Selling our home. After painting the interior of the house, should we rehang artwork?

Question

We are in the process of selling our house. We are painting the entire interior of our house...a neutral color, of course. My question is, after painting, should I rehang artwork...thus leaving holes in the walls? Not personal photos, but, artwork. It looks very bland and the walls look empty without anything on them. Thanks for the advice.

Kimberly Barney · Answer

The artwork will make the home more homey. However, would appreciate having a me with no holes in the wall. I appreciated that the walls in my current home had been recently painted and nothing was put on the walls as the person moved out of the house. If you can hang light weight art that can be hung with the 3M Contact system or the new nail system that has been on television that leaves only a small hole--good for apartments or dorms is what the ad says, that would be best..

Bev · Answer

Good idea.  Thanks for the advice.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Kimberly is correct. A staged home will make people feel better about what the house would look like furnished. However be sure NOT to put photos of family or personal things on the wall. Only generic type photos should be used. People when looking at a home want to picture themselves in the room, not look at your vacation or family photos. Also keep clutter down as much as possible. Do not go overboard filling the rooms with stuff. less is better when staging. Check out virtually staging properties one of the members here on Home Talk. They can offer all sorts of great ideas on how to do this.

Bev · Answer

Thanks. We are just starting the moving process. Getting our house ready to sell and finding a house to buy. I appreciate all the great input. I wish I had found this website sooner!!

3po3 · Answer

Woodbridge beat me to it, but I was going to suggest checking out Virtually Staging. Here is her link: http://www.hometalk.com/r9nmpfmae7

KMS Woodworks · Answer

One thing to keep in mind is that a new homeowner will most likely have their own art to hang...and will most likely hang it in the same locations. So the whole hole in the wall issue is not really that bad.

3po3 · Answer

KMS makes a great point. As long as they are not too big or blatant, holes shouldn't be a big problem. I have reused holes left by previous owners.

Peace Painting Co., Inc. · Answer

Since you will have just finished painting the walls you will have fresh touch-up paint leftover. In a few minuets with a little spackle it will be just like it never happened.

Christine at First Home Love Life · Answer

As long as your artwork isn't religious or dated I say go for it. It might even be smart to go to your local Homegoods or TJMAXX and find some large generic designer prints to hang instead. You want to 'stage' your home so potential buyers can envision themselves living there. Good luck!

Designs by BSB · Answer

i painted and staged this year... house sold in 3 wks. put minimal artwork up.. tried to lean pictures where I could rather than make holes. LESS is more when staging. Just enough to make it not empty... yet let the next homeowner imagine THEIR art.. photos, etc. start packing most now.. your house will sell faster :)

Gail Salminen · Answer

The aspect of what to hang and what not to is important. Family photos are not recommended as mentioned previously. If you are hanging art work, have some extra paint for the rooms - and label the cans as to which room they are for. Then when the new owners want to fix it, they will not have difficulty doing so.

Jeanette S · Answer

It might be a good idea to get a large basket and put in a can of left over paint and a small container of spackling for the new owner's use. Be sure and write down the manufacturer of the paint you used, the color name and the type...gloss/semi/satin/flat. Even add a small sanding block and small paint brush. Leave them a 'WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME' sign. Either leave this with the realtor or in a closet.

Virtually Staging Properties, Inc · Answer

You are definately on the right track when it comes to getting a home in more marketable condition to sell. Neutralizing a home is best and to keep that warm and inviting environment it would be wise to rehang some of your wall hangings. Keep it simple and place artwork in places that will create a focal point in a room. A mirror at your entry or above the fireplace propped on the mantel or a calming art piece above the bed in the master bedroom. Artwork is the perfect touch to bring color back into the room and will add 'wow' factor to your pictures of your home online where 90% of home buyers are searching for their next home and you want to stand out against the competition!

Bev · Answer

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions....everyone seems to be on the same page. I did go Virtually Staging Properties....a lot more info I needed besides just the hanging artwork question I orignially had. I have to go rent a storage unit now!! LOL

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

I would suggest instead of a storage rental unit, That you look into one of those PODs or some other form of transportable storage units. Once packed when your ready they will store and transport it to your new home, saving you all that time and extra cash in moving and packing once again.

Bev · Answer

You guys are full of good advice. I'm so thankful I found this website. Great idea on the pod.

Jeanette S · Answer

I had a friend use PODS when her furniture arrived early from FL and her GA house was not ready. They sat in the front yard for a month, but it was easlier and cheaper than having to hire a truck and a few guys to move it from a storage unit...the 2 pods were emptied and furniture and boxes put in place within a couple of hours!

Tina Hill · Answer

A staged home gives off a livable vibe and can provide buyers with perspective on sizes of furnishings and arrangements of furnishings .... we had been in search of our soon to be first home for quite a long while ( more than 3 years) and now i can envision into empty space but originally , looking at a staged home really helped us out .

Selling our home. After painting the interior of the house, should we rehang artwork?

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