There are only 6 things we do in our homes. When you go to sell that home, you need to make sure that you have offered inviting spaces to do each of them. Staging CAN be as simple as that.

What are those 6 verbs that describe all that we DO in the place where we live?

1. Eat
2. Self-Clean
3. Sleep
4. Play
5. Work
6. Relax

So says Ann Maurice of the BBC television program, House Doctor. It is Ann Maurice who is credited with taking the concept of home staging from California, its alleged birthplace, to the UK. That debate is not important. At least, not to those of us staging homes professionally, realtors trying to get homes sold and sellers presenting their biggest asset in the best possible light. What is important is the simplicity and beauty that this list offers for dealing with the task at hand. Cover all of those functions and your house looks full, easy to live in and tempting to buyers.

Whenever faced with an potential problem, use one of these 6 verbs to reframe that possible negative as an asset. For example:-

POTENTIAL NEGATIVE

A Large Tree in the backyard, that blocks out a lot of sun and takes up a huge amount of space.

Reframe: PLAY

• Throw a rope over a strong branch and create a swing.
• Put a blanket underneath with a book and a picnic basket.
• Maybe a "lookout" as far up as you can get by ladder

POTENTIAL NEGATIVE An odd hallway, with an open bit, that reads as wasted space

Reframe: WORK

• Add a small desk, area rug and chair to suggest a quiet nook to read email, pay bills, keep the family calendar

Use the "6" as a checklist, and remember you do not always have to be literal about the illustrations. Within a side yard, is there somewhere you could fit a hammock, or a bistro set for a glass of iced tea -- this way you could have covered relaxing, eating, working or playing, no?