Stage Your Kitchen Like a Pro

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. The kitchen is where meals are shared and memories are made. This also happens to be the place where drinks are spilled, sauces are splattered, plates are dropped, and fingers are sticky. Kitchens get messy. That’s part of life, but also part of why kitchen staging can be such a challenge! 

The kitchen can be one of the hardest rooms to stage because it gets messy in a heartbeat and you need to use it to survive! If you are ready to sell your home, go all in and stage your kitchen the right way. Although it might be a temporary inconvenience, there will be a long-term reward!

Kitchen Staging Goals

A staged kitchen should:

• Look, feel, and smell clean
• Look and feel spacious and roomy
• Appear cared for and updated
• Feel welcoming and homey

Here are a few kitchen staging ideas that will help you achieve your staging goals and sell your home.

Deep Clean

The first step to a well-staged kitchen is a no brainer: get it CLEAN! Wipe down every surface. Remove smudges from glass and stainless steel surfaces. The oven, microwave, and fridge are often overlooked. Scrub and brighten grout lines in your backsplash or any tile surfaces you might have. Make sure windows are free of streaks and remove any bulky window coverings. Last but not least, wipe down your faucet and remove any hard water residue.

Next, take care of any sources of unwelcome odors. Take out the trash and recycling, and remove all pet-related items from the house. Run a lemon or cleaner down the disposal to keep your kitchen smelling fresh. 

Declutter

If you’re staging your kitchen, that probably means a move is in the near future. Why not get ahead on your packing? Put away almost everything on your counters. The coffee pot can stay, if it’s in good shape, but that’s about it. Cluttered counters send the message that there is not enough storage space in the kitchen. Also, remove all magnets from the refrigerator. This will make your kitchen feel more open and less personalized. You want to give buyers an opportunity to visualize what their life could look like in the space.

After that, organize the inside of your cabinets. That’s right! Even though the inside of your cabinets won’t be photographed for your online listing, buyers will most likely peek inside as they tour your home. Pack some of your cups, dishes, etc. so you can leave some open shelf space.

*Friendly reminder: A staged kitchen is not a practical kitchen.

Organize Pantry

Let me introduce you to Marie Kondo, organizing expert and author of the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and star of Netflix series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.”

When it comes to pantry organization, Marie says:

• Organize by category rather than location.
• Take everything out before you start putting it back in.
• Only keep things that spark joy.

Organize your pantry in such a way that it looks orderly and spacious. Leave extra space on the shelves as much as possible. 

Refresh Fixtures and Hardware

A statement light fixture goes a long way and doesn’t break the bank! Find something that brightens up the room and compliments your kitchen design. A bright kitchen is both necessary for function and appealing to the eye. Another idea: Install affordable, DIY under-cabinet lighting for even greater appeal!

Replacing your hardware gives your cabinets a fresh, new look. You can purchase cabinet pulls, knobs and hinges for cheap, and replacing them is very simple. All you’ll need is a screwdriver! 

Fresh Paint 

If your kitchen paint has a few years under its belt, consider giving your walls a fresh coat and a new color. Bright white walls are in right now! Find a color that compliments your cabinets and overall color scheme. Also check your ceiling, cabinets, and trim for any spots or stains that might need touched up.

Remove Chairs

Even if your table can seat eight, remove a few chairs. You’ll be amazed at how much more spacious your eating area will appear. The same goes for any stools or kitchen island seating.

Simple Décor and Finishing Touches

I know we said remove EVERYTHING from the counters, but there are a few exceptions. First, you can display fresh fruit. Find a beautiful bowl, cake plate, or tray and make sure your fruit is RIPE! You want to show some signs of life in your kitchen. Fruit brings beauty and color! 

Fresh flowers and herbs are another wonderful option. You don’t have to go overboard! A simple arrangement of daisies or a couple of peonies from the yard will be perfect! Place them in a simple vase on the counter or island. If you have a window sill in your kitchen, this would be a great spot to display a couple of small, potted herbs.

Hang a new, stylish tea towel from the towel bar! Find a nice, seasonal print or a colorful pattern that goes with your overall design. You might also find an inexpensive rug to match!

Find a way to freshen up the look of your dish and hand soap with a pretty soap dispenser or neat, little tray. Throw out those grungy sponges or dish rags. The cheapest option? Stick those kinds of items neatly under the sink.