Over time, cottages become treasure chests of beautiful memories — from all the collected trinkets and antiques purchased at local yard sales to the well-loved couch sitting in the main room. 

While you adore the cottage and will forever cherish the memories that echo through its rooms, it’s finally time to move on. You’ve decided to put it on the market because you’ve found one of the more modern and beautiful waterfront cottages in Muskoka. Now, you face the challenge of making the inside look as beautiful as its surroundings. But after generations of wear and tear, the task might feel a bit daunting. We've asked professional home stagers to provide expert advice on how to turn a beloved old cottage into an eye-catching summer home for stylish, upcoming buyers. You love the place, but the sooner you sell it, the faster you can focus on your new lakeside home.

Here are five staging tips that will help you sell the cottage quickly and easily, straight from the home staging experts.

1. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter

You and the family may love all the vintage artwork on the walls you found at local second-hand shops. But you have to ask yourself — would a young buyer appreciate the collection of 1980s clown paintings hanging in the back sunroom? Maybe, but the chances are slim. It’s crucial to view the cottage from a fresh perspective. 

People want to envision themselves living in a new space. The more knick-knacks and unusual thrift-store finds hanging about, the fewer people will find interest in the place. They'll only see the cottage through your eyes, preventing them from seeing it adorned with their furniture and decorations. Take a weekend to go through each room and consider having a yard sale when you return to the city. 

You could also donate the junk that’s no longer useful. Start fresh at your new summer home and get rid of any old stuff you no longer need. When you start to purge the cottage of clutter, it will slowly begin to feel and look more modern and worthy of showing to buyers.

2. Set the Mood

Real estate agents burn cookie scented candles when they’re showing homes for a reason: people love cookies! The scent of cookies can also triggers a sense of familiarity and comfort in buyers. The candle could help people envision themselves living in the home, snacking on their own baked goods. You don’t necessarily have to put out cookie-flavoured candles, but setting the mood with accents will enhance the cottage’s appeal. 

There’s a total of eight seconds to make a first impression on another individual, so you want to make sure that the cottage’s charm captivates buyers almost immediately. Speak with your agent about burning forest-themed incense or candles, such as pine, cedar, or sage. Such scents can emulate the cottage's natural surroundings, encouraging people to remember the beauty of where they’re standing. 

Other tips include adding fresh flowers to each room, as well as the bathrooms. And keep the lighting soft throughout the entire cottage. 

3. Invite and Entertain

One of the best parts about owning a cottage is entertaining friends and family. Showcase this aspect to potential buyers by turning the living room and kitchen into welcoming entertainment spaces. Invite them to imagine how they might entertain guests. Clean everything, including your entertainment system, until it’s sparkling. Polish any appliances and adorn the dining table with beautiful place settings. 

You could even open a bottle of wine and leave it on the table to show viewers just how magical entertaining in the space could be for them. Create the illusion that it's their home — it's a comforting space, and they could easily fall in love with it.

4. Clean Up and Maintain the Outdoor Area

People typically invest in a cottage because they want to enjoy all of the joys that nature has to offer, such as the lake, deck, and dock. Give your deck and dock and a fresh coat of paint or stain to make it look fresh and clean. 

Consider hiring a professional to check for any necessary maintenance and repairs. Before you show the cottage to the public, the deck and dock must be in excellent shape. You may also want to hire a landscaping company to maintain the garden and give it a little extra colour with flowers and plants.

5. Keep It In the Cottage Family

If you haven’t already found excellent realtors, consider the benefit of working with a team that works exclusively with cottages. They’ll be familiar with selling summer homes, and have a better perspective on the market and will have additional tips on how to make your cottage attractive and modern.

Selling the cottage brings up many emotions, both exciting and nostalgic. With these tips, you’ll be settling into your new home away from home in no time.