Often referred to as the Avocado Generation, millennials – those born between 1981 and 1996 – are on the lookout for their future homes, meaning this is the prime time to update your home if you’re thinking about selling. While many of them like to travel, vlog, lead a nomadic lifestyle and have mixed opinions about the traditional approach to life, the majority of them (around 80%) still want to settle and have a house of their own. Because most millennial buyers have a distinct taste and look for a home that is modern and well-thought-out, you need to make sure you do everything you can in order to appeal to this major group of home buyers. Let’s take a look at some home staging tips that will help bring your property up to date and play into the prospective buyers’ expectations.
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Living room for relaxing and entertaining
Having a place where they can spend their free time relaxing and unwinding from work is important for millennials, and that is why special attention needs to be given to this room for leisure. Clutter is a major no-no for millennial buyers, so be sure to go through your things and remove anything that feels unnecessary or doesn’t really have a function. Equip your living room with streamlined furnishings, use a rug and a coffee table to create a conversation area, and paint the walls in neutral colors to appeal to most buyers. Less is more to them, so you want to adopt a minimalist approach to decorating as well. Use colors sparingly, and use them to accentuate your sofa or walls by adding throw pillows, blankets, and artwork to make the room pop.
Kitchen as the heart of the home
If there’s one room in your home you need to stage, it’s definitely the kitchen. Kitchens often serve as a central spot for gathering, so you want to keep yours open, spacious, and modern. Millennials want their kitchens to be functional, but also want them to be places where they can entertain their guests and whip up delicious meals with ease. A kitchen island is bound to impress prospective home buyers, while a bar with stools will amaze any millennial. As for the appliances, millennials tend to be very eco-conscious and strive towards sustainable living, so it pays to invest in green appliances.
A bathroom as a spa-like haven
Aside from kitchens, bathrooms are another segment of your house that can either make it or break it. Realtors often say that these two rooms are what sells the house, which is why many homeowners decide to invest in them and make upgrades that will wow the prospective buyers. Millennial homebuyers often look for bathrooms with a spa-like vibe, which is easily done with a few modern touches. An under mount bathroom sink is sure to look fresh and modern while a countertop basin will give off a sophisticated vibe. Liquid soaps in fancy dispensers and soft, plush towels will create a hotel room feel, while soft, neutral hues and a couple of candles will only enhance the salon-like appeal you’re going for.
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Bedroom as a blissful sanctuary
As for the bedrooms, strive for comfort. Implement furnishings that are simple in design and keep the colors light and easy on the eye. Pastel or plain white walls will make a small bedroom look brighter and spacious and at the same time calming and pleasant. Organic bedding will appeal to eco-conscious millennial buyers, while a couple of throw pillows and a blanket will result in a layered look and enhance the visual interest of the room. Matching table lamps or pendant lights at each side of the bed will bring balance into the room, and when paired with overhead lighting, they’ll create a pleasant ambiance.
Home office as a practical addition
Many home buyers work from home or have a business they run, which is why it makes sense to incorporate a small office into your home design. With a couple of practical additions, your spare room can be transformed from an unused space into a functional and cozy home office. Add a desk and stage it using a laptop, a couple of books, stationery, and a houseplant. Bring in a comfy chair, add a shelf for storage, and top things off with an LED table lamp and a cozy rug. This will help tip the scales in your favor and amaze many millennial homebuyers.
Home staging is no easy task – you want to play to the interest of a wide range of home buyers yet avoid putting a strain on your budget, and when your audience is as unique as millennials, you need to be mindful of the choices you make. Think like a buyer, make a couple of tweaks around the house to modernize it, and dazzle them with eco-friendly, energy-efficient furnishings and appliances. With these five tips in mind, you’re sure to appeal to the millennial aesthetic and attract great offers from this up and coming generation of home buyers.
This article has been contributed by Derek Lotts.