When shopping for a new home, potential buyers are drawn to clean, contemporary, and neutral interiors that allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding in the space. Recognizing this, many savvy sellers are turning to professional home stagers to give their properties an instant makeover. These experts specialize in transforming outdated or overly personalized spaces into universally appealing homes, often resulting in a major boost to the sale price.“A thoughtfully staged and curated home can sell for at least 10 percent more than an unstaged home,” says Jessica Buchman, an associate real estate broker at Corcoran, noting that about one-fourth of her clients hire professional stagers.If you’re preparing to list your home, leveraging the power of expert staging could be the key to selling faster and for top dollar. Alternatively, you can take inspiration from their proven techniques and implement them yourself for a cost-effective upgrade. Whether you hire the pros or go the DIY route, strategic staging can breathe new life into your home, highlight its best features, and help prospective buyers fall in love at first sight. Follow these 11 expert-backed tips to transform your house into a buyer’s dream and potentially secure an above-asking price offer.Related StoriesRemove Personal ItemsThis first tip may be somewhat controversial, but many say that it really does make a difference. Potential buyers want to establish an emotional connection with a home and envision their family enjoying it—and seeing pictures of your family hanging on every wall can stand in their way. Take family portraits off the wall, and clear framed pictures off end tables and bookshelves. This principle also extends to any other decorative pieces that may be construed as personal, political, or potentially offensive, says expert stager Terry Mainord, founder of Terry Mainord Design. For example, a mounted deer head over a fireplace could send even the most serious of buyers running out the door, and a provocative piece of art may make some buyers feel uncomfortable. Paint the InteriorsThe dark green walls in your study and the cabbage rose wallpaper in your powder room may appeal to you (or at least not bother you), but they might turn off some buyers. “A fresh coat of not quite white paint makes a home feel newer and fresher. Try neutral beige tones like Benjamin Moore London Fog or La Paloma Grey,” says celebrity interior designer Cheryl Eisen, founder of Interior Marketing Group, which specializes in luxury staging and interior design. “My mantra is ‘neutral tones sell homes’ because neutral tones have broad appeal.” There are, however, a few instances in which color can make a space feel more inviting. “In NYC, I stage a lot of brownstones and prewar apartments, which can often benefit from color,” says Mainord. “In stagings this year, I’ve used deep burgundy, soft lavender, steely blue, and a bold, emerald green. In kitchens, we often paint worn wood cabinets and use darker tones to complement existing dark kitchen counters.”Related StoryGo for a Minimalist VibeSimple, modern furniture in light colors enhances most rooms and doesn’t compete with the architecture. That was Eisen’s mindset when she flipped a Mediterranean-style house in Palmetto Bay, a suburb of Miami. After changing the flooring, removing a few walls, updating the staircase, and making some other improvements, she staged the home with neutral paint, modern chandeliers, and modern art. “The result was a bidding war—and a profit of over 100 percent return on investment,” she says.…Or Make a StatementWhile simple, neutral furnishings are the hallmark of most stagers, a cool, stylish interior can appeal to certain buyers. “My favorite stager is a maximalist. He will create an aspirational experience from the moment you walk in the door. There will be color and texture, and his props are often antiques and curiosities from far-away travels,” says Buchman. This tactic is riskier than opting for a sparse, neutral look, but it can appeal to discerning buyers in high-end areas who want a stylish home they can move right into.Related StoryPay Attention to ScaleChoosing the right size furnishings can make your home seem bigger. “Lower profile furnishings give the appearance of higher ceilings, and the larger the area rug, the larger the room looks,” Eisen says. Large-scale modern art can also add life and energy to a home, but be sure you don’t hang it too high, which is a common mistake. “In general, the center of the artwork should be around 57 inches from the floor, unless it’s hanging over a piece of furniture,” Mainord says.Replace Light FixturesThis is one of the quickest and most inexpensive staging techniques—and it can have a huge payoff. Swap out dated chandeliers and sconces with more modern fixtures, and screw in warm 2700K lightbulbs, which provide a soothing, inviting glow. “It doesn’t have to be expensive lighting, but updates like this make a home feel more custom and designed,” Eisen says.Related StorySpiff Up the FloorsDated, worn, or stained wall-to-wall carpeting can make a house feel old and dingy. “Remove old carpet and replace it with neutral area rugs like jute or ivory wool, which work in almost any room and will add an appealing texture,” Mainord says. Also replace worn stair runners (or just remove them if there’s nice wood underneath), sand and/or buff wood floors, and clean the grout in tiled floors. Try Some Smoke and Mirrors“Buyers respond to bright, spacious spaces,” Eisen says. To make your home seem brighter, she suggests strategically placing mirrors across from windows to help reflect light. For example, hang a mirror over the fireplace in the family room or above a sideboard in the dining room. Related StoryFocus on High-Traffic AreasIf you can’t afford to stage your whole house, zone in on the rooms that buyers see first. “I would suggest focusing on the living/dining rooms and primary bedroom. Those are the main rooms of a home, which usually get photographed,” Mainord says.Accessorize WiselyKitchens and bathrooms can the the most costly and complicated spaces to stage, so be creative when it comes to accessories. “Replacing cabinet hardware and lighting are two ways we like to update kitchens,” Mainord says. “In bathrooms, we strive for a spa-like ambiance, so new fluffy white towels, white shower curtains, and white mats are easy upgrades. Adding plants—even good fauxs—to these areas also makes a difference. Adding something that looks fresh and organic appeals to buyers!”Related StoryDon’t Forget About the ExteriorPainting the exterior of a house is expensive, but when you consider that an unusual or unappealing paint color can cause a house to languish on the market for months, it’s a wise investment. “Curb appeal is incredibly important when selling a house. Pulling up to a wow moment immediately sets the tone,” says Eisen, who suggests painting houses white, which is always a safe bet. To add to the exterior style, “try flanking two topiaries outside the front door to create a welcoming, happy moment,” she says.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.