Can I Decorate My Home for Christmas When It's for Sale?

By
Home Stager with Rooms With Style

As a Home Stager I get that question a lot. There is a very short answer....Absolutely!

Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday that most people understand. If it is your tradition I don't feel that you need to put that aside just for selling your home. The potential buyer will most likely also celebrate and decorate for Christmas and may appreciate seeing the perfect place for the tree and the warmth of the holiday in their future home.

There are a few caveats, however to decorating your home for Christmas while it is for sale. That caveat being, how into Christmas are you?

If you are a person that loves Christmas and it comes out in your home decorations to the tune that you have 53 bins of Christmas decorations then you may need to tone it down and only use 3-4 of those bins. :)

 

 

 

The goal is for the architectural features of your home to still be seen through the Christmas decor. If the decorations are so thick and overwhelming, the buyer will not be able to visual what the house looks like without all the extra items.

It may also make the rooms appear smaller and darker.

 

     Putting up a Christmas tree is totally acceptable but be a little more conscience of where you place it. Perhaps the traditional spot isn't the best place when you have people coming through. You may need to put it in a different room or in the lower level. Keep the traffic flow areas open, don't cover up a beautiful view and don't get a tree that is so large it takes up most of a room.

One other suggestion I have is to decorate with as little red and green as possible. I know those are the traditional Christmas colors but the more you can use gold, silver, and white will keep the space more neutral and not clash with your regular color scheme.

 

 

 

I hope that gives you some guidance on how to still enjoy the Christmas season in  your home while having potential buyers taking a look.

Always get professional advice from a trained Home Stager when selling one of your largest assets.

 

 

 

Comments (11)

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Realty Center - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I am glad you answered that way!  I can't imagine a stale home over the holidays!

Dec 01, 2017 06:55 AM
Shar Sitter

Amen Kristin Johnston - REALTOR® 

Dec 01, 2017 03:33 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Shar, great post and so timely!   There is a fine line when it comes to Holiday decorations when your home is on the market!  

Dec 01, 2017 07:10 AM
Shar Sitter

So true Joan Cox. I don't think sellers have to skip Christmas because their  house is on the market. 

Dec 01, 2017 03:34 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Shar

This is such useful information. There are plenty of people who list and sell over the holidays and some do a better job of decorating in moderation than others. Good reading for anyone planning to sell this holiday season.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jeff

Dec 01, 2017 07:27 AM
Shar Sitter

Thank you Jeff Dowler . Have a great weekend and Merry Christmas!

Dec 01, 2017 03:34 PM
Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, CRB, Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate BR030809000 - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

HI Debb - I was in a house the other day that looked similiar to your first picture. Holy smokes the look on my buyers face was pricless!  She said something like - let's come back after the holidays to look at what the house really has to offer.  This post is really good advice - keep it very simple when decorating for the holidays if your home is on the market.

Dec 01, 2017 07:40 AM
Shar Sitter

Oh dear Anna Banana Kruchten CRS,CRB ....I didn't think anything could look like that photo! :)  But who is Debb? 

Dec 01, 2017 03:35 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

To dress up or not is the question...Dress for success may be the answer

Dec 01, 2017 09:46 AM
Shar Sitter

Yes and success can have a little Christmas mixed in Richie Alan Naggar !


 

Dec 01, 2017 03:35 PM
MaryKay Shumway
The Kellstrom Ray Agency, Inc. (Est. 1948) - Sister Bay, WI
Door County Wisconsin's Real Estate Expert

Great post--thanks for sharing!

Dec 01, 2017 11:15 AM
Shar Sitter

Thank you MaryKay Shumway, Door County 

Dec 01, 2017 03:36 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
New Hampshire Home Stager

Well said Shar! 

No need to go without during the holidays...if done as you describe the holiday decor will add to the emotional appeal!

Dec 01, 2017 04:44 PM
Shar Sitter

I totally agree Sharon Tara . And Merry Christmas!

Dec 12, 2017 11:40 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Shar Sitter that is quite a dining room display. Overpowering is the adjective that comes to mind.

Dec 01, 2017 09:01 PM
Shar Sitter

What? You don't like that dining room decorated to the hilt Wayne Johnson? LOL

Dec 12, 2017 11:40 AM
Eva B. Liland Century 21 Doug Anderson
Century 21 Doug Anderson - Lancaster, CA
Glad to be of Service 661-714-1643

Thanks for the advise about not using so much red and green and also to decorate sparingly. That first picture of yours is truly overwhelming, lol.

Dec 02, 2017 11:54 AM
Shar Sitter

It is overwhelming isn't it Eva B. Liland with Century 21 Doug Anderson . I was trying to get my point across. LOL

Dec 12, 2017 11:39 AM
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

Nice to see you Shar. Agree with you completely. Less is more, but sellers should still deck the halls. D 

Dec 03, 2017 11:40 AM
Shar Sitter

Nice to see you too Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD . Deck the Halls and have a Merry Christmas!

Dec 12, 2017 11:38 AM

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