Kitchen Staging Recipe: Four Steps to Stage Your Kitchen and Cook up a Sale

Just follow these four simple steps and your kitchen will win the heart of your buyer in no time.

Step # 1:  Straighten It Up

Step # 2:  Clean It Up

Step # 3:  Freshen It Up

Step # 4:  Warm It Up

Step # 1:  Straighten It Up

The very first step you need to take when staging your kitchen is to declutter and get organized.  Go through your entire kitchen and get rid of anything you no longer use—the old toaster oven, mismatched storage containers, outdated spices, etc.  Organize and file or throw away all the papers and other items that have accumulated over the years.  Look through your pantry and donate or throw away the food items you are never going to use and organize what is left.  Take all the magnets and papers off of your fridge.  At this point, every area of your kitchen should be neatly organized and your countertops should be completely cleared.  (Ok, you can keep out the coffee pot, but have a spot ready under the counter to put it away for photos and showings.)

Step # 2:  Clean It Up

Kitchens do sell houses—but only if they are spotlessly clean!  Start at the ceiling and work your way down, cleaning every surface in your kitchen.  Ceiling, light fixtures, walls, blinds and window treatments, windows and window sills, cabinets and drawers (inside and out), pantry, countertops, sink, faucet, appliances (inside and out), floor boards, floors.  A soft electric toothbrush,lots of microfiber towels, and a bit of elbow grease will be your best tools for getting this job done right.  Pour some baking soda down the drain and run the garbage disposal to get rid of any odors.  Once your house is on the market, avoid cooking foods with strong, lingering odors.  After you’ve completed this deep cleaning, quick daily touch ups will keep your kitchen white glove clean and ready to impress your buyers at a moment’s notice.

Step # 3:  Freshen It Up

Would your kitchen benefit from a mini-makeover?  If it is more than just a few years old, some easy updates will make a big difference.

First look at your walls.  Do you have wallpaper or borders?  These are just too taste specific.  Many buyers have walked away from a house because they did not want to have to remove the wallpaper.   Take the wallpaper down and put a fresh coat of neutral paint on the walls.

Next, look at your cabinets.  Is the finish looking worn or outdated?  Consider painting them.  Cream, black, and espresso brown are popular colors that can significantly improve the look of your kitchen.  If you plan to do this job yourself,  do some research on how to properly prepare and paint the cabinets so you get the best results.  And don’t forget the jewelry for your cabinets; updated knobs in silver, bronze, or black can quickly and inexpensively transform the look of your kitchen.

How’s the lighting in your kitchen?  Those builder-grade or outdated fixtures need to go.  Updating your lighting is a quick and inexpensive way to make your kitchen look more current.  Wish you had under cabinet lighting for your counters?  Try these easy fixes.  Use a small decorative lamp on the counter (be sure to conceal the cord) or add an up-light in the back corner with a decorative plate on a plate stand sitting in front of it.

Step # 4:  Warm It Up

At this point you may be noticing that even though your kitchen is spotless and updated, it is looking a little barren and cold.  Now it is time to add the finishing touches that will really help your buyers emotionally connect with your kitchen.  A vase of fresh flowers on the table, a pretty bowl with green apples or lemons on the island, a couple decorative vinegar or oil bottles, and perhaps a nice plant on the counter are all perfect touches that warm up the space.  Pull out your prettiest cookbook and have it open on a stand sitting on the counter near the stove.  A few simple touches will help your kitchen communicate to your buyer that this will be the perfect spot for their family to build memories together.

Stage Your Kitchen—Sell Your House

A well-staged kitchen will lead to happy buyers bringing good offers.  So get cooking on these simple and affordable steps to staging your kitchen.  Straighten It Up, Clean It Up, Freshen It Up, and Warm It Up—and your kitchen will win the hearts of your buyers like a plate of fresh baked