Staging Checklist

If you are thinking about selling your property, make sure to follow this Home Staging Checklist to get started. 

Helen’s Design has created our Easy to Follow Steps for Home Sellers in 2026. We have seen so many clients start off feeling overwhelmed. It’s quite challenging to figure out all the steps required to prep your home for the market. We have simplified everything by creating a simple checklist for each client before the stagers arrive. 

During the first consultation, we establish what will need to be stored away, what furniture items can remain in the home during their staging, what minor repairs need to be completed, and what small upgrades could enhance the value of the property.

Preparing both the home's exterior and interior is crucial for making a positive impression on potential Buyers.

The exterior, being the first thing they see upon arrival, sets the initial tone for the viewing. A clean and well-maintained yard shows buyers that the property has been cared for and elevates the overall feeling the buyers have during their first impression. 

Inside the home should feel clean, airy, and without issues. Buyers are less likely to want a home inspection condition when they visit a property that has clearly been cared for. Buyers are more likely to compete in a bidding war and offer a higher price, if they see a house in move-in-ready condition. This doesn’t mean renovated, however it does mean that certain maintenance items will need to be completed.

After the property is cleaned, repairs are made, and the decluttering is completed, we send in the stagers for the final touches. We look at this step as the frosting on top of the cake! Here is our prep list to get you started. 

Exterior:

□ Remove peeling and chipped paint; replace with a fresh coat

□ Fix loose trim and fencing

□ Clear gutters and downspouts

□ Make sure the front house light, numbers, and mailbox are clean and modern 

□ Pressure washing the exterior makes everything look newer 

□ Mow and trim grass; sod where necessary

□ Prune all overgrown trees and shrubs

□ Weed flowers beds and add mulch 

□ Paint or stain worn areas on wood decks and doors

□ Remove grass growing in concrete and between cracks 

□ Clean all deck rails and make sure they’re secure; replace missing slats or posts

Windows

□ Clean all windows inside and out

□ If needed, add a fresh coat of paint to the window trims and sills

□ Make sure all windows open and close easily

□ Replace cracked windowpanes and those with broken seals

□ Make sure window screens are clean and secure; replace any screens with holes or tears

Home Interior

□ Clean all floors, wash carpets, walls, and trim

□ Fix dripping faucets

□ Clean the fridge, oven and cook top thoroughly

□ Give rooms a fresh coat of paint as needed (ask us first before selecting a colour)

□ Repair cracks and holes in ceiling and walls 

□ Remove grout and soap stains from tile and replace old caulking 

□ Replace any missing or cracked tiles or grout

Helen’s Design is a staging company located in Waterloo Region. We look forward to meeting with you in 2026. Our staging consultation will be focused on optimizing value in the most cost effective way.