The Psychology of Staging a Home to Sell

Professional home staging experts have tapped into buyers’ human psychology and are leveraging that knowledge in favor of (no big surprise) their clients—Mr. and Mrs. Seller! We all know that expert staging consultants employ some pretty crafty tactics to make a space feel bigger, cozier, or any number of desired outcomes. How do they pull it off? Magic? Not quite, but close! Home staging consultants use optical illusion, as well as quite a few psychological hacks with interestingly conceivable explanations. Read on for several specific ways home staging experts truly do use mind tricks to custom-design the buyer’s experience of being in their clients' listing. 

1.) The Illusion of Space

More than just for their ability to add space to a room, mirrors are used in the psychology of staging to facilitate a moment of personal connection between the buyer and the property when they see their face reflected in a mirror, for example, hung along the wall of a freshly-painted corridor or living area. The proper use of mirrors in a listing simply capitalizes on a buyer's natural mental processes and the tendency to form distinct emotional memories when gazing at one's own reflection. Harnessing the power of optical illusion to make a room appear more spacious and add depth is just an added benefit. 

2.) Lighting Principles

Another optical illusion at play when attempting to add “visual square footage” is ample lighting and the use of light-filtering window treatments, think sheer, simple, yet elegant fabric for drapes or natural woven material for shades. Alternative light sources can be added and adjusted by incorporating sconces, lamps, or task lighting into the design. The goal of lighting in the psychology of staging is to create high-impact vignettes that entertain and distract the eye. 

3.) Focal Focus

Well-designed home staging always features accent pieces and positions them in a way that accentuate the best attributes of the space. For instance, an assortment of poppy red vases might line a room’s gorgeous built-in bookshelves or adorn its fireplace mantel. Exactly, how many focal points does a pro use in staging? Consultants swear by the rule of three, and an odd number of focal points is always preferable to an even one. The variation provides a more natural and compelling overall experience, visually and otherwise. 

4.) Space to Consider

A well-staged home inevitably includes some communal space with chairs and couches practically begging to be sat and conversed upon. If a room is long enough, staging consultants even sometimes create two separate areas in which prospective buyers can chat. Demarcating the dual spaces with area rugs creates the illusion of more space. Plus, the design consultant will have created the optimal conditions in which a buyer might pause to envision their own furniture and family in the listing's attractive dining room or kitchen. Optical illusion, meet mind games. 

Savvy home staging consultants use the above strategies and more to design the experience of a home all the time. So, if you’re a buyer, take note! And, if you’ve been thinking of selling your home, reach out to your local area staging expert just after scheduling listing presentations with a few local REALTORS®. In fact, area REALTORS® often have referral partnerships with staging consultants, so, if you find one, you’ll almost certainly find the other!