Remove and redistribute furniture

Photo by Elizabeth Herrmann architecture + design 

Amy Bell, owner of Red Chair Home Interiors in Cary, NC, urges homeowners to evaluate whether any furniture can be "voted off the island"—i.e., out of the room.

"I recently staged a home in which the living room contained enough furniture for two rooms," she notes. But, as part of the staging process, she shuffled the items and placed the contents in two different places. As a result, the home sold in one day.

Once you've removed some of the furniture, consider making an arrangement that allows people to sit and chat.

"This often means pulling furniture away from walls, which also allows for circulation," says Gale Sitomer of G Sitomer Design in New York City. And if you have a larger living room, don't be afraid to create several separate seating areas, which can be defined by different area rugs.

Create a focal point

Usually the mantel, if you have one, is the first place the eye comes to rest, so make sure your home staging packs a punch here, suggest real estate agents Jonathan Rosen and Christy Berry, co-founders of The Rosen Berry Group in Dallas.

Declutter this spot by taking down wedding photos, your porcelain bird collection, and other items so it looks like a clean line. Add back a single pretty vase, a fun piece of art, or an interesting sculpture. However, if the focal point is a gorgeous garden or backyard pool, create clear views of it through the living room.

Be neutral

We're talking about colors, says Sitomer. "Stick with a neutral tone to appeal to a larger variety of potential buyers," she notes. And if you have bold or patterned furniture, consider white slipcovers.

"Lighter, more neutral rugs are better than oriental or brightly colored ones, which don’t photograph well and make rooms look dated," says Lisa Gulliver, a Showhomes franchise co-owner.

The same goes for your couch, she adds. "A dark sofa against big, bright windows can be blinding, but shades of gray or khaki can help eyes adjust more quickly so the buyer can take in the room and exterior views."

Accessorize with flair

The finishing touches count for a lot when it comes to staging the living room. Put a soft cashmere throw over a corner chair to evoke a quiet place for reading, says Katie McCann, an organizing expert with Maeve's Method.

A small vase of fresh flowers adds beauty and perhaps a soft scent (watch out for overly strong candles).

Jack Menashe, owner of the New York–based Menashe Group, likes accessories that bring the space to life, including large coffee-table books, sculptural art, and accent pillows.