Staging Your Home for a Thanksgiving Sale
By Chris Petry
It’s that time of year again! A time for giving. A time for thanks. For giving thanks. Thanksgiving is, without doubt, the most overlooked holiday of the year. Being sandwiched in-between Goth Christmas (Halloween) and regular Christmas means its time to shine is rather limited but that doesn’t mean its impact isn’t profound. What it lacks in commercial appeal, it makes up for in messaging. Reduced to its most basic understanding, it’s a moment where we can all reflect on everything we’re truly thankful for in our lives. Family, friends, pets, careers, health and home.
About that last part… home. We all know life doesn’t stop for the holidays and that means there will be people in need of new homes. If you’re planning on selling, you have a prime opportunity to increase the aesthetic appeal of your property by capitalizing on the scenes and moods of the season. Read on below to see what you can do increase your home’s appeal in the lead up to Thanksgiving and the end of Fall.
Bring in buyers by reminding them of the warm and cozy feelings of late fall. If you have a fireplace, light it for showings. Add seasonal throw pills and blankets to lounging areas. Feel free to decorate with tasteful holiday-themed decorations; autumnal flowers, leaves, or perhaps a cornucopia can invoke the comfort of the Thanksgiving holiday season, increasing the appeal of the space.
Spring Clean early. Why wait until Spring for a deep clean? Start your cleaning and organizing now. Homes that are tidy and organized make the space appear larger, more open and ultimately more inviting.
Keep permanent colors neutral. While it may be tempting to paint everything dark brown and orange to set the mood, one must remember that doing so would immediately date the home to the late autumn season. If you’re adding a fresh coat of paint, opt for the same grays, whites, light browns and creams you’d expect at other times of year and accentuate them with more seasonally specific curtains, rugs, throws and décor.
Focus décor around centerpieces. Pay extra attention to dining room tables, kitchen countertops and fireplaces. These features already command a lot of attention from those viewing your home. So, if you plan to decorate for the holiday, focus on those areas. The tasteful addition of warm and fuzzy décor in those areas only calls more attention to them.
Keep outdoor decorating minimal and tasteful. A pumpkin or two? Great. You don’t need a pumpkin patch. You probably don’t want a six-foot inflatable turkey with a pilgrim hat. Unless it’s your forever home, then go ahead and blow up that turkey! Simply put, there are different rules for decorating if you plan to sell your home. The goal is to maximize curb appeal and cast the widest net for snaring potential buyers.
