Thinking about putting your Portland home on the market? Great! Let’s make it shine. Because the truth is, when it comes to selling, how your home looks during a showing can seriously shape how fast it sells (and for how much).
And no, staging isn’t just fluff and throw pillows. It’s a strategic move that helps buyers walk in and think, “Yep, this is the one.” Here’s how to do it right, without losing your mind in the process.
First Things First: Edit, Edit… Then Edit Some More
Let’s be real: we all accumulate more stuff than we realize. That storage ottoman full of cables you haven’t used since 2014? It’s not helping your sale.
The first step to staging your home for sale is to declutter like you're prepping for a feature in Maine Home + Design. Get rid of anything that doesn't add to the look or feel of the space. Clear the countertops, edit those bookshelves, and thin out your closets. (Yes, buyers will peek in there.)
Need a little help? Portland has plenty of pros, such as organizers, donation pick-up services, and even storage pods if you need to stash your stuff while your home is on the market.
The first step to staging your home for sale is to declutter like you're prepping for a feature in Maine Home + Design. Get rid of anything that doesn't add to the look or feel of the space. Clear the countertops, edit those bookshelves, and thin out your closets. (Yes, buyers will peek in there.)
Need a little help? Portland has plenty of pros, such as organizers, donation pick-up services, and even storage pods if you need to stash your stuff while your home is on the market.
Create a Clean Slate (But Keep It Cozy)
Next up: tone it down. While your gallery wall of family memories might be meaningful to you, buyers need to imagine their life in the space.
That doesn’t mean stripping the place of all personality, but lean toward neutral colors, soft textures, and simple decor. Portland buyers love homes that feel bright, open, and connected to the Maine vibe. Think earthy tones, cozy fabrics, and a dash of seaside calm.
Not sure what to add? Try a couple of modern throw pillows, a fresh white duvet, or a big basket of blankets. You want potential buyers to walk in and say, “Ooh, I could totally see myself living here.”
That doesn’t mean stripping the place of all personality, but lean toward neutral colors, soft textures, and simple decor. Portland buyers love homes that feel bright, open, and connected to the Maine vibe. Think earthy tones, cozy fabrics, and a dash of seaside calm.
Not sure what to add? Try a couple of modern throw pillows, a fresh white duvet, or a big basket of blankets. You want potential buyers to walk in and say, “Ooh, I could totally see myself living here.”
Lighting: The Underrated MVP
Lighting is the one staging trick that’s easy to forget, but makes a huge difference. Natural light? Show it off. Pull back those heavy curtains, clean your windows, and let that Portland sunshine pour in (when we’re lucky enough to have it).
For the rest of the time, layer your lighting. Add a mix of floor lamps, table lamps, and soft overhead lights to create that warm, welcoming glow. Skip the blue-toned bulbs. Go for warm whites or soft daylight bulbs that feel homey and inviting.
It’s all about the vibe. If a room feels a little “meh,” there’s a good chance it just needs better lighting.
For the rest of the time, layer your lighting. Add a mix of floor lamps, table lamps, and soft overhead lights to create that warm, welcoming glow. Skip the blue-toned bulbs. Go for warm whites or soft daylight bulbs that feel homey and inviting.
It’s all about the vibe. If a room feels a little “meh,” there’s a good chance it just needs better lighting.
Add a Little Life
A well-placed plant goes a long way. Seriously.
Greenery makes spaces feel fresh, lived-in (but not too lived-in), and balanced. Whether it’s a snake plant in the hallway or some eucalyptus in a vase on the bathroom counter, these little touches go a long way in staging your home for sale.
And hey, if your green thumb leans more… plastic? No shame. There are some incredibly realistic faux plants out there that look just as good as the real thing, without the watering schedule.
Greenery makes spaces feel fresh, lived-in (but not too lived-in), and balanced. Whether it’s a snake plant in the hallway or some eucalyptus in a vase on the bathroom counter, these little touches go a long way in staging your home for sale.
And hey, if your green thumb leans more… plastic? No shame. There are some incredibly realistic faux plants out there that look just as good as the real thing, without the watering schedule.
It Look Like Home, But Not Your Home
Here’s the fun part: staging isn’t just about tidying up. It’s about creating little moments that help buyers emotionally connect with your home.
Set the table with a simple place setting. Toss a cozy throw over the arm of the couch. Put a coffee mug and a book by the window seat. These tiny “scenes” help buyers slow down and picture their Saturday morning in the space, not just yours.
Portland buyers especially love homes that feel warm, intentional, and unfussy. Keep it simple, keep it clean, and think about how your home feels, not just how it looks.
Set the table with a simple place setting. Toss a cozy throw over the arm of the couch. Put a coffee mug and a book by the window seat. These tiny “scenes” help buyers slow down and picture their Saturday morning in the space, not just yours.
Portland buyers especially love homes that feel warm, intentional, and unfussy. Keep it simple, keep it clean, and think about how your home feels, not just how it looks.
Give Every Room a Job
That bonus room you’ve been using as a storage dungeon? It needs a glow-up.
Every space in your home should have a clear purpose, even if it’s small or awkward. That weird nook upstairs? Turn it into a reading corner. The random room off the kitchen? Stage it as a home office. Help buyers see what’s possible.
In Portland, where quirky floorplans and historic layouts are common, showing how every square foot can work is a huge advantage. Don’t let any room feel like a question mark.
Every space in your home should have a clear purpose, even if it’s small or awkward. That weird nook upstairs? Turn it into a reading corner. The random room off the kitchen? Stage it as a home office. Help buyers see what’s possible.
In Portland, where quirky floorplans and historic layouts are common, showing how every square foot can work is a huge advantage. Don’t let any room feel like a question mark.
Clean Like Your Mother-In-Law Is Coming Over
Yes, it needs to be that clean.
Scrub the baseboards, wipe down the light switches, and give those windows a good shine. A sparkling home signals to buyers that it's been well cared for, and it photographs so much better, too. If deep cleaning isn't your thing (no judgment), hire a pro. It’s worth every penny.
Portland buyers are detail-oriented and tend to walk through with a critical eye. A super clean home gives you a leg up right from the start.
Scrub the baseboards, wipe down the light switches, and give those windows a good shine. A sparkling home signals to buyers that it's been well cared for, and it photographs so much better, too. If deep cleaning isn't your thing (no judgment), hire a pro. It’s worth every penny.
Portland buyers are detail-oriented and tend to walk through with a critical eye. A super clean home gives you a leg up right from the start.
Don’t Forget to Stage for the Camera
Here’s a bonus tip: your real estate photos? They’re your first showing.
Once you’ve nailed staging, be sure your agent brings in a pro photographer. The lighting, the angles, the vibe, it all counts. Online listing photos are what make people click “schedule a showing” or scroll right past. And in a city like Portland, where homes can move fast, those first impressions really matter.
Once you’ve nailed staging, be sure your agent brings in a pro photographer. The lighting, the angles, the vibe, it all counts. Online listing photos are what make people click “schedule a showing” or scroll right past. And in a city like Portland, where homes can move fast, those first impressions really matter.
Selling Soon? Work With the Pros
Staging doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you need advice on what to pack up, where to put the coffee table, or how to make your space feel like a buyer’s dream, Lifestyle Properties has your back.
With deep local expertise and a serious eye for design, they’ll help you turn your Portland home into one that stands out in all the right ways.
With deep local expertise and a serious eye for design, they’ll help you turn your Portland home into one that stands out in all the right ways.
