TIP #1 – GO NEUTRAL
It is important the decor appeals to as many different home buyers and tastes as possible. If you're trying to sell your home, buyers need to have an easy time imaging themselves, and their own holiday traditions, in your home. Therefore, you want to make sure your decor is neutral. Choose one or two main colors and one accent color, then run every decorating decision through that filter. Shades of cocoa, caramel, and cream complement light wood furniture in a home. Other options would be navy and grey with persimmon, or black and white with pistachio.
TIP #2 – LESS IS BETTER
You don't have to ditch the holiday decorations altogether. However, less is better. You don’t want to fill every crevice of your home by hanging all the boughs of holly, Christmas lights, your Nutcracker collection, and every holiday card you receive, either.
Using some well-placed and minimal decorations can be a great way to warm up your home for the holidays. Too many decorations can be overwhelming and distracting. Don't make the mistake of thinking buyers will "see past it" because they can't, "the eye buys."
TIP #3 – USE DECORATIONS TO ACCENTUATE THE FEATURES OF YOUR HOME
Accentuate the features of your home that are selling points. If you have a big backyard and a nice deck, hang lights and garland around your deck railing to outline the perimeter and light up the deck. Don't block or cover up important selling features such as fireplace mantels, stairs, and windows.
TIP #4 – MAKE IT COZY AND INVITING
During showings turn up the heat, use flame-less candles, play soft classical music and offer homemade holiday treats to make your home cozy and inviting. When you encourage buyers to spend more time in your home, you also give them more time to admire its best features.
TIP #5 – COMPLEMENT YOUR PALETTE
Ensure your holiday collection compliments your current decor. If your living room is painted a blue hue, skip the clashing red garland and opt for white or cream decorations with metallics like silver. If you’ve got an earthy color scheme, accent with rich tones like cranberry, forest greens and gold.
TIP #6 - CLEAR THE CLUTTER
Before you decorate, your house needs to be de-cluttered and staged. If your living room is already piled high with clutter and tchotchkes, your Nativity scene is only going to add to the sense of overcrowding.
TIP #7 – CONSIDER SKIPPING THE TREE??
If your tree is too big, it distracts potential buyers and can make the room seem smaller. It can also block traffic flow and make the space appear crowded. And if it's tiny, it can be depressing and sad. Decorate a tree only if you have a great room and you want to show off a high ceiling, but make sure the wide base won’t overwhelm the floor space. Floor space helps to sell your home. Don’t stack gifts under a tree or put them on display. If you must put up a tree, it should not take up too much space. Place it in a corner that is out of the way and remove furniture if required to accommodate the tree.
TIPS #8 – KEEP OUTSIDE LIGHTING AND DECORATIONS TO A MINIMUM
The exterior of a home can appear cluttered and unappealing if it is covered in seasonal wreaths, bows, over the top light displays and inflatable snowmen. You want your home to be understated and inviting. Instead, use simple string lighting to accentuate your home’s architecture or draw attention to the gorgeous tree in your yard.
TIP#9 – AVOID OFFENDING
Keep the Nativity scene in storage this year, because overtly religious decorations may be off-putting to some buyers. You want to attract any type of buyer, so opt for general winter decorations, such as pine boughs, pine cones, faux fur throws etc., rather than items with religious themes.
TIP #10 – BE MINDFUL OF USING SCENTS
Holiday scents can oftentimes be overwhelming and very strong. Try to avoid using the
strong pumpkin spice candles and pine potpourri. Instead, consider baking cookies.
