When you’re getting ready to sell your home, staging can highlight the best parts of your house, from the kitchen to the bedroom. However, one area that often gets overlooked in the staging process is your garage. If you’re getting ready to sell your home, use these tips to help this space look clean and well-organized.

Declutter

Just like the rest of your home, decluttering your garage should be the first step in staging the room. However, the garage typically is a catchall area for everything from sporting equipment to holiday decorations, so it may take some additional time to go through everything properly.

Start the decluttering process by separating items into categories and planning where each group will be stored. If there are any items you no longer want, either donate them or throw them out. Or, if you have time and enough things, plan a yard sale to clear out the garage and make some extra money while you’re at it. Use this guide to plan a successful yard sale.

You might want to consider moving your vehicles to the street before a showing or an open house. Clearing out the garage helps give it an open and spacious appearance, which offers potential homebuyers a chance to imagine how they’d use the space.

Add storage

A study by the National Association of Home Builders found that 85 percent of homebuyers listed garage storage as a desirable or must-have feature in a home. If you can, maximize the space in your garage by adding some storage options to remove items from the floor. Hanging wall storage can help create additional space on the floor of your garage; however, make sure any shelving or hooks you install can adequately hold the weight of the items you’re storing. If you have your garage partially set up as a workshop, consider installing a pegboard to keep tools off the floor and in view, where they are more easily accessible.

Clean the floors

The floor of your garage can take a beating, so make sure to give it a refresh before selling your home. Start by sweeping out any dirt and cobwebs, and power wash the floor to remove any built-up grime—you may want to take some time and power wash the exterior of the garage while doing this. If your garage has an oil stain, you can remove it by following these steps:

1. Sweep away any dirt or dust from the area.
2. Soak the oil stain with paint thinner or mineral spirits.
3. Cover the area with an absorbent material like kitty litter or corn starch, and allow it to sit overnight.
4. Sweep away or vacuum the material.
5. Inspect the area, and repeat the steps if necessary.

Make sure to perform these steps in a well-ventilated area and away from heat or open flame.

Paint the walls

The walls of your garage may have blemishes, or the paint may appear dated. Adding a coat of paint can give your garage a clean, stylish refresh. Choose a paint color like bright white, light gray, or light tan to make your garage appear brighter and more inviting.

Update the lighting

A dark and drab garage won’t be as attractive as a space with plenty of light. You may be able to switch the bulb out for a higher wattage, or you may want to update the entire light fixture to make sure potential buyers can check out every nook and cranny of your garage.

Replace the garage door

If your garage door is dated or in need of repairs, you may want to consider replacing it altogether. It’s a worthwhile investment, as a new garage door has a return on investment (ROI) of 97.5 percent, and it will help give your home’s curb appeal a refresh.

By properly staging your garage, you can showcase the best qualities of this multifunctional space to potential buyers.