Staging a home for sale is an essential part of the real estate process. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to potential buyers by highlighting its best features, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and helping buyers visualize themselves living in the space. However, for homeowners who have pets, staging a home can come with additional challenges. Pets bring joy, companionship, and comfort to a home, but they can also leave behind smells, stains, fur, and other marks that might detract from a home’s appeal to buyers.
When staging a home with pets in mind, it’s essential to strike a balance between showing the house’s potential and minimizing pet-related distractions. The key to successfully staging a pet-friendly home is to focus on creating a clean, neutral, and inviting environment that appeals to all potential buyers—whether they have pets or not. In this article, we will explore how to stage a home with pets in mind for potential buyers, covering everything from cleaning and decluttering to creating pet-friendly spaces and showcasing the benefits of pet ownership in a home.
The Importance of Pet-Friendly Staging
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First, let’s understand why pet-friendly staging is so important. Homes with pets are often filled with items like pet beds, food bowls, litter boxes, and toys, which can take up space and sometimes create an overwhelming or cluttered look. Potential buyers, especially those without pets, might not be able to envision themselves in a home that feels overly “pet-centric.”
However, it’s crucial to remember that many buyers—especially younger families, pet owners, or people who plan to adopt pets—will likely appreciate a home that is accommodating to animals. Pet ownership is an increasingly common lifestyle choice, and staging a home in a way that is both functional and pet-friendly can help attract buyers who prioritize pet needs. With the right approach, staging a home with pets in mind can actually highlight the functionality and appeal of a space, rather than hinder it.
Remove Pet-Related Clutter
One of the first steps to staging a pet-friendly home is to remove pet-related clutter. This includes pet beds, food bowls, litter boxes, toys, and grooming tools. While it’s important to make the home feel welcoming, pet-related items can detract from the overall appearance of the home. Here’s how to approach decluttering:
Pet Beds and Blankets
Pet beds and blankets should be removed from common areas during staging. If they’re necessary for your pets’ comfort, move them to less prominent areas, such as a laundry room, or even outside, if possible. This helps avoid the room feeling overcrowded with personal belongings.
Food and Water Bowls
While essential for your pets, food and water bowls can make a space look chaotic and distract from the beauty of your home. Take them away during showings or store them in cabinets out of sight. For pet owners, consider leaving a subtle indication of the space’s pet-friendliness by adding small, tasteful details like an empty water bowl placed near a kitchen counter.
Toys, Scratching Posts, and Litter Boxes
Litter boxes should be cleaned and hidden, ideally in a discreet location. If possible, move scratching posts to less visible areas or remove them altogether during showings. Toys should be put away as well—buyers may have difficulty imagining themselves in the home if it feels cluttered with pet toys. These items can also make it harder for buyers to focus on the space’s aesthetic potential.
Pet-Centric Furniture
If your pets have specific pieces of furniture they use, such as pet couches or special chairs, remove them from living spaces. These pieces can sometimes feel bulky or out of place in a staged room. Instead, opt for neutral furniture that looks clean and inviting.
Deep Clean and Remove Pet Odors
The most important aspect of staging a home with pets is ensuring that it is clean and free from pet odors. Pet smells—whether from urine, fur, or other sources—can be a significant turnoff to potential buyers. Fortunately, there are several ways to effectively clean and neutralize odors:
Thoroughly Clean the Home
Start by giving the entire house a deep clean, including carpets, floors, and upholstery. Pet hair often accumulates in these areas and can be difficult to remove, but using a vacuum with a HEPA filter or a specialized pet hair attachment will help capture fur from carpets, rugs, and furniture.
For wood or tile floors, mop with a pet-safe cleaner to eliminate any grime, dirt, and bacteria. Focus on areas that pets frequent, such as entryways, hallways, and living rooms. Don’t forget to clean baseboards and under furniture, as pet hair can hide in these spaces.
Carpet Cleaning
If the house has carpeting, it may be necessary to hire professional carpet cleaners, especially if your pets have soiled the carpet or left behind persistent odors. Professional carpet cleaning can eliminate stubborn smells and stains, leaving your carpets fresh and clean.
Odor Neutralization
To neutralize pet odors, use odor-eliminating sprays or air purifiers. Products that contain natural ingredients, like baking soda or activated charcoal, can help absorb odors without overwhelming the space with artificial fragrances.
