Have a New Listing? 7 Holiday Staging Ideas to Get It Noticed

Winter is typically a slow time of year for home sales. The weather cools, and most people are spending their cash on gifts and travel rather than buying a new home.

But that doesn’t mean selling a home will be hard — particularly this year. What it does mean is that you may need to put in a little more work to ensure it’s sold quickly and at a premium.

Fortunately, a little holiday staging can help with both of these. Not only can it make the home feel welcoming and warm, it can also make for better photographs — and those play a huge role in a listing’s overall success.

Did you just get a new listing? Here are some staging tips to help get it noticed:

1: Create an inviting mantel.

Nothing says the holidays like a fully decked-out fireplace mantel. Adorn the top with candlesticks, garland, pinecones, and holly berries. Hang a few stockings from it as well. You can even string some lights to make the area really pop.

Make sure to turn on the fireplace before showings or open houses, too. A nice fire can make a home feel even more welcoming — especially if the weather is chilly.

2: Go all out on the front porch. 

A little holiday curb appeal can go a long way. Lay out a holiday-themed doormat and hang a festive wreath on the front door. If you’re in a warm enough climate, invest in a few poinsettias for the porch. (Just make sure to pop by and water them from time to time.)

You can also add holiday-themed pillows to any swings or rockers on the porch and wrap the pillars or railings with garland for a festive touch.

3: Put up a Christmas tree — or several of them.

Christmas trees can make for great holiday touches throughout the house. You can do a large one in the foyer or living area with classic white lights or holiday-colored bulbs. Then add smaller trees in other areas of the home — on bathroom counters, in the finished basement, etc. Anywhere that needs a little extra pizzazz will be brightened up with a tree.

4: Set a holiday tablescape. 

Show potential buyers what it would look like to host a holiday meal in the home by setting out a full tablescape. Bring out the china, plate chargers, and cloth napkins, and make sure to add a holiday centerpiece, too. Garland, candles, and flowers — they’re all a great choice for dressing a holiday table. You could also add a nice table runner to pull it all together.

5: Line the stairs and pillars.

Does the home have a large winding staircase? Pillars in the foyer? Highlight these areas by wrapping them in lush garland or strands of lights to make them more eye-catching. Bows and flowers can be worked into garlands for some extra flair as well.

6: Add some festive window boxes.

Window boxes can be an easy, affordable way to enhance a home’s curb appeal, and they’re great for adding that holiday touch. Fill them with swaths of garland, red flowers, holly berries, and small lights. Depending on the home color, you can even paint them red for an extra holiday pop.

7: Swap out vases and containers.

Rather than filling vases and containers with flowers or everyday candles, swap in some holiday-themed decor instead. Fill vases with dried berries, flocked pinecones, or tinsel and lights. You can place them on the bar top, on tables, and in other areas that need something extra. 

More ways to bring in the holidays

You can also lay out some festive holiday treats in the home before your open houses and showings. Candy canes, gingerbread cookies, even holiday-colored Hershey kisses are a great idea. Just place them in small tins or on a nice cake stand in the kitchen where potential buyers will see them.

Consider adding a holiday-scented candle or air freshener to a few rooms in the house, too. These can make the place feel even more like “home for the holidays.”

Selling a home in winter

Staging is just one way to ensure your listing gets sold quickly and at a premium price this winter. Want more help? You can also try these tips for selling a home during the holidays. And if you’re hosting a holiday open house or other event, use these strategies for reducing stress.