Why stage your guest room? A staged bedroom helps emphasize the size of the home and the number of bedrooms, not to mention giving the impression of an entire residence. Also, a clean bedroom looks much better than a messy spare room. Since proper home staging can lead to a faster sale and higher sales price, the time and money you spend on this can earn you significant profits.

1. Dig into the pile

If you have a spare room in the house you plan to sell, you may have something you can use to organize it. Is it a lamp hidden under all those old suitcases and the clothes you can’t bear to throw away? Drag it out and see if you can’t do something with it. If you have an old set of drawers waiting for a visit from your local Salvation Army, ask them to wait and see if they can use it to complete the illusion of a guest bedroom. The same goes for any old beds, paint, etc. that you can temporarily reuse from your belongings.

2. Borrow

You probably know someone, family member or friend, who has an extra bed, furniture, or tasteful art that they can temporarily place in the room to create the illusion of a happy bedroom. Many people will happily give you discarded furniture in exchange for taking it to the local thrift store at the time of your home sale. However, if the item is to be returned, make sure it is returned clean and in the same (or better!) shape as when you first borrowed it.

3. Freecycle, Craigslist, and Thrift Stores

Freecycle.org is a non-profit organization started with the purpose of allowing people to dispose of unwanted items without sending them to a landfill. There are groups all over the world. Craigslist and other listing sites are another alternative. Many people are just trying to get rid of their stuff, hopefully for a few dollars. Much of this is perfect for staging purposes. Thrift stores are another inexpensive option.

4. Redecorate

A coat of paint or an inexpensive slipcover can make dirty walls and old furniture look much more attractive. Choose a bright, airy color for the walls, perhaps white, blue, or pale yellow. Furniture can be given a quick coat of paint that may match the room’s trim or complement the color of the walls. Make sure your throws, rugs, and curtains are a solid neutral color, which will pull the room together without distracting the eye.

5. Reuse

It’s the bedroom look you’re after, not necessarily the actual item. This means that your coffee table could actually be a box covered in a cool looking tablecloth. You might be surprised at how well a throw or blanket can help disguise any dents, tears, or scratches in your furniture. Your bed doesn’t have to be a real mattress; air mattresses tucked under some artwork with a down comforter and fluffy pillows are all the bed you need.