When potential home buyers first take a look inside your house, your living room needs to present itself well and attract their full attention. This is one of the first rooms they will see when entering your property. You must take full advantage of this space and update its look to resemble a modern and warm environment. If a potential home buyer sees an outdated and dingy living room, it will have a negative emotional impact on them. On average, if this happens they are not excited and will try to leave the property as soon as possible. Don't let that happen and consider the home staging ideas below to better your chances at selling your house.



Step 1

Paint the living room. Paint can add a dramatic difference to any room. Bright white or neutral color walls are the way to go. Painting is also the easiest and least expensive way to update any space. When painting, make sure not to overlook the trim work. You want to brighten it with high-gloss white paint and caulk any open seams between the molding, ceiling, baseboard and wall.

Step 2

Add some flowers. The scent and look of a vase full of beautiful colorful flowers will definitely add a hit of zest to any room. Research shows that yellow floral arrangements envoke buyer' emotions. The Home Staging Channel does not recommend using fake flowers either. Fresh live flowers are what excite buyers.

Step 3

Replace your flooring. Most flooring projects can indeed be a costly investment. On average, quality hardwood flooring ranges from $2-$9 per square foot. For a 220 square foot area, expect to spend about $1,250 if you do-it-yourself. If you prefer to hire a professional, calculate this into your budget. Next comes sanding hardwoods which can be physically tough. If you make a mistake, you can permanently damage the floor. If you're concerned, you may want to hire a pro. You can then do your own staining and sealing to save some money. If you have carpet in the living room, you can either have it professionally cleaned, which can range anywhere from $75-$200 or you can replace it if it's torn, stained or has a bad odor. Pricing for new rugs and carpet also vary. Do your homework and find out the best ways to update this part of the living room.

Step 4

Hang some art. Adding wall art also adds zing to a living room. When you see pictures of the wonderful outdoors it brings a feeling of energy and joy. DO NOT display photos of beloved friends and family while your home is on the market. This is mistake that many homeowners make while there home is on the market.

Step 5

Fire Place Mantel. Replace your old mantel with a new wood or stone mantel for as cheap as $100. The fireplace will be the main focal point of the living room! Make sure it presents well. TIP: do not put too many knick-knacks on the new mantel. You want the potential homebuyer to focus on the new mantel and not your decor.

Step 6

A ceiling change. If you have popcorn ceilings in the living room, or any other room of the house, get rid of them! Popcorn ceilings will be a tough sale. Instead, paint the ceiling with a high-gloss white color.

Step 7

Fabrics and pillows. Another way to increase the energy in your living room or any other room in your house is to add pillows and fabric accents. Add curtains in neutral colors or deep jewel tones. Silk pillows with ornate beading and sequins are very beautiful too.

When your house is on the market for sale, it's up to you and your creativity to sell it quick. You don't want your house to be on the market for more than a few weeks. It should ideally sell within the first week it's on the market. Consider the home staging tips above and you may make a sale within the first few days of your house being on the market!