Top Hallway Staging Tips When Selling Your House

We've all heard the expression 'First Impressions Count' and when staging your home there is nothing truer and your hallway is what's going to create that first, and very important, impression on anyone looking to buy your property.

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Although most people don't spend a great deal of time relaxing in the hall of their home, and so don't see it as a very important room, when selling your property you need to change your opinion of this really important space.

Halls and entrance areas give any viewer the first real glimpse of the property they have chosen to view.

Here are my top staging tips to get your hall or entrance area ready for those all important viewers.

1. Clear the Clutter - Let the buyers in!

Hallways have a nasty habit of being a dumping ground - Shoes at the door, piles of bags, rucksacks or briefcases, wardrobes of coats, scarves & hats draped over the banisters and chairs, wigwams of umbrellas, toys, bikes, buggies and sports things.

If your hallway feels like an obstacle course to the buyers, you'll start the viewing off on the wrong foot. Physical barriers set up mental barriers to moving into a property.

Clutter creates a barrier to those viewers, literally, especially if the front door wont fully open due to all the stuff stored behind it.

Clutter eats space and in narrow hallways that's the last thing that you want.

Remove all the clutter, excess clothes, shoes bags etc and store them away in a cupboard. Clear the floor of all the toys & sports things. And those things you have been meaning to take to the charity shops ... donate them now or 'dump' them!

Remember that if it's summer you wont need all those gloves, hats, scarves or even coats so put them away and make some space.

2. Lighten the Mood - Choose uplifting colours.

Generally halls are narrow dark spaces that often lack much daylight. Do everything that you can to maximise the feeling of light and space.

Use a light neutral colour on the walls and woodwork to maximise the feeling of space. Welcome with warmth and choose warm creams, beige and stone colours that both feel light and bright but also welcome with a subtle warmth. Create harmony in your colour scheme; carry the colour on through to the other rooms of the property by using slightly darker shades.

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3. Don't be Floored by Your Carpet!

Hallways and entrance areas are high traffic spaces from people coming and going from your home as well as moving about the property. Floors in this area can take quite a pounding over the years and become quite dirty and worn. If your carpet is showing signs of wear and tear and looks tatty then consider steam cleaning it. This will not only rejuvenate the look but will also refresh the space as carpet fibres can hold stale odours from dirt and pets.

If there are marks that you can't shift then perhaps a new runner or rug will smarten up the look.

If the carpet is too far gone or really out of date then consider replacing it. Yes it is an expense but this is the first impression and it's got to be a good one.

4. Create a Focal Point That Welcomes.

Every room should have a focal point to give the viewer an attractive feature to see on entering.

Because space can be limited in hallways think about using the walls to create an attractive focal point. Choose the part of the hall that is directly opposite of the front door, or else just to the right or left as the viewer steps in.

Mirrors always create great focal points as well as helping to widen the feel of the space and through any available light back into the room - see later.

Artwork is another great way of creating a focal point in hallways. Be selective and don't over crowd the walls. Choose something attractive but neutral in theme that adds life and interest to the wall space.

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5. Lighting up the Space

Halls can be gloomy places, even on the brightest of days. Clean all the windows and remove any nets & heavy curtains. If your hall window faces your front garden then cut back any over grown bushes outside that may rob the interior of natural light.

If you have space position a side lamp in the hallway to add a warm glow to the space.

Central lights should be bright enough to illuminate the space, but be careful that they don't dazzle the buyers as they step through the front door.

Spots on tracks are great in narrow long hallways because you can play the light along the full length of the space.

6. Show Buyers Where Keys, Mail & Coins Can Go

Hallways need some practical ledges, somewhere to neatly store keys, coins, post etc If you have a radiator then consider using an attractive radiator cover that will both cover an ugly feature and create an attractive shelf for you to place some accessories and those practical items.

7. Leading You Along

Hallways with stairs should be well lit and encourage the buyer to want to go upstairs. Make sure that all light fittings are clean and fully functioning to maximise the light they can give out. Light up the landing so that buyers are beckoned upstairs.

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8. Do The DIY

Often hallways are the one space in the house that look more shabby than all the others. Partly because we spend so little time in them and partly due to familiarity, we become blind to the issues that are there, flaky paint, worn patches of wallpaper, broken light switches, door bells and letterboxes, ugly gas or electricity meters, security alarms, wobbly or missing banisters and loose, squeaky or broken handles and hinges.

Do those DIY jobs before the viewers start adding up the cost of putting things right.

9. Plants Add Life, Freshness and Softness

Even in the smallest or narrowest of spaces try and include something living to the space. Plants have an amazing effect on humans by giving any space that they inhabit a freshness and softness that helps to give soul to a property. Hallways are often spaces with very few soft furnishings that can help to soften the hard edges, plants help to do this without reducing the feeling of space and light.

In tight spaces with perhaps just a small shelf how about a trailing ivy that will cascade down. In hallways with a bit more space a floor standing plant like a palm can rally bring the room to life.

If the property is unoccupied, then consider using a good quality fake plant instead.

If there really is no space then consider using an attractive print of a plant on the walls.
Don't forget you can position an attractive potted plant just outside your front door or how about a colourful hanging basket?

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10. Keep It Clean

While it is for sale, hallways can be one of the hardest of rooms to keep presented in top condition. Be firm with all the occupants of the house and ensure that every one does their bit to keep the hallway tidy at all times. Kids can take their toys up to their rooms when they come home from school or before they go to bed, everyone can keep just one pair of shoes at the door and always put away any items that they have bought home, rather than just leave them at the door for another time.

Recycling is all very well, but when selling your home you need to clear the various boxes that you keep at the door for paper, bottles and other items. You really don't want to greet your viewers with your rubbish, do you?

Final Thoughts

Ok so hallways are the first impression that those buyers will get of your home, but remember that it will also be their last one too!

For this reason, unlike many other rooms, you need to ensure that on both viewings, on arrival and departure, the hallway looks great.

Remember - You never get a second chance to make a great first impression, so follow these ten hallway staging tips and prepare your home to sell faster, for more!

For more advice on how to tackle and stage every room in your home take a look at The Property Coach™ Home Staging Handbook