How to Stage a Kitchen to Sell Your House

Most homes have to many small appliances out on the Kitchen counter. When you Stage a kitchen you put them away, or give them away. Pack up those kitchen collections, no matter how much you love them. Your antique plate collection, those clever mugs, the adorable salt and pepper shaker collection - gone, gone, gone! They distract the buyer's eye. You want to sell the kitchen space, not your collectibles.

Clear away all but one or three items from the windowsill. A small, healthy plant and a couple knickknacks are all that's needed here, nothing else. Pick up small scatter rugs; they make a room look smaller. If space allows, one large Asian rug in the middle makes a better statement.

Move the dog and cat dishes, so buyers can't trip on them. Put them in a space that is out of the way and perhaps out of sight.

Now look at your refrigerator. If your like most people, it's an exploding art gallery of photos, magnets, comics, and recipes, most of them past their prime. Anything necessary can be placed on the side of the refrigerator. Clean the top of the refrigerator, too, so it's spotless and clutter free.

When you stage a kitchen you want to make any repairs necessary. Repair tile or Formica counter tops and edges that damaged or have come unglued. If tile grout is stained, clean it with bleach. Make sure kitchen windows and walls are clean. Paint the kitchen if it needs it; you'll get a great return on this small investment.

Clean stove top and oven. Replace burner pans if they are badly stained. Clean exhaust fans, filters, and hoods. Q-tip clean is required here; anything less just won't work. Empty the garbage regularly to prevent kitchen odors, replacing the wastebasket if necessary. Scrub refrigerator top to bottom, and inside out, (buyers will open it) and put a fresh box of baking soda in both the refrigerator and the freezer.

When you Stage a kitchen keep the kitchen sink clean and empty everyday. Make sure the kitchen faucet is clean and works smoothly without drips. Stow soap dispensers, scouring pads dish drainers and paper towels under the sink.

Now comes the fun part to Stage a kitchen, accessories. You only need a few things here and there. You can place a bowl or large glass vase full of green apples or lemons. A bouquet of fresh flowers on the counter brings the outside in and gives off a wonderful fragrance. On the counter top in the corner place a cookbook on a stand with a tall olive oil and vinaigrette bottle next to it.

You can use a small wine rack with some wine bottles in it and two nice wine glass set next to it. Always do a grouping of three unless it is a large piece then let it stand alone.

Hang new valances over the windows to freshen things up. Magazines and staging books have tons of ideas on how to display items. Just remember when you Stage a kitchen or any room for that matter. less is more.