Checklist to prep your living room for open houses and showings

Living rooms are a place to entertain and relax, so when staging to sell a home, you want to focus on showing the functions of the space.

Style preferences change, but the function of a living room remains relatively consistent. Some homes have two living spaces, like a family room and a sitting room. In this case, one can be set up to entertain guests, and the other can showcase how the owner can relax and maybe watch a movie. If there is only one room, then try to showcase both qualities.

The level of staging will change based on the room and how it is set up. You might need to rearrange furniture or remove clunky pieces. Keeping the room physically and visually clean is really important to impress potential buyers.

Here are some steps to refresh and stage your living spaces.

Before you start adding anything, you need to wipe the slate clean by decluttering and performing a thorough deep clean.

• Vacuum the whole room
• Make sure to move the furniture and clean under it
• Wipe the baseboards and window sills
• Wash windows and mirrors
• Dust the whole room, including the lamps, light fixtures and the back of the TV
• Remove trinkets and personal items
• Take down any personal art or pictures
• Remove excess furniture to create more space
• Hide electronics, cords and remotes in drawers
• Hide all evidence of pets

Identify the best features in the living space and determine how to highlight them effectively.

• Consider rearranging furniture for a natural flow
• Showcase focal points like fireplaces and windows
• Don’t block walkways or doors
• Create a symmetrical balance in the room
• Open all the curtains or blinds
• Turn on all the lights, including lamps
• Replace light bulbs

Pro tip: Try walking around the room to make sure that two or three people can get around easily.

Personal taste ranges, but for staging, keeping spaces neutral is best. Less is more — even if it feels bare or boring, that’s OK. If you want to enhance the room, stick to neutral decor.

• Pick each couch cushion up, shake it and put it back down
• Fluff each throw pillow and place it upright
• Fold one throw blanket and drape it over the couch
• Add a few neutral accessories like books and plants
• Add a neutral-color floral arrangement
• Use mirrors to reflect light and make the room feel bigger
• Make sure the temperature is comfortable and the room smells good

Pro tip: "Clean scents" are good. Having too much of a scent can be offensive to some buyers and give the appearance that you are trying to hide something. Go ahead and plug in an air freshener but be sure to unplug it at least an hour before a showing.