4 Reasons to Use Self Storage When Staging Your Home

So, you’ve made the decision to sell your current home. Congratulations! This is an exciting time, and you’ll soon learn (if you haven’t already) that getting your home into tip-top shape should be your top priority as you prepare for your move.

Your real estate agent will likely tell you that your home needs to be properly staged before you open it up to potential buyers.

What is staging? We’re glad you asked! Staging refers to preparing your home for viewing by potential buyers. You want to, in essence, “set the stage” by presenting your space in the best possible light…and one of the easiest ways to make that happen is by renting a storage unit.

That’s why, as one of Sydney’s most trusted storage facilities, we’ve created this list of 4 reasons you should rent a self-storage unit when staging your home.

1. It Helps Reduce Clutter

One of the first things your realtor will tell you is to cut down on the clutter in your home. While your current furniture arrangement may work well for you, it may not work for other families.

Your agent may recommend removing several pieces of furniture, piles of books, mountains of toys, and other items that make your home feel cramped. The purpose of staging is to rearrange items in your home to maximise the space and improve perceived traffic flow. You want potential buyers to be able to imagine themselves and their families easily navigating through your space and having plenty of room for their own items. If your rooms are filled with furniture and your shelves crammed with decorative pieces, it can convey the feeling that there simply isn’t enough space for all the necessities.

Many homeowners make the mistake of using their garage space as an impromptu storage unit. The problem with doing so is this—those interested in your home are going to evaluate it from top to bottom…and that includes the garage. Having yours filled to the brim with extra furniture and other items destroys the illusion created by your careful staging. Guests will know you didn’t have enough room for all your stuff and may view your home as lacking.

Renting a storage unit allows you to get all the extra stuff out of your house, freeing up all that space and improving the appearance of your home.

2. It Allows You to Create a Cohesive Look

For those who have been in their home for a number of years, it’s likely that you have a variety of furnishings and décor pieces (who can forget the appeal of mid-century-modern or industrial farmhouse design from a few years back?).

And while it can be fun to create your own eclectic style by mixing aesthetics, your real estate agent may suggest you stick to one “theme” to broaden the appeal of your home. When it comes to choosing which style to go with, most industry experts suggest choosing the more neutral option—make the base of your furnishings the standard pieces you have on hand, then incorporate a few unique items to add visual interest.

3. It Protects Your Property

The problem with storing extra furniture and décor in a garage or outdoor storage shed is the increased risk of damaging your belongings. Any wooden furniture you have that is stored outside the home is exposed to varying temperatures and humidity levels. This can cause wood to warp and crack if left exposed for an extended period of time.

Real estate agents often recommend removing family photographs and portraits during the staging process because it allows potential buyers to imagine your space as their own home. But placing those valuable pictures in garages and sheds means they could develop mold and/or mildew and end up irreparably damaged.

Your items will be safer if you rent a climate-controlled storage unit. These units maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level, allowing you to safely store delicate items like wooden furniture, antiques, photographs, mattresses, and artwork. You may pay more for a climate-controlled unit but, considering the value of the items you’re storing, it’s usually a price worth paying.

4. It Makes Moving Easier

Another benefit to renting a storage unit is the fact that, in the process of staging your home, you’ve likely packed up a good bit of your extra décor in order to move it to your unit. This means you’ll have less to pack up once you close the deal on your home sale.

If you’re looking for safe, climate-controlled storage to keep your belongings in good condition while you stage your home, we hope you’ll contact us at Holloway Storage. Our units have plenty of room to keep all of your things organised and secure until you’re ready to move them into your new home.