Staging a home for sale is like preparing your home for receiving company on a special occasion. All stops should be pulled out to ensure a warm and winning reception. Realize that the goal is to sell the home for the highest price to allow you to move on to your next dream. The house must place its best foot forward to appeal to buyers, especially in today's soft market.

Contrary to most television design shows, I do not advocate that the home be painted white and cream, unless it's an empty home. Neutral schemes do not appeal to everyone. The main point is to make sure that all extreme colors are softened or removed, and that the decor color is complementary.

Don't be tied down to the way you are accustomed to seeing things in the home. Change is good. Move the furniture around to where it visually looks best, even if that means using your dining room sideboard as a dresser in the master bedroom. Create comfortable seating vignettes, and don't be afraid to float some furniture away from the walls to give the area some breathing room. Edit and re-hang artwork for impact.

Say bye-bye to clutter. Remove all unnecessary items from tabletops and cupboards. It's not necessary to remove all framed photos, but make sure it doesn't look like a shrine to your Aunt Irma. By eliminating all nonessential items, the room will feel more updated and allow potential buyers to imagine living in the home.

Lighting is crucial when showing a home. Assess how the light comes into the home, and if needed, add a few new lamps. A bright room always gives a good and lasting impression.

We all have rooms that tend to collect and gather everything that is not used from day to day. Rather than calling that room a storage room, give that room a purpose. Converting it back to a guest bedroom or an office gives the house an additional amenity and "visual" square feet.

Clean, clean, clean. The home must be spotless. Even the most architecturally significant home will be overlooked if there is an impression that it is dirty or unkempt. This means that everything from dusty window blinds to scuffed baseboards must be cleaned.

Kitchens should also be free of clutter. This means stowing away the toaster and the pressure cooker. Clean out the cupboards, and organize essential dishes and glasses. Organize the pantry, and throw out those half-empty bags of food.

Bathrooms look their best when tidy. Toilets, showers and sinks must be scrubbed and dried. Make sure to clear countertops of products and prescriptions. A stack of fresh white towels and some new soap bars are always appealing props.

If you have pets, make sure their areas are clean and odor free. Pet food, snacks, toys and leashes should be stored in containers or baskets. Take Fido out for a walk while your home is being shown — not everyone is an animal lover.

One last note: Skip the fresh-baked cookies. The smell is overrated, and the only thing you will accomplish is heating up your kitchen!

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: at Unsplash