Your Children's Rooms During a Showing

By
Home Stager

Kid’s rooms

These rooms need to be as neutral as possible while still targeting your ideal buyer. This means that a family will want to see how a crib, twin or full bed would fit into the room.  However, they don’t need to know the names and ages of your children, where they go to school and every award and/or trophy they have ever won.

 

Furniture buyers expect to see:

  • Twin, full or queen bed depending on size and shape of the room

Remove

  • Items with your child’s name on it such as trophies, awards, school pictures, wooden letters above their desk or bed
  • All personal photos
  • Pack away toys, jewelry, books in closet
  • Clear tops of desks and dressers of personal items
  • Portable fans, humidifiers, heaters, etc.
  • Any religious items such as a cross above the doorway or religious sayings
  • Sports team references
  • Movie and teen idol posters
  • 2/3 of stuffed animal collections
  • Loud or bright paint colors that overwhelm the room and make it feel smaller or darker than it really is( bright orange, electric blue, red should all be painted a neutral beige color)
  • Character or overly themed bedding such as Spiderman, Batman, Princess, or very loud or dark bedding that overwhelms the room.(remember the goal is for the buyer to get the idea of the room without overwhelming them or turning them off.)

Comments (4)

Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

MaryBeth - OY VEY!!!  Easier said than done!  Do you have children?  Better yet, do you have teenagers and have you tried selling a home while your kids were young or teenagers?  I sympathisize with sellers who have kids who have "busy" rooms.

Dec 07, 2011 09:05 AM
Anonymous
Mary Beth Strait

Donne, I have two children and have sold a house when my daughter was younger.  I know it's difficult, but it is easier when everyone in the family is on board with selling the house.

Barb- thanks!  It sounds like you've found a great way to frame a delicate subject.

Dec 07, 2011 10:16 AM
#3
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Mary Beth--I was in an open house yesterday a few weeks back, where the lower level was overwhelmed with trophies, photos, and plaques.  It literally felt like I was invading someone's personal space.  Buyers would feel that, too.  As you suggest, pack those things up and enjoy them in the next home. 

Dec 07, 2011 05:14 PM