DIY kitchen staging ideas that will WOW buyers

The kitchen is one of the spaces that buyers tend to remember most. They may forget the size of the third bedroom or whether or not there's a closet in the front foyer, but the impressions buyers form of your kitchen will linger on.

That's why, when you are selling your home, staging the kitchen to look its best is so important. Here are some tips:

• Remove cookware, small appliances (like the magic bullet and the toaster) and any other items from your counterop. Buyers like to see lots of surface space and it makes your available space look bigger.
• Consider doing a few minor improvements, such as replacing old cabinet hardware or a stained and scratched kitchen sink.
• Freshen up the cabinetry. For worn wood cabinetry, there are many specialty staining and finishing products available, which can be applied directly onto the old finish. Your cabinets will look almost new.
• If the kitchen space seems tight, experiment with reorganizing or removing furniture. For example, try having four chairs around the breakfast table instead of six.
• As much as possible, make sure everything in the kitchen is clean and shiny. Pay special attention to the storage space under the sink. This is the cabinet door most often opened by buyers.
• If your kitchen mats are worn, replace them. This is a relatively minor expense that can have a big IMPACT.
• When a viewing is scheduled, turn on the lights and open window curtains or blinds. You want your kitchen to look bright (but not blinding, if your windows face south).

These are all relatively simple improvements, yet each can make an enormous difference in how your kitchen looks to buyers. If your kitchen looks great - buyers will remember it.