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.

Still, that doesn’t mean selling a home is hard by any means (particularly this year). What it does mean, though? 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 (or any staging, for that matter) can help in both arenas. Not only can it make the home feel more welcoming and warm, but 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:

Holiday staging tip 1: Create a well-appointed mantel.

Nothing says the holidays like a fully decked-out fireplace mantel. Adorn the top with candlesticks, garland, pinecones, and holly berries, and 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’s chilly.

Holiday staging tip 2: Go all out on the front porch. 

A little holiday curb appeal can be great, too. Invest in a few poinsettias for the porch, lay out a holiday-themed doormat, and hang a festive wreath on the front door. (Just make sure to pop by and water the poinsettias from time to time.)

You can also add holiday-themed pillows to any swings or rockers on the porch, and lining any pillars or railings with garland can be a nice touch as well.

Holiday staging tip 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 and holiday-colored bulbs, or you can even do smaller trees in other areas of the home — on bathroom counters, in the finished basement, etc. Basically anywhere that needs a little extra pizazz, a tree can help.

Holiday staging tip 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 for the occasion. Bring out the china, plate chargers, and cloth napkins, and make sure to add a holiday centerpiece, too. Garland, bulbs, candles, or flowers — they’re all a great choice for dressing a holiday table. You should also consider adding a nice table runner to pull it all together.

Holiday staging tip 5: Line the stairs and pillars.

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

Holiday staging tip 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 a little holiday touch, too. Fill them with swathes of garland (maybe flocked ones?), red flowers, holly berries, or even small lights or bulbs. Depending on the home color, you can even paint them red for an extra holiday pop.

Holiday staging tip 7: Swap out vases and containers.

Rather than filling countertop vases and containers with flowers or bland candles, swap in some holiday-themed decor items instead. Fill vases with things like dried berries, flocked pinecones, or tinsel and lights. You can place them on the bartop, on tables, and in other areas that just 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 or showings. Candy canes, gingerbread cookies, or even holiday-colored Hershey kisses can be a great idea. Just place them in small tin or on a nice cake stand in the kitchen where potential buyers can easily find them.

Consider adding a holiday-scented candle or air freshener to a few rooms in the house too. These can be great ways to 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.