For some people, seeing a blank canvas is exciting. There are so many creative opportunities to take, and the possibilities are endless. When real estate agents and homeowners show houses, they typically want to make it look as homey and inviting as possible. When you leave a house bare, there’s no opportunity to show all its capabilities and possibilities. That’s where home staging comes in.

Home staging is the art of preparing a private residence for sale by maximizing its appeal. This is above and beyond making a house look clean and tidy. If you want to sell your home quickly and for the most value, staging your home might be your best bet.

Follow these tips for how to stage your home for sale.

1. Know Your Audience

First off, identifying your target audience is one of the most important aspects of selling your home. If you want to sell your home, you need to get inside the minds of potential buyers. What are the main reasons someone might buy your home in particular? Is it the neighborhood? The area of town? The size of the house? The amenities?

After identifying the possible motivations of someone interested in your home, you can use this buyer persona to aptly stage your home.

2. Focus on the Significant

Focusing on the most significant components of the home will save you time and money during your staging process. Not all rooms in your house are equal. Focus on your kitchen, living room and master bedroom first. According to the National Association of Realtors, these are the most influential rooms of the house and where people send the most time.

3. Create Unity

Home staging is all about perception, so make sure your house has coherence. Don’t try to do too many things at once. You might be tempted to try a bunch of new styles in different rooms to make them stand out. However, an important part of staging is to help with cohesion throughout the house. You’re not trying to impress with each room—you’re trying to impress with the house as a whole.

4. Have a Purpose

Use your furniture and décor to accentuate rooms’ specific purposes. Don’t try to make certain rooms do more than they’re supposed to do. You can declutter while giving your area more breathing room by removing unnecessary elements or furniture. The way you arrange your furniture in said room can also emphasize your specific purpose.

5. Appeal to Senses

You’ll want to make your home as inviting as possible. An easy way to capture a welcoming atmosphere is by appealing to the senses. If you have a fireplace, simply lighting it can stimulate touch, sight, smell and hearing. Optimizing natural and artificial light and displaying different textures of furniture and throws, can help capture a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Consider the five senses when checking off your home-staging list.

6. Showcase your Exterior

You may think that the exterior of your house isn’t as important as your interior, but your neighborhood would probably disagree. Having a clean lawn and clear driveway are easy steps to take. If you want to go the extra mile, you can modernize outdoor hardware like door handles, light fixtures, house numbers and mailboxes. The little things matter. First impressions are key, and the exterior of your house will be the first thing buyers see.

The goal of staging a house is trying to help buyers visualize themselves living in it. In order to have a successful staging, be sure to follow these steps and stick to a plan.