Staging? Don't Forget The Basement

If you're planning to sell your house, home staging techniques can help to move your home to the front of the line for interested buyers. With a few staging ideas from the pros, buyers will notice your home's potential, even in overlooked spaces like the basement that often gets overlooked.

Although your basement may seem like an unimportant space, buyers will definitely check it out when viewing your home. Even if it appears to be a cold, dark space, buyers will investigate it for structural problems, mold and mildew, and potential uses for extra space. Why not give them a pleasant surprise with home staging ideas that can create a functional, inviting basement and enhance your home's potential.

Get Rid of Trash and Clutter
Basements are often unused spaces that collect unwanted household items, old books and magazines, outdated clothes, children's toys, and various yard tools. To potential buyers, these items will likely look like clutter that should be thrown out with the trash. By getting rid of trash and clutter in your basement, buyers can focus on a clean open space that has many potential uses for family needs.

Eliminate Musty Smells and Bad Odors
If your basement has musty smells and bad odors, you can count on scaring buyers away. Since basements are often below ground level, they can easily develop lingering, unpleasant smells from water leaks, excessive moisture, and mold and mildew, especially if they have no windows for airflow. Before showing your home to buyers, take time to freshen up your basement with pleasant, welcoming smells.

Create a Neat Storage Area
Basements with concrete floors and high ceilings can be excellent storage areas. If you have a finished basement, consider adding some free-standing shelving units or bookcases for storage. You can purchase a variety of storage bins, decorative boxes, or colorful containers for an organized, neat appearance. Buyers will be impressed with the organization and extra storage space in the basement.

Make Cosmetic Improvements
Making a few cosmetic improvements in your basement will go a long way towards attracting buyers. For minimal costs, you can patch wall cracks; repair loose stair railings; give walls a fresh coat of paint; install updated lighting fixtures, and throw down a colorful area rug. These simple cosmetic improvements will quickly take your basement from dark and gloomy to cozy and comfortable.

Build a Home Gym or Fitness Center
A basement can be a great space for a home gym or family physical fitness area. It's a space that provides quiet privacy away from busy areas in the house like the kitchen and family room where everyone tends to gather. Consider a basement fitness center that's equipped with a flat-screen TV, surround sound speakers, a small refrigerator or juice bar, and a comfortable recliner or two for relaxing after a workout.

Design a Multipurpose Family Room
If you have a finished basement, you have a variety of possibilities for a multipurpose room. You can turn your basement into a family room, a children's playroom, a home office, a library, or a music room. With a large basement, it's easy to incorporate several functional areas into one space, so the entire family can enjoy various activities while spending time together.

When creating a usable basement space, focus on function, style, and storage. Your basement should not be a catch-all space for all kinds of unused items. If you're planning to sell your home, consider some home staging ideas that will turn your basement into a comfortable space with functional, show-stopping appeal that buyers will love.

• Spring Décor Updates to Brighten Your Home
• Simple Daily Habits to Maintain a Cleaner Home
• Don't Let Winter Win: How to Freeze-Proof Your Garage
• How to Extend the Life of Your Water Heater
• Winterproofing Windows and Doors: A Guide to Keeping the Cold Out
• How to Future-Proof Your Home for Changing Needs
• Home Happiness 101: Small Upgrades That Can Make Every Day Feel Better
• Fall Cleaning Tips For Decluttering Before the Holidays
• How to Create a Cozy Fall Retreat in Your Backyard
• Why Fall is Prime Time for Window Replacement

• Tips for Transitioning Your Closet From Summer to Fall
• Why September Is the Best Month to Paint Your Home's Exterior

• The Best Home Styles for Enjoying Spring Weather
• What to Do the First Week in Your New Home
• What to Know About Using Gifted Funds for a Down Payment
• What to Know About Using Gifted Funds for a Down Payment
• How to Research Crime and Safety
• What Buyers Need to Know About Home Warranties
• Browsing for Homes Online? Follow These Shopping Tips
• How to Look Past Bad Staging
• What Happens If Interest Rates Change After You Buy?
• How to Compare Two Homes You Love

• Post-Holiday Finances: How to Reset Your Budget for Home Buying
• New Year, New Home: How to Set Smart Home-Buying Goals for the Year Ahead

• Packing Tips for Sellers: Preparing for a Spring Move
• What to Store, Donate, or Toss Before Listing
• What Buyers Notice First in Listing Photos
• How Spring Sellers Can Enter The Market With Confidence
• Tax Considerations Home Sellers Should Know About
• The One-Room-at-a-Time Spring Prep Strategy
• What's the Difference Between Listing a Home and Marketing It?
• How to Respond to Buyer Feedback Without Panicking
• Transparency Builds Trust: Why Honesty Sells Homes Faster
• Winter Selling Myths That Shouldn't Keep You From Listing

• The Value of Local Market Knowledge When Selling Your Home
• Selling in Snowy Conditions: Safety, Access, and Presentation Tips