When prepping to sell your home, the bathroom can be tricky. It is important to keep each restroom ready for showings. You don't want buyers feeling like they're violating your privacy by looking at your bathroom. You also don't want them leaving the room quickly because it's musty and humid. Rather, you want buyers walking into the bathroom blown away by it's cleanliness and spa-like atmosphere. Whether or not you're living in the home you're selling, you can stage the bathroom to make it more attractive to buyers. This room is a bit easier to stage than some of the other areas we've focused on in previous blogs. Read below to find out what it takes to successfully stage a bathroom!
1. Clean-up
As always, the first step to staging is cleaning up. The bathroom, much like the kitchen, may take some extra time and elbow grease. You will want to eliminate any sign of mildew and make it sparkle for buyers. Scrub the sink, shower, and floors. Clear off the vanity and counters. Remove the trash, rugs, and shower products. Dust light fixtures and deep clean the toilet. Getting a new shower curtain can really help here. We recommend a soft or neutral color. If you're living in your home while it's on the market, keep frequently used bathroom items in baskets that can easily be stowed away for showings. Run fans or open the window while showering. Keep it as dry and clean as possible. Make sure it is smelling great and looking stylish!
2. Towels
Towels are quite possibly your greatest tool when staging your bathroom. Use clean, attractive towels. If possible, purchase new ones solely for staging. Again, neutral colors will serve you best. You cannot go wrong with fresh, white towels. Fold a larger towel and hang it on the bar or hook. Fold a smaller sized towel -- choose the same color or an accent color that will complement the look -- and hang it on top of the larger one. If you have extra counter space, roll a few hand towels to stack or place them in a wicker basket. Too add some flair, tie towels with ribbons or decorative twine. Another way to use towels is on the edge of the tub. If space allows, fold a couple of small towels and place them on the edge of the bathtub. Stick a new bar of soap on top to add a sense of luxury.
3. Accessories
Show buyers aesthetically pleasing accessories rather than toothpaste and shampoo. You will want to keep the accessories simple. Don't over do it and create a cluttered look. What you use will depend on the amount of space you have. Accessories common to bathroom staging are candles, sea sponges, bath salts, and small plants*. Glass jars filled with bathroom-related items are also common. Fill a jar with cotton balls, q-tips, or simply toss in a few sea shells. The easiest way to display your accessories is to put them in a wicker basket or a tray. The key is to keep it simple and subtle.
*Note: When choosing plants for the bathroom, go for smaller rather than bulky. Your goal with plants and flowers should be to add a splash of contrasting color that will attract the eye to an area of interest. Orchids and succulents are awesome for this!
4. Art
When picking art for the bathroom, look for pieces that will enhance the look of the entire room. Avoid wild or chaotic colors. This is another area in which you will want to keep things simple. Choose to display either one large piece of art or a few smaller ones. If choosing more than one, stick to designs or frames that match one another. This will help tie the whole room together.
Statistics show that staged homes are more appealing to buyers and typically spend less time on the market. If you have questions about the market or what it takes to sell, contact a local expert for advice. Our team is always happy to hear from you! Whether you want to share an experience, ask questions, or find a contractor, we want to help. It is important to us that you understand the selling process and find confidence when hitting the market!