Tips for Staging Your Home During the Summer Months
Tips for Staging Your Home During the Summer Months
Selling a home in the summer is a unique opportunity. Longer days, beautiful landscaping and more buyers make it one of the best times to list your home. But with more homes on the market, you need to make yours stand out. That’s where staging comes in.
Staging your home – especially in the summer – is more than just cleaning up. It’s about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that resonates with buyers and helps them picture themselves living there. In this post we’ll go through practical, seasonal tips to make your home shine in the hot summer real estate market.
Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Stage
Before we get into the tips, here’s why staging is so important in the summer:
- More foot traffic: Many buyers use their vacation time to shop for homes.
- Longer days: More showings can be scheduled in the evening.
- Curb appeal is at its peak: Green lawns, blooming flowers and sunny skies make your home’s exterior look great.
- Family moves: Summer is when families want to move to avoid disrupting the school year.
By matching your home’s presentation to these seasonal advantages you can grab buyer interest quickly and potentially increase your selling price.
1. Boost Curb Appeal with Summer Touches
First impressions start at the curb. In the summer your yard, entryway and exterior should look clean, bright and well maintained.
- Mow the lawn regularly and trim the edges.
- Plant or maintain colorful flowers such as petunias, marigolds or impatiens.
- Power wash your siding, driveway and walkways to remove dirt and mildew.
- Paint or touch up the front door for a fresh look.
- Add a welcome mat and summer wreath to the entry.
Don’t forget outdoor lighting. Even with longer days good lighting helps your home shine in evening showings.
2. Keep Interiors Light, Bright and Airy
Summer is associated with brightness, warmth and openness. Reflect that inside your home with a few simple updates.
- Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light.
- Use light colored linens on beds and sofas to make rooms feel cooler.* Swap heavy drapes for sheer curtains to brighten rooms.
- Clear surfaces to allow air and light to flow.
- Add mirrors strategically to reflect sunlight and create space.
Avoid dark or heavy decor that feels stuffy in the summer.
3. Keep it Cool
If buyers are sweating through your home tour their experience – and impression – will suffer. Make sure your AC is working and keep the interior temperature at 72-74°F.
Other ways to keep your home cool:
- Use ceiling fans to circulate air.
- Close doors to unused rooms to help AC work more efficiently.
- Run a dehumidifier if your home is humid.
Showing a cool home proves your HVAC system is in good shape and your home is a cool escape from the summer heat.
4. Showcase Outdoor Living
Summer is peak season for outdoor entertaining. Buyers want to picture themselves hosting BBQs, lounging with friends or relaxing in a hammock. If you have a patio, deck, porch or balcony stage it like an extension of your indoor living space.
- Clean and arrange outdoor furniture to create a defined space.
- Add bright cushions, throw pillows or an outdoor rug for pops of color.
- String lights or lanterns for ambiance in evening showings.
- Potted plants or herbs for a touch of nature.
Even a small balcony can be made inviting with a bistro table and two chairs. Help buyers imagine the lifestyle they could have.
5. Highlight Seasonal Features
Emphasize the parts of your home that are unique to summer. This will vary by property but might include:
- Large windows that let in light and breeze
- Shaded backyard for kids or pets
- Sunroom, screened porch or pool
- Energy efficient windows or new AC unit
If your home has summer specific upgrades like a sprinkler system, new roof or smart thermostat include them in your listing materials and point them out during tours.
6. Use Fresh Scents and Light Décor
Staging isn’t just visual – it should engage all the senses. In summer use light, clean scents that don’t overpower the space:* Citrus, linen, lavender or cucumber-melon scents work well.
- Avoid heavy, musky candles that are better for fall or winter.
- Fresh flowers or a bowl of lemons on the kitchen counter can create a pleasant aroma.
Keep your decor seasonal too. Swap out dark throws and accent pieces for light and beachy vibes. Think coastal colors, breezy fabrics and minimal art.
7. Stay Clean and Show Ready
Summer means more outdoor activity which means dust, pollen or grass can track into the home. It’s crucial to stay spotless:
- Vacuum and sweep frequently to remove dust and allergens.
- Wipe down surfaces daily especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Clean windows inside and out to let in more natural light.
If you’re still living in the home while selling create a checklist of quick touch-ups before each showing. Clean homes sell faster – and for more.
8. Be Strategic with Timing
When scheduling open houses or showings consider summer routines. Many buyers are more available in the evenings or weekends.
- Avoid midday showings during the hottest part of the day.
- Use longer daylight hours to offer flexible scheduling.
- Plan around holidays and travel times when buyer activity dips.
The more convenient and comfortable the experience the better your chances of getting strong offers.
Conclusion
Staging your home in the summer is all about creating a bright, refreshing space that makes buyers feel at home. Focus on highlighting seasonal features, maximizing light and comfort and presenting your outdoor space as an asset.
With a little summer staging and polish you can increase buyer interest, reduce your time on market and potentially get a higher sale price.
