Take away pictures and mementos that are too personal for prospective buyers to relate to so that you can start with a blank slate.
2. Consider renting a storage unit so that you can keep just enough furniture for inviting seating areas away from the walls, which makes the room look bigger.
3. Create a focal point. If you have a mantel, eyes will automatically be drawn there. Fresh flowers and scented candles reminiscent of baked goods are nice touches that help buyers relax and feel at home.
4. Repaint the walls for a clean look. Neutral colors work best to avoid turning off buyers with specific palette preferences.
5. Accent with care. Add throw pillows in primary colors and drape a cozy blanket neatly over the arm of a couch or chair. These careful touches have a positive impact on those shopping for a new home.

Stand Out from Other Homes for Sale

Remember to appeal to the five senses. The living room should be neat and clean. Flowers and candles should give off a homey vibe without being overpowering.

Relaxing music, such as instrumental or classical recordings can put home buyers at ease. Textural accents like soft blankets and decorations with interesting shapes offer another connection to prospects to improve your chances of a fast sell and a great sales price.