Ho-Ho-Home Staging Tips for the Holidays

November 19, 2022 by

Holiday Staging Ideas to Get it Noticed and SOLD!

Holiday home staging is certainly an art, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to transform a listing into a festive showroom, tugging at prospective buyers’ heartstrings.

Normally, overt yuletide enthusiasm is commendable, but not when the home is on the market. Decorations should be an extra layer after the home is prepared for buyers, not a part of the core staging strategy.

Over-the-top decorations is like wrapping a house in an “ugly holiday sweater”, because when a listing looks like a holiday hoarder’s idea of paradise, it could send prospective buyers mumbling “bah humbug”, as they quickly drive away.

Now isn’t the time for embracing an inner Clark Griswold by inflating a 10-foot tall dancing snowman, dragging Santa and all his reindeer up to the roof, displaying little Jerry’s paper mache manger scene from the second grade, or setting out cousin Annie’s army of cotton ball snowmen.

But you also don’t want to be a scrooge with no seasonal decorations.

The key is to maintain a subtle, neutral environment that accentuates the homes features, not one mired with a gazillion singing angels. 

What starts out as a small piece of seasonal decor here and there, can easily escalate and feel like clutter.

Neutral doesn’t mean boring, but generic helps prospective buyers envision themselves in the home, while appealing to the broadest market segment possible. 

The ultimate goal is to romance the buyer, not invite them to a Christmas party.

It is advisable to avoid displaying overtly religious decor, as that can reveal cultural information that may be off-putting to some buyers.

Deck the halls and exterior

Filling containers with evergreen boughs and branches is a classic look that has the advantage of remaining through the winter listing time.

Blame it on the mistletoe

Fresh or faux garland draped across the fireplace mantle with pine cones, battery-operated candles or Christmas balls will give instant ambiance while accenting this not naughty but nice, selling feature.

No stockings hung with care

Avoid hanging personalized stockings from the mantle or displaying Christmas cards–it just makes it harder for buyers to see themselves in the home. 

It’s very easy to go from just right to distracting, with prospective buyers lamenting, “Was there a fireplace in the living room? I was so busy looking at all the stuff, I can’t remember.”

Cuddle up, cozy down

Pass on the holiday-themed towels in the bathrooms and candy cane shaped pillows in the bedroom.

Buyers want to fall in love with a space they can see themselves in, and what better way than providing various vignettes of coziness to make buyers want to curl up and stay for a while. 

Adding deep, rich tones of wintery accessories creates a sophisticated, cozy ambiance. This means chunky, textured wool throws, fluffy pillows, and touches of fur layered and strategically placed in the living room and bedrooms. 

This also keeps listing photos relevant after the Christmas season.

Blinded by the lights

Use warm white fairy lights, instead of a frenzy of flashing or multi-coloured lights so it doesn’t look like Christmas exploded. If they compete with their neighbours every year over who has the most outdoors lights, this year they should definitely cede the award.

Hang an elegant wreath on the front door, rather than a “Santa stops here!” sign.

Rockin’ around the Christmas tree

The tree will be the focal point in the room, but it shouldn’t be in a place where it is eating up precious floor space, impeding a traffic path, or concealing pertinent selling features. A piece of furniture may have to be removed to make adequate space. 

But a tall tree could be just the thing to draw attention to a two-storey living area. Keeping the tree simple with a neutral colour palette, eliminates it overpowering the room.

Santa tell me

Accessorizing the kitchen countertop with a bowl of pomegranates or mandarin oranges, oversized hurricane vases with votives, or large festive hot chocolate mugs, sets the stage for an ambient experience. 

Pretty Paper

Don’t leave out gifts, as this can make the home feel too personal and difficult for buyers to imagine their own family in the home.

Do you hear what I hear?

Spinning instrumental Christmas music on shuffle (or the dulcet tones of Mariah Carey) at a low but audible volume makes the home feel peaceful and remarkable.

Baby, it’s cold outside

Turn the heat up a few degrees and make the home so inviting your buyers will never want to leave.

Soon, the only decoration added will be a “SOLD” sign.
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