Even in a temperate climate, selling your home in the winter can be challenging. It’s harder to rely on stand-out features like the excitement of an outdoor patio or the breezy feeling of a summer wind coming through the windows. However, the popularity of cozy staging has actually boosted the appeal of many homes in the middle of the winter, according to excellent real estate agents around the country.

What Is Cozy Hygge Staging?

Hygge is a Danish concept that focuses on comfort, coziness, and ease during the darker, colder months of the year. It’s a way to feel joy and peace during a time that can make people feel a bit down, and as a result, it has taken off around the world as a decor style. Warm neutral tones, natural fibers and wood, and accents like candles and textiles are all part of the ambiance that makes you feel like settling down on a soft sofa, covered in a warm blanket, with a hot mug of tea and a good book.

If you ask your Nashville realtor, they'll tell you that winter is typically a cold selling season. Even in warmer areas like Nashville, people hunker down a bit in the winter, and staging a home for sale to feel cozy can be a major way to help buyers identify with it. A buyer who sees all the features they want but doesn’t strongly identify with the home may still hesitate to make an offer. On the other hand, an emotional connection can help a buyer persist even if the price is a little high for them.

How to Stage With Hygge in Mind

So how exactly do you stage with hygge in mind? First and foremost, you can usually add hygge touches to any home, but reducing clutter and removing personal touches, like family photographs, is probably a good first staging step. Then, add ‘back’ things that make someone feel really at home, including:

• Light candles or bake bread to create a comforting scent.
• Choose warm yellow or golden light over bright fluorescent or white bulbs.
• Add thick comforters and blankets decoratively to chairs, couches, and beds.
• Take advantage of lots of natural light.
• Accent furniture with soft, cozy pillows in neutral tones.
• If you have a fireplace, light a fire when showings happen.
• Cover bare floors with plush rugs that feel good on one’s feet.

The key is always to make a space more soft, warm, and comfortable like your home is giving the potential buyer a big hug. At the same time, you don’t have to spend a ton of money: in many cases, you can work with a staging company or find what you need at resale stores.

Getting Started

While you can absolutely decide that cozy staging is right for you on your own, if you select and hire a great real estate agent, they will have additional insight into getting the most value out of your cozy staging. Let them know the vision you’re thinking about, and they can help you decide what features of the staging will bring more buyer interest and which are OK to skip.