A Bathroom is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

The bathroom is one of the most overlooked rooms in the home. Really. And as a home stager, I see a lot of wasted bathrooms in homes on the market.

First things first: bathrooms have to be clean. Sparkling, dirt-free and stain-free clean. Strangers are looking at a seller's bathroom, wondering if they will feel good about brushing their teeth in that sink. Some elbow grease goes a long way to make it a well-received space.

What I really mean, though, is the stuff. Many of us don't live with decorative accessories in our bathrooms. But staging a home for sale means presenting spaces so they look like a magazine spread. This approach really appeals to buyers.

It doesn't have to be complicated:

• Candles, greenery, vases, soaps and artwork make stunning transformations.
• Pay attention to shower curtains and choose a neutral color and pattern.
• Don't forget the towels. Always hang them on all towel racks. Use bath and hand towels, the nicest, fluffiest ones you have and fold them neatly. If you don't have newer towels, it's a good time to buy some. You can take them with you and it will make a huge difference in the way your bathroom looks--fresh and fluffy versus tired and worn.

Apply these techniques to all bathrooms--powder rooms, kid's baths, even spare bathrooms in the basement. This makes them all look usable and attractive for everyone.

Finally, don't forget what is reflected in the mirror. This is true in any room, but we tend to have the largest mirrors in our bathrooms. For example, hanging a piece of art so it's reflected in the mirror when entering a bathroom means it gets viewed twice, in the reflection and from other places in the room. Also pay attention to what you see in the mirror in other adjoining rooms.

A little tweaking will make bathrooms and the surrounding spaces picture perfect!

Cathy Brosius is the owner of Arranged Smartly, a home staging and organizing company.  Cathy and her team are working smartly for homeowners and real estate agents throughout the St. Louis region.  She has also been interviewed on KMOV's Great Day St. Louis, providing tips on staging a home for sale.