Home staging, which recreates the look of a model home, has been shown to improve sales – both in speed and price, but sometimes the thought of staging your entire home as you try to live there as well can be a bit daunting.

At least stage the biggest room.

Your living room might have a big TV and be comfortable. In addition to a thorough cleaning, put away the clutter and family mementos, and only leave out one remote. Set out snack and drinks before they arrive. Adjust the lighting as you would if you were getting ready to watch a movie or a big game. Keep it brightly lit. The buyer will keep this image in their minds.

You may have put together a dream kitchen. Do a good decluttering and cleaning. Make it look as if you were going to cook for a lot of people, but did not make a mess. Put some vegetables on a cutting board, flowers on the counter, and it will bring your kitchen to life.

Do you want to focus on the dining room? Then set the table with your good dishes and put that nice arrangement of fresh flowers on the table.

Maybe you’ve got a fantasy bathroom with a spa tub or multi-jet shower. Set it up as if you are about to hop in for a soak. A few candles, maybe some flowers, a really nice towel and maybe a book or a glass and bottle of wine by the side of tub can show the room’s potential for relaxation.

Your kid might have an awesome room. Play that up. Clean the room, but then set out some toys or electronics that complement the room’s theme.

Maybe outdoor living is one of your home’s biggest assets. You can add life to a pool with some floating toys, or put a cooler of drinks on the patio.

Once you start staging your home with one room, you may find the process is enjoyable and decide you want to do the whole house, or it could be something you build on as you discover what each room needs to bring it to life. Maybe this week the living room, next time two rooms and soon the whole house.

Learn the secrets of hot penny stocks and options trading.