For severe odors that cannot be removed by cleaning, consider using an ozone generator or hiring a professional cleaning service that specializes in pet odor removal. These methods can eliminate lingering smells and leave the house smelling fresh.
Ventilate the Space
Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate throughout the home. This is especially helpful after deep cleaning, as fresh air can help neutralize odors and make the space feel lighter and more inviting.
Showcase Pet-Friendly Spaces
Once the home is cleaned and clutter-free, it’s time to think about how to showcase pet-friendly features in your staging. Many buyers will appreciate spaces that cater to their pets’ needs, and highlighting these features can make the home feel more appealing to pet owners.
Create Pet Zones
If your home has a dedicated pet area—such as a mudroom, a dog run, or a fenced backyard—make sure to highlight it during the staging process. Stage this space with pet-friendly accessories, such as a cozy dog bed or a leash rack. Show potential buyers that the home is well-suited to accommodate pets by creating functional areas that cater to their needs.
Highlight the Yard or Garden
For homes with outdoor space, highlight areas that are pet-friendly, such as a fenced backyard or a garden. Clean the yard by removing any pet waste or debris, and consider adding some greenery or flowers to enhance the overall appearance. If you have a dog, place toys or a leash nearby to indicate that this space is ideal for outdoor activities.
Set Up Pet-Friendly Furniture
While you don’t want to overwhelm the space with pet-related items, consider incorporating furniture that is functional and pet-friendly. For example, a stylish rug or pet-friendly couch can showcase how the home can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing for pet owners.
Maintain a Neutral Aesthetic
While it’s important to show that a home can accommodate pets, it’s equally essential to maintain a neutral aesthetic. When staging a home for potential buyers, avoid personalizing the space too much with pet-themed décor. The goal is to create an environment where buyers can imagine themselves, whether or not they have pets. Here are some ways to maintain neutrality:
Neutral Colors and Minimal Décor
Use neutral colors in your décor—think whites, grays, and beiges—so the space feels clean and calm. Avoid bold or vibrant pet-themed decorations, such as dog figurines or pet portraits, that might distract from the home’s other features. Instead, stick to subtle, neutral accents that highlight the home’s potential.
Keep Pet Items Subtle
While pet accessories like leashes, toys, and bowls are essential for pets, make sure these items are not on display during showings. If you need to include them, keep them hidden away, or use stylish storage solutions that don’t detract from the room’s overall appeal.
Avoid Over-Personalizing
Personal pet items such as pet photos or memorabilia should be packed away before showings. You want buyers to be able to envision the home as their own, not as a place that belongs to someone else’s pet. Overly personalized spaces can make it difficult for potential buyers to see themselves in the home.
Consider Pet-Friendly Marketing
If you’re selling a home with pets, it’s essential to market the space as pet-friendly to attract the right buyers. Pet owners often seek homes that are both functional and accommodating for their pets, so highlighting this in your listing can be a major selling point. Here’s how to do it:
Feature Pet-Friendly Details in the Listing
Include features like large fenced yards, pet-friendly flooring (e.g., hardwood, tile, or laminate), or nearby parks in the listing description. If your home has any unique pet-friendly features, like a dog wash station or a pet nook, be sure to mention it.
Professional Pet Photography
If your pets are well-behaved, consider including them in the listing photos, especially in outdoor spaces like a backyard or garden. This can give potential buyers a clear idea of how the space works for pets, making the home feel even more inviting.
Social Media and Pet-Related Marketing
If you’re marketing the property on social media, consider sharing photos or videos that showcase the pet-friendly features of the home. You could even share tips for pet owners on how to care for their pets in a new space, further emphasizing the home’s appeal.
Conclusion
Staging a home with pets in mind is all about finding the balance between showcasing the space’s potential and minimizing pet-related distractions. By decluttering, deep cleaning, and highlighting pet-friendly features, you can help potential buyers envision themselves living in a home that accommodates both their needs and those of their pets. A well-staged pet-friendly home not only attracts buyers who own pets but also shows that the home can be functional, comfortable, and versatile for a variety of lifestyles.
Ultimately, staging a home with pets in mind isn’t just about removing pet-related clutter; it’s about highlighting the home’s best features while keeping it clean, neutral, and inviting. By following these steps, you can successfully stage a home that appeals to all buyers, whether they have pets or not.