Basements aren’t the first room to come to mind during home staging. Many homeowners tend to focus on the ‘big’ rooms, such as the kitchen, master bedroom, dining room, and living area. But with the right basement staging, you can turn this unused space into one of your home’s most attractive features.
In this post, we’ll share some expert tips and why you should consider hiring the best home staging Los Angeles has to offer. Keep reading to learn more – you might be surprised by how much selling potential your basement holds!
Basement staging tips to attract potential buyers
Due to a lack of windows, it can be challenging to turn a basement into an attractive space. Still, you can get started with these practical tips to make your basement a functional feature on your property:
1. Get rid of the clutter
The first order of business when staging your basement is to remove all the accumulated clutter. Also, make sure you do deep cleaning so your basement space will be a clean slate before you start the staging process.
However, if you’re staging an occupied house, you can turn your basement clutter into a neatly organized storage area. You can use bins and shelving to make the space more inviting once potential buyers walk in.
2. Choose a cooler color palette
Most basements are windowless, which can make the space even more suffocating when using dark colors. Instead, opt for cool neutral tones, such as cream, beige, light blue, and grays to make the space feel open and large. These colors reflect light really well, giving your basement a cool and airy atmosphere.
In general, neutral tones when staging a home allow to appeal to a wider pool of potential homebuyers.
3. Use big mirrors
Mirrors create an illusion of space, which can make small or low-ceiling basements feel bigger. It also reflects light, which will help brighten a dark and windowless space like your basement.
Aside from that, mirrors add a sophisticated touch. You can use mirrors in different shapes and frame designs to match your staging theme.
4. Paint the ceiling
If your basement looks dark and cramped, you can paint the ceiling and walls with a light color. This will make the space brighter, not to mention that it will give old or unfinished ceilings a clean look.
By using the same paint color on both the walls and ceiling, you blur the boundaries between them. This will make your basement feel taller, and it will also complement your lighting, which we discussed below.
5. Don’t skimp on lighting
Layered lighting works well for dark basements. You can use a combination of overhead lights together with desk lamps, table lamps, floor lamps, dimmers, and recessed lights. Make sure you also add warm bulbs to give a cozy feel to your basement.
Also, we recommend using LED bulbs for ample lighting without too much heat buildup.
6. Go easy with accessories
Limiting accessories and décor reduces clutter in your basement, giving it a more spacious appearance. It’s best to focus on functionality, like a desk for a home office or gaming consoles if you’re staging an entertainment room.
7. Add some greenery
Indoor plants will make your basement look livelier and breathable. It also doubles as a natural décor that appeals to a wide range of buyers, especially those in the younger segment.
Aside from that, plants can soften harsh lines in your basement. For example, a snake plant can add a pop of color to a boring corner, or trailing plants like pothos can soften the hard lines of your shelving units.
8. Mind the smell
It’s not enough that your basement looks the part – it should also ‘smell’ the part’ during showings. It’s easy for basements to develop a musty or stuffy odor due to poor ventilation, which is something you should keep in check.
However, avoid masking a foul scent with fresheners. If you wish to add a nice whiff, you can use a mild-scented candle or a bowl of coffee grounds instead.
9. Consider partial staging
If you want to save time and effort, you can hire our professional partial staging service. Unlike whole-house staging, partial staging allows you to choose one or multiple rooms to stage.
For example, you can ask us to stage only your basement or in combination with another area of your house. We can provide this staging service for both vacant and occupied homes anywhere in the Greater Los Angeles area.
Contact us today to get a free partial staging estimate, be it for your basement or other areas of your house.
Basement staging ideas to transform your unused space
Below, our professional stagers listed trendy home staging ideas for the basement area of different kinds:
1. For small basements
Small basements have limited space, but it doesn’t mean you can’t transform into an inviting room. Here are some of the ideas our team can bring to life once you hire us to stage your basement:
- Home office nook. You can turn a small basement into a functional home office complete with a desk, office chair, and shelving.
- Entertainment space. If you’re selling a family home, you can set up cozy entertainment in your basement. You can use minimalist seats and a console for media storage.
- Art studio. You can also turn your basement into a music or art studio. This is a great idea if you’re selling homes to young professionals.
2. For unfinished basements
Unfinished basements don’t have to be an eyesore in your house. Instead, staging unfinished basement spaces is possible through the following:
- Mini gym. The rugged look of unfinished basements gives the perfect atmosphere for a home gym. You can stage a few pieces of equipment, such as an elliptical and free weights.
- Storage room. Your basement can also be an organized storage room with neat shelving, storage units, racks, and so on. This is a good option if your basement is occupied with your personal belongings.
3. For low-ceiling basements
Low-ceiling basements often feel cramped and almost impossible to turn into a functional space. Still, you can make it attractive to homebuyers with the following ideas:
- Cozy lounge area. You can arrange a sectional sofa in your basement with floor lamps to create a cozy atmosphere. This way, your setup won’t take up too much vertical space.
- Reading nook. You can place bean bags and floor cushions together with a small bookshelf to create a reading area. You can also add layers of lighting to make the space more inviting.
- Pet zone. If your basement has a very low ceiling, you can turn it into a pet zone. You can turn it into a cool ‘pet house’ complete with a feeding station, pet bed, climbing tower, and so on.
4. For walkout basements
Walkout basements are more flexible since they have more natural light and easy outdoor access. Here are some staging ideas you can consider:
- Guest room. You can set up a bedroom area in your walkout basement, perfect for homebuyers who are always expecting guests. This is a good way to increase the value of your basement and your home’s asking price in the long run.
- Home office with a view. If you’re targeting young professionals as homebuyers, you should consider turning the basement into a home office with a view. The natural light will make the setup more attractive and functional.
- Game room. A basement game room with a game table and consoles would be a good idea as well. This is especially true if your walkout basement leads to a yard where homebuyers can see their families having fun game weekends.
Mistakes to avoid when staging a basement
If you want to try your hand at staging a basement, make sure you avoid these pitfalls:
- Overcrowding with furniture. Less is more when staging a basement, especially small ones. Simply choose a few functional pieces and ensure that they are proportional to avoid making the space too cramped.
- Choosing the wrong paint. If you’re planning to paint your basement walls, always use low-VOC products. Otherwise, your basement will have a buildup of unpleasant odors that will put off potential buyers during showings.
- Hiding moisture problems. Trapped moisture and molds are the main problems in most basements. If you discover these in your home, make sure you address them first before starting the staging process.
Let HolmeStage transform your basement into a homebuyer’s dream!
If you want a winning basement staging, all you have to do is contact us at HolmeStage! We have 11+ years of real estate staging for all types of properties all over Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and San Bernardino Counties.
Our team of professional stagers can transform your basement into an attractive space that will catch the eyes of potential buyers. Not only that, staging can also help you negotiate a higher price and even let you close your property faster.
Reach out to us today if you want to learn more about our staging service or if you’re interested in a quote. Our experienced stagers and interior designers can’t wait to transform your home!
