Kitchens are one of the most important rooms in a home that buyers examine carefully when viewing a home.  Staging a kitchen helps buyers to focus on the positive of the space and allows them be able to imagine themselves living in the home.  Many sellers opt to stage their homes themselves with some guidance from their agents.  Here are some common mistakes sellers make when staging a kitchen that you want to avoid.

Leaving Too Much on the Countertops

It’s okay to have a few key items out on your countertops like a coffee machine or KitchenAid mixer.  However, less is always more so when staging a kitchen it is time to tuck away small appliances, papers, dishes, or a bunch of decorative items that span the countertop.  Having too many items on the countertop leads buyers to believe that the things are on the counters because the kitchen lacks storage space.

Shoving Everything in Cabinets or the Pantry

Buyers will open up cabinets and the pantry to get an idea of the storage space in a kitchen.  If you’ve been using the cabinets as a place to hide things removed while staging it will make your kitchen appear to lack storage.  Now is the time to go through all the cabinets and decide what you want to move to your new home and what can be donated or trashed. You can even consider packing up items that won’t be used for a while like seasonal dishes or appliances.

Refrigerator Magnets and Other Personalized Items

When staging a kitchen in a home for sale, it is time to take down the refrigerator magnets and other personal items.  In photographs, a clean refrigerator door looks more appealing than one with magnets and papers.  Also, since these photos are going online, it is always wise to protect the personal identities of yourself and family members. 

Neglecting to Clean Routinely Around the Stovetop and Trash Can

A deep clean is always necessary when preparing to sell your home, but even when it is done dirt will always reappear.  It’s important to pay particular attention around the stovetop and near the trash can as these areas can quickly become dirty.  Wiping down these spots every few days can help control the mess and keep it from accumulating.

Using a Table that is Too Big for the Space

In a lot of modern kitchens there is a designated eat in area.  Sometimes this space is even designated by hanging pendant lighting.  It is important to make sure that whatever table is in the space fits the space.  A table that buyers can easily walk around is best.  Having a table that is too large can make the kitchen feel smaller than it really is.