How should I stage extra bedrooms in my home?

Key insights

• As they make home staging decisions about their bedrooms, sellers should consider how their home stacks up to neighboring properties
• The location and size of spare bedrooms can help homeowners determine how to stage the properties and appeal to most buyers; lifestyle considerations are key
• Real estate agents, who stage homes every day for their clients, can provide helpful insights on how to stage extra spaces or bedrooms

When selling your home, it pays off to stage your property so it reflects the dream home of most buyers. But homeowners who have extra bedrooms may wonder if they should showcase these extra spaces as a home office, nursery, craft room or other room type.

While there’s no hard-and-fast rule about how to stage extra bedrooms, here are insights you can use as you determine how to present these rooms when listing your home for sale.

1. Consider the average local buyer’s lifestyle

First, talk with your REALTOR^® to understand what local buyers are looking for, and how your home may match or exceed their needs.

If you live in a neighborhood of starter homes that typically boast three bedrooms, but your refinished basement means you have five full bedrooms, you may want to stage one of the downstairs rooms as a home office or a children’s play room. It could help buyers understand that your home is bigger than what they need, but the extra space would be well-used (and much appreciated) over time.

If, however, your home has four bedrooms and you reside in a neighborhood where three to four bedrooms are the norm, it’s safer to stage each bedroom as an individual living space.

2. Consider the location of the room

Often, the decision about how to stage an extra room can come down to its location in the home. A main floor bedroom that’s right off the shared living space can be a stellar location for a play room or home office.

If, however, the room is in the basement and there's a large en-suite bathroom, it may be odd to stage it as a kids’ toy room or office.

Consider that growing young families may appreciate a home with three or more bedrooms on one level to keep the kiddos close by for nighttime needs.

Last, anyone who watches HGTV will know that a refinished attic space is a great "bonus room.” If this space isn’t a natural master suite, don't be afraid to outfit it as a teen hangout, large playroom or a video gamer’s paradise.

3. Consider the size

Because staging is the act of appealing to the most buyers, you may find that you’ll make the best decisions about staging extra bedrooms if you simply consider how to play up the size of a room in relation to its location.

An upstairs bedroom that’s too small for a full-sized bed can make for an excellent staged kid’s room or nursery; children’s beds will of course take up less space. A small room off the master bedroom can make a perfect nursery or an amazing walk-in closet for buyers who are hoping for luxurious accommodations.

However, if your smallest extra bedroom is in the basement, then it would make more sense to appoint it as a quaint, but functional home office.

And if your spare bedroom is large enough that a simple office setup leaves the room looking bare, you may want to consider staging the room as a dual-purpose area. Add a full-sized bed in addition to a desk and bookshelf or consider a futon or pull-out couch. This part-time guest setup would work even better if there is a nearby bathroom. Just be careful to make sure the room has a clear purpose and doesn’t appear as a catch-all. You don’t want to leave potential buyers scratching their heads.  

Still not sure how to stage an extra bedroom?

If you are struggling to understand the best functionality for your rooms, a local real estate expert may have the perfect solution after a quick tour of your home.

Edina Realty has more than 2,400 Realtors across every neighborhood in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Reach out now for a no-pressure evaluation of your home. Our agents are here to help, not pester.

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