7 DIY Home Staging Tips That Won’t Break The Bank

Main WP • May 29, 2020

When it comes time to sell your house, staging it so that it looks as inviting as possible really helps with the sale. Research shows that well-staged homes tend to sell faster and for a 10-15% higher price than un-staged homes . If hiring a professional home stager isn’t in your budget, there are still a number of simple things you can do to make your home look its best. Crystal Morrison, Site Manager at Apple Self Storage in Kingston, has some do-it-yourself staging tips for homeowners looking to sell.

These days, almost everyone has too much stuff in their house,” says Crystal. “Renting a self storage unit is the quickest and easiest way to declutter and make your home look as spacious as possible . Putting all your excess items into storage, along with a good coat of fresh paint on all your walls, are two of the most important things you can do to make your home more appealing to buyers.”    

Try these 7 simple home staging tips:  

1. Clear Out The Clutter

Start by packing up and removing all the excess furniture and clutter from your living spaces. Storage is a big selling point with buyers. They’ll check out cupboards and closets to see how much space you’ve got, so e mpty out at least 50% of what’s there. Rent a storage unit to store all your excess furniture, clothing and items until after the sale.

2. Be Sure To Paint

There’s nothing like a coat of fresh paint to make your home look fresh, clean, and well-cared for. Choose a neutral colour and apply it consistently throughout.

3. Give Every Room A Purpose

When staging your home, you want every room to have its own distinct purpose, such as a bedroom, office, dining room, or exercise area. Remove items that don’t belong, such as a filing cabinet in a bedroom or exercise equipment in the family room , and put them into your storage unit.

4. Remove Personal Items

Stage your home so that it looks as neutral as a hotel room. Remove personal items such as family photographs, hobbies, personal collections or memorabilia. This will help potential buyers imagine the place as their own.  

5. Do The Drive-By Test

First impressions count, so don’t forget about the outside of your home as well. Tidy up the exterior so that prospective buyers who drive by will want to come inside. Stage the outside of your home by touching up all painted surfaces, cleaning porches and patios, tidying up lawns and flower beds, and storing away all out-of-season items.

6. Deep Clean Every Room

Do a thorough deep cleaning of every room in the house. Clean off kitchen counters, scrub your appliances, steam clean carpets, and make your bathrooms sparkle. Ensure there are no strong smells or telltale odours of pets.

7. See What Your Friends Think

Once you’ve finished staging your home, ask a few friends or family members to do a walkthrough and look at your home as a potential buyer. A fresh set of eyes may spot things you didn’t notice.  

 

More Moving And Home Staging Tips:

 


Apple Self Storage has 34 storage facilities across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Our facility managers provide friendly, personalized advice to help you pick the right storage solution. Our flexible plans offer the perfect solution for personal, student and business needs. At Apple Self Storage you can be sure satisfaction is always 100% guaranteed. For more information click here to contact us or call 1-866-417-1005 to find your storage solution today.  

By Erik Sherman July 21, 2026
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By Erik Sherman July 21, 2026
Anyone who has rushed to move out of an apartment or scrambled to clear room before a renovation knows how stressful that can be, and how much it matters when a business has your back. At Apple Self Storage on Stevenson Street in Guelph , the help is the whole point. We put our customers’ needs first. But don’t take our word for it. This is what our real customers are saying: A Welcome That Sets the Tone Walk into a lot of storage facilities and you'll get a clipboard and a shrug. That's not how it goes here. The team, especially Ross, has a habit of treating new renters like guests in a welcoming home. "I had a welcoming experience here. Ross was friendly, answered all my questions, and made the process as seamless as possible. Also, big ups for the student discount. Highly recommend! " — Esther O. Renting a unit usually comes with a dozen small questions: How does access work? What size do I actually need? What happens if my plans change? 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We want you to feel confident in your rental. You shouldn't need to call the office every time you want to grab something out of your unit. When someone takes a few extra minutes to show you how the lock works and how to get in and out on your own, you walk away confident, not confused. Clean, Modern, and Built for Easy Loading A welcoming staff matters, but so does the building. The Guelph facility is a modern, well-kept space, and the details show up the moment you start moving boxes. "Clean and modern self storage. Lots of parking, two big loading bays that allow you to pull in and load and unload in comfort. Even a hydraulic lift plate! Kind and friendly staff that keep the place spotless. Any issues are dealt with promptly. Probably the best self-storage in Guelph, in a super-convenient location. Top marks!" — Brad C. 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It happens because the people running the Guelph facility care, truly care, about our tenants. That's the difference. Stop By or Reserve Your Unit If you need storage in Guelph, come see why customers keep recommending the team by name. Apple Self Storage – Guelph 110 Stevenson St S, Guelph, ON N1E 5N4 Phone: (226) 794-5298 Email: store1061@applestorage.com Access Hours: Daily, 6:00 am – 10:00 pm Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Sat 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sun & Holidays closed Ask about the student discount, and let Ross and the team make your next move a simple one.