The harsh Chicago winters present many obstacles, including how to effectively stage your Wrigleyville home.

We all know how brutal the winters can be here in our beloved Chicagoland area, but that hardly means that – should you be listing your Wrigleyville home – you can’t stage the home in an appealing, tasteful manner! So with that in mind, and as we we brace for winter’s worst, here are a few easy wintry staging tips:

1. Clear All Sidewalks/Pathways – Ice, snow, and sleet may be emblematic of Chicago winters, but they have no place in your Wrigleyville home showings; therefore, make sure that any sidewalks/pathways that lead to your residence are all clear. As David Cieslak of Signature Staging explained to Chicago Agent, that not only eliminates possible safety hazards, but also presents homebuyers with a well-maintained, clean listing.

2. Decorate Your Entryways in a Tasteful Manner – Leave the exuberant decorations in the attic, and focus instead on more tasteful touches that connect to the season. For instance, consider evergreen plants or birch logs for a warm, inviting tone to your Wrigleyville home.

3. Keep Those Lights On! – Finally, we all know how quickly the nighttime arrives during winter, so remember to keep your lights on at night so people can take a good look at your listing. As Cieslak mentions, potential buyers often like to drive past listings on their way home from work, and it’s hardly enticing to drive past a dark, shadowy house, now is it?

In short, keeping your Wrigleyville home festive, inviting, and free of dangerous ice and snow will be a sure way to sell during the harshest of seasons.

Source: “A Home Staging Checklist For Selling a Home in the Winter Months”