Home staging can help you sell your house faster and for top dollar. Of course, since you’re likely still living in the space, it can be hard to create the allusion of a perfectly clean and magazine-perfect home. If you’re having difficulties brainstorming ways to stage for showings, try implementing these tips!

If you have children

Since not all home buyers have children of their own, it’s a good idea to “make over” children’s spaces. Convert the playroom into a simple space that buyers can picture their own belongings in. For example, turn it into an office or workout space. This way, it’s still functional to have kids play in but can be converted at a moment’s notice. You might also consider trying to replace kid-themed furniture with neutral colored pieces and repainting the walls the same.

Put toys in containers that are solid, neutral colors; avoid see-through plastic tubs to avoid having potential buyers be distracted by seeing the toys. Keep these containers in a dedicated “dump closet,” and train your kids to put their toys away in this dedicated, closed space. This way, the containers aren’t visible unless the closet is opened during a showing—and even then, the containers won’t be distracting and will look neat.

It’s also a good idea to remove artwork off the fridge or wall spaces, keeping it in desk drawers or another dedicated container for now. Just make sure to explain to your kids the reason why and that their masterpieces can come right back out as soon as possible.

To make this transition easier for your kids, give them each have a dedicated bin of their favorite toys, stuffed animals, and books. This will also help when sorting through what you can get rid of in the move.

If you have pets

As cute, cuddly, and lovable as your pets may be, their presence should be minimized when selling your home. Remove photos of them from the refrigerator, walls, and tabletops, and seal up doggie doors. Also keep pet toys, food, and water bowls out of sight along with cages, carriers, and cat trees.

Most importantly, be vigilant about eradicating hair and odors. They’re a big turnoff to potential buyers, and dander is a common allergen. Vacuum daily or even twice a day if your pet sheds a lot, using an enzyme cleaner to remove urine stains and odor. It may be a good idea to have your carpets professionally cleaned as well. Further, invest in good food containers that don’t leak scent, and if there’s litter involved, purchase a covered litter box to minimize the smell.

If possible, get the pets out of the house—at least during showings. Send them to a kennel or pet sitter, or ask a friend or relative to take them for a short time. These may seem like obvious solutions, but many people overlook pets as a potential turn off by not recognizing people have different opinions and taste on animals.

If you have small spaces

You can’t easily add square footage to a home, but you do have ways of making your space appear bigger. One strategy is to make use of light, color, and patterns. Brighter rooms look bigger and more inviting, so maximize the light as much as possible. Place mirrors strategically to reflect images and light; incorporating lighter colors on the walls and furniture will also help open up the room.

Especially in a bathroom, use a vanity mirror that’s either tall or wide to give the illusion that the room is higher or wider than it actually is. Stripes are excellent for enlarging a room as they draw the eyes in the direction they point. For instance, use a striped rug to make the room seem longer or add vertical stripes on the walls to accentuate height.

Decluttering is important when staging any home, but it is paramount when spacing is at a premium. Place an emphasis on storing anything you don’t immediately need. And don’t limit this strategy to open areas; also remove half the items from your closets to give the appearance of more storage space.

In addition, scale furniture to fit the size of the room, and keep walking pathways open. If you can, put some furniture in storage, or rent smaller furniture while your home is on the market. For bathrooms, open shower curtains so buyers can see all the way to the back of the tub.

When it comes to selling your home, staging it well can make all the difference between getting top dollar and having it languish on the market. To help ensure your staging is top-notch, reach out to a real estate agent, who can give you some expert pointers or connect you with a professional service.

Still hungry for more tips? Download our DIY listing photos guide, and try some of these advanced techniques for staging your home for success.