“Photographers typically look to a window or fireplace as a focal point, so stage furniture around that,” suggests Fernanda Bertrand, co-owner and founder of Upstaging Seattle, which has staged more than 700 homes. “If you block the view of a window, for example, potential buyers can’t get the right idea of scale from the listing photos.” RELATED: 5 Interior Design Mistakes That Are Ruining the Flow of Your Space—and How to Fix Them Whether your house is for sale or not, consider adding area rugs if you don’t have them, or swapping out your current rugs if you’ve lived with them for a while. Area rugs—particularly those in high-traffic locations—take a lot of abuse, especially if kids and pets are part of your household. Bertrand’s advice: “Don’t invest a lot in area rugs. Choose rugs that are super affordable—I use ones from Rugs USA a lot—and replace them every couple of years for an easy way to get a major update.” “A huge wall with art that’s not large enough makes the wall look smaller,” notes Bertrand. Aim for artwork—either a single piece or a grouping—that takes up two-thirds to three-quarters of the wall space. In a living room, a 50-by-40-inch rectangular canvas is a great way to ground a sofa, says Bertrand. Hang it four to six inches from the top of the couch. Maximize a room’s natural light with window treatments that let in plenty of it. A simple way to boost brightness is to pay attention to curtain placement. “People typically hang their curtains just above the window trim,” says Bertrand, “but you should hang them two inches from the ceiling instead.” This makes the windows seem bigger and the room taller—both big positives when selling a home. Try her no-fail pillow formula for a stylish sofa: On one side, layer a 24-by-24-inch pillow, a 20-by-20-inch pillow and a lumbar; on the other do just a 24-by-24-inch and a 20-by-20-inch pillow. Invest in quality pillow inserts and switch the covers seasonally or whenever your space needs a boost. Knit and faux fur options create a cozy winter vibe and crisp, light materials are perfect for spring and summer.
