Last Updated on May 22, 2024 by Vannessa Rhoades, Three Bears Home Staging
Bigger pantries have become increasingly popular with home buyers in recent years. During the pandemic, many people began cooking at home more regularly. An increasing number of people are working remotely and spending more time eating at home. This shift has many homeowners re-examining the storage and organization space in their kitchens. For many home buyers, a large, well-organized pantry is seen no longer seen only as a nice amenity; it’s essential.
Fortunately, a little “just right” staging can help even a small pantry look more spacious and organized! Take a look at these four smart easy ways to make your pantry look bigger for potential home buyers.
Empty as much as possible.
Potential buyers will be looking inside your pantry. If it’s overly crowded, that gives the impression that there isn’t enough storage space in your kitchen. Start purging what you can and avoid making any runs to your local wholesale club.
Remove everything from the floor.
This one simple tip can instantly make your pantry look more spacious. Put anything that needs to stay in the pantry on a shelf, and relocate everything else.
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Use matching containers.
Lots of brightly colored boxes are great for attracting attention on store shelves…not so great for staging a pantry. The extra visual clutter tends to make this already small space feel even more chaotic and cramped. Transfer dry goods into matching air-tight containers when possible to visually streamline this area and help it look more organized and spacious.
Airtight Food Storage Containers
Cleanliness and Odors Matter…a Lot
Remove all recycling, garbage, and pet-related items from the pantry before showing your home. Remove any other items that may be particularly pungent (based on my own experiences with clients, strong spices or boxes of mothballs are a few of the worst offenders). Sweep and mop thoroughly.
Wipe down the shelves and door. Try using a Magic Eraser to remove any scuffs and scrapes. If that doesn’t work, consider a fresh coat of paint. We recommend something light and neutral or a nice, clean white, like Sherwin-Williams Pure White 7005.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, 10-Count
How We Can Help You Stage to Sell
A staged kitchen is not the same as a lived-in kitchen. It’s usually not convenient, and it’s rarely practical for day-to-day use. But when it’s done well, it can help make your kitchen more appealing to buyers and help it sell more quickly and profitably. Prepping for a great first impression from the get-go is better than endless open houses. Need a hand getting started? Take a look below at some of the ways we can help:
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Vannessa Rhoades
Vannessa Rhoades is the author of Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging and the founder of the award-winning firm, Three Bears Home Staging®. She specializes in providing positive, empowering virtual consultations that help homeowners and real estate agents all across the country sell more quickly and for more money.
