Staging the Exterior of a Home

February 1, 2024

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Staging a home is not limited to interior spaces; you also want to make a good first impression when potential buyers see the outside of the home. Can they imagine living there when they pull up and see the house from the street? Staging the house’s exterior helps build curb appeal, which can draw additional interest in the home.

Many people gained a new appreciation for outdoor spaces at home during the pandemic, making it increasingly valuable to stage your home’s exterior. If you still do not know where to start after reading the recommendations outlined below, then a professional home stager may be just the person you need to set your home apart from the others.

Exterior Staging Best Practices

When staging the exterior of a home, start with some general best practices and apply them to each area you want to focus on.

• Declutter: Make sure everything is neatly organized or put away in storage.
• Remove personal items: Most homeowners do not keep as many personal items outside as they do inside but try to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible with decorations. For example, if you have a garden full of gnomes, it may be best to store them elsewhere.
• Stay on top of landscaping: Remove weeds and trim bushes.
• Clean surfaces: Pressure wash all the surfaces that could use a good cleaning.
• Add exterior lighting: A well-lit exterior can help make a house feel safe and highlight its features when it is dark outside.
• Make repairs: Fix any structure that could negatively impact the home’s curb appeal, such as a damaged fence or deck.
• Add seating: Even if you do not have a deck or patio, adding seating in conversational groups can help potential buyers better imagine themselves in the space.
• Create pops of color: Planting annuals is an inexpensive way to add color to your home’s exterior.

Staging a Front Porch

A home’s front porch should feel welcoming, as it is often one of the first things people see when they visit. Front porches come in several different shapes and sizes, but there are a few key guidelines to follow when staging the space.

• Add seating: If you have the space, adding chairs, an outdoor couch, a porch swing, or even a stump can help make your porch feel inviting to guests.
• Accessorize: A wreath, vertical sign, and clean door mat are easy and affordable options for sprucing things up.
• Display potted plants: Plants are great for adding a pop of color and making a space feel more like home.
• Upgrade the front door: Consider replacing the front door if a good wash or new paint job do not give the porch the updated look it needs.

Staging a Front Yard and Back Yard

The land a property sits on can often be one of the deciding factors when a potential homebuyer is considering putting an offer on a home. Staging the front yard and back yard can help individuals envision how they would use those spaces if they purchased the property.

• Make a defined seating area: Create designated seating areas, even if you do not have a deck or patio. Adirondack chairs are always a good option. If you are looking for something more unique, try a standing hammock.
• Add color with annuals: Flower beds bring added beauty to the yard.
• Create storage space: If you do not have a shed in the yard, consider adding a storage bench or outdoor cabinet to store the items you frequently use outside.

Staging a Patio or Deck

Decks and patios are areas that truly have the power to make potential buyers fall in love with a home, especially since the pandemic. For many, they serve as a retreat from the stresses of the world, where people can unwind, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the outdoors.

Patio Staging

• Make it a dining area: Set up a table and chairs so potential buyers can envision eating a meal with others. Add a coffee table to show the patio can be used for more than just dinner.
• Accessorize with color: Add an outdoor rug, a few colorful pillows, and some blankets to bring some life to the space.
• Plant shrubs: Shrubs or trees in planter boxes are great for providing privacy and defined edges.

Deck Staging

• Add railing accessories: Maximize the functionality of the deck by adding a deck rail table, cupholders, an umbrella mount, or a flower box holder.
• Make the space fun and practical: A hammock and fire pit table help provide a fun and relaxing environment, and a storage bench will save you countless trips inside for items you consistently use on the deck.
• Use the space under the deck: if the deck is tall enough to walk under, you can add additional seating and other amenities below the deck.

Outdoor Lighting

Is the exterior of your house clearly visible at night? If it is not, adding additional lighting or updating light fixtures are relatively simple and affordable ways to catch the attention of potential buyers. Not sure where to add lighting? A good place to start is to create an outline along your landscaping. To ensure the job is done safely and correctly, this will likely require the help of an electrician and/or landscaper.