The 5 Dollar Store Products Professional Home Stagers Swear By

You’ve heard it before: Experts say staging a home can be one of the most important steps to selling a home. But when you hear “staging,” you may think it involves a good amount of cash and hiring professional help (two big “no’s”!). Here’s a secret, though: Many elements needed for an effective staging can be found on the cheap—if you know what you’re looking for. In fact, many professional stagers frequent Dollar Tree and other similar bargain stores for items to spruce up spaces. Don’t believe me? Here, experts share their five favorite $1 items to instantly transform homes.

The kitchen is often the most-used room in a home, so you’ll want yours to make a great impression with potential buyers. A clean and organized space is a must, so clear those kitchen counters of clutter. If you need some storage solutions, Cathy Lorenz of Cathy Lorenz Designs in New York City suggests heading to the dollar store for a big selection of glass containers and vases. They’ll stylishly hold your kitchen essentials like utensils or dry goods.

Looking to stage a home bar that any amateur mixologist would envy? Surprisingly, dollar stores are a treasure trove of sophisticated-looking bar items, according to Cathy Hobbs of Brooklyn, New York-based Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes.

“From thick rocks glasses to those of smoky glass, one can find fabulous glassware [there],” says Hobbs.

Christina Green Gerry of Making Home in New York stops by the dollar store to stock up on plain linens. Remember, when it comes to staging, you only need it to look good. Item don’t necessarily have be all that comfortable or functional. Adding a pile of rolled up, white cotton hand towels on a shelf or in a basket can create a chic, clean, aspirational look in your bathroom on the cheap. The best part? You won’t feel guilty when they inevitably get stained.

Successful staging is all about setting the scene, so little details can go a long way toward helping potential buyers imagine themselves living in your home. And you can nab some of these cute decor items for cheap at the dollar store.

“I found a cute little ‘RELAX’ sign that I could place next to the bed,” says Kathie Emhof of Transitions Interior Design & Staging in Buffalo, New York. “It could also be used next to a whirlpool tub.”

Even if the decor items seem a little earnest for your taste, they have plenty of items (like this letterboard) that can be easily personalized.

When staging your home, it’s inevitable that you’ll need some supplies to get the job done. According to Green Gerry, dollar stores are a great place to snag all the little home improvement supplies to help you make your home look fabulous, including nails, screws, tape, hooks, and more.

Need a couple more super staging ideas? Here, six ways plants can help your home sell.

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