13 Home-Staging Secrets

If you have a room that currently serves only to gather junk, repurpose it into something that will add to the value — and enjoyment — of your home, like this dreamy project room in the HGTV Dream Home 2006. Move boxes to a rented storage space (or better yet, have a yard sale or donate their contents to charity) and get to work creating the space you yearn for.

Suggestions: The simple addition of a comfortable armchair, a small table and a lamp in a stairwell nook will transform it into a cozy reading spot, Russell suggests. Or drape fabric on the walls of your basement, lay inexpensive rubber padding or a carpet remnant on the floor and toss in a few cushy pillows. Voila! Your new meditation room or yoga studio.