When you're selling your home, it's important to help potential buyers envision the lifestyle they'll enjoy if they make an offer you can't refuse. One way to do that is by staging your outdoor living space, so here are seven tips to make sure you get it right. Check out these seven tips to stage your outdoor living space in a way that makes buyers fall in love: 1. Declutter and clean
2. Spruce up your landscaping
3. Bring in portable plants
4. Define each space
5. Add ample seating
6. Choose comfort-themed accessories
7. Use lighting to set the mood Here's a closer look at each. ### Outdoor Living Space Staging Tip #1: Declutter and Clean Remove everything from your deck, patio or porch that's not in use or doesn't contribute to the space's overall aesthetic. Put away all bikes, toys and outdoor accessories, too, so they don't distract prospective buyers. After you tidy up, it's time to get down to the serious business of cleaning. Scour the floors of your outdoor living space, wipe down handrails, clean the windows and power-wash the walkway. The idea is to make your space as clean as it was when it was first built. ### Outdoor Living Space Staging Tip #2: Spruce Up Your Landscaping Buyers will pay close attention to your landscaping, so it's important to make a good impression. Weed the flower beds, trim the hedges and bushes, and rake leaves. Add some fresh mulch to give your landscaping a polished look. If you have the time and budget, you may also want to plant some fresh flowers. Pops of color add richness to the space, and prospective buyers can picture themselves enjoying the scenery. ### Outdoor Living Space Staging Tip #3: Bring in Portable Plants In addition to sprucing up your landscaping, adding some potted plants can give your outdoor living space a homey feel. Consider placing them on the steps leading up to your porch or by the door to your patio. When selecting plants, choose those that are easy to care for and require minimal watering. You don't want to give buyers the impression that they'll have to spend all their time tending to the plants instead of enjoying their new outdoor living space. ### Outdoor Living Space Staging Tip #4: Define Each Space If you have a large deck or patio, it's important to define each area so buyers can see how they might use the space. For example, if you have a built-in grill, create an outdoor kitchen area by adding a small table and chairs. If you have a fire pit, arrange some Adirondack chairs around it to create a cozy seating area. The idea is to give buyers ideas of how they can use the space so they can see themselves enjoying it after they've moved in. ### Outdoor Living Space Staging Tip #5: Add Ample Seating One of the most important things to remember when staging your outdoor living space is to provide ample seating. No one wants to feel cramped when they're relaxing outside, so make sure there's enough room for people to move around freely. Add a few comfortable lounge chairs or an outdoor sofa and coffee table. If you're limited on space, choose smaller furnishings. Remember: Something is better than nothing. You're not just selling a home; you're selling an idea of the lifestyle buyers can have if you accept their offer. ### Outdoor Living Space Staging Tip #6: Choose Comfort-Themed Accessories When it comes to accessories, less is more. You don't want your outdoor living space to look like a showroom, so select a few items that complement the space and add to the overall atmosphere. Some comfort-themed accessories you may want to consider include throw blankets, cushions, pillows and candles. These items make the space more inviting and give buyers the impression that they can relax and enjoy themselves here. ### Outdoor Living Space Staging Tip #7: Use Lighting to Set the Mood Lighting is important when it comes to setting the mood in your outdoor living space. String lights along the handrails of your porch or deck, or hang them from tree branches. Candles are also a great way to add ambiance to the space. Just be sure to use battery-operated candles so you don't have to worry about open flames.
