How to Stage Your Kitchen: The Ultimate Checklist for Sellers

A beautifully decorated kitchen starts with a clean, uncluttered foundation. Use this step-by-step checklist to prep, refresh, and style your kitchen so it looks great in person and in MLS photos.

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Kitchen Prep & Styling Checklist

Clear and Declutter

• Put away as many items as possible from countertops and open surfaces.
• Only leave out (optional):
  • Coffee maker
  • Knife set
• Clear everything off the top of cabinets.
• Remove magnets, papers, and clutter from the refrigerator doors and sides.
• Hide the trash can in a cabinet or pantry if possible.
• Declutter and organize the pantry: remove extras, group like items together, and straighten labels so shelves look tidