#10: Reclaimed Yard

TIP: Curb appeal is a key component of home staging. Your front yard and home exterior are the first things potential buyers see, and making a good first impression is a must if you want to get them through the door. Before you put your home on the market, spruce up your lawn by removing debris, cleaning up edges and adding plants for a splash of color. You can also dress up your home by adding new house numbers, light fixtures and a fresh coat of paint on the front door.

#9: Flourishing Foyer

TIP: Like curb appeal, the first room buyers see when they walk into your home should be at the top of your staging to-do list. The entryway sets the tone for the entire home, so make sure this space is up-to-date, well-maintained and eye-catching.

#8: Beware of Beige

TIP: While neutral colors typically rule when it comes to home staging, don't be afraid to use small splashes of color to liven up a boring room. Throw pillows, artwork and vases of fresh flowers are great options for making your home pop with personality.

#7: Mismatched Kitchen

TIP: Don't think staging has to mean gutting your entire home and tackling major remodeling projects. In the kitchen, for instance, small updates like new hardware, a new backsplash or even a thorough cleaning can make a world of a difference. If larger updates are in your budget, just be careful not to go overboard. Top-of-the-line appliances, stone countertops and custom cabinets will give you a dream kitchen, but they may not pay you back at resale.

#6: Cluttered Dining Room

TIP: Decluttering and depersonalizing are cardinal rules of home staging. If your home is full of family items, knickknacks and collectibles, homebuyers won't be able to envision themselves living there. Get a head start on packing by putting these items somewhere out of sight. (But don't just stuff them haphazardly into a closet -- buyers will look there too!)

#5: Focal Point Faux-Pas

TIP: Arranging furniture to sell a home takes a different approach than arranging furniture to live in a home. When you first moved in, you most likely positioned your furniture for comfort and convenience. Now that it's time to sell, think of your furniture as a tool for highlighting your home's best features. If you have a great window, fireplace or other architectural detail you want buyers to notice, configure your furniture to make it a focal point.

#4: Patched-Up Patio

TIP: Think of outdoor space as an extension of your home. Just as you would stage your living room or dining room to appeal to buyers, you should clean, declutter and add style to your outdoor spaces as well. An inviting "outdoor room" with furniture, lighting and accessories adds more useful space to a home, which equals a higher selling price.

#3: Messy Master Suite

TIP: The best approach to staging is often working with what you already have. While a few minor purchases were made for this transformation, the big items -- like furniture and bedding -- were simply rearranged to highlight the room's best features. If your furniture is in good shape, experiment with various configurations to find one that makes the most of your space.

#2: Bathroom Blues

TIP: Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to update your home, especially if you have wallpaper reminiscent of the 1970s. This bathroom got a brand-new vanity and sinks, but if you're staging on a budget, you can also use paint to refresh your vanity. Just repaint or restain old cabinets and add stylish pulls for a modernized look.

#1: Hide-and-Seek Bedroom

TIP: Many homeowners are guilty of having a "junk room" -- that space where toys, exercise equipment, office supplies and other odds and ends all converge. But when it comes time to sell your home, that room has to go. When homebuyers see a room full of junk, the value of that space is lost on them. Before putting your home on the market, stage every room with one clear purpose.

HGTV's Frontdoor.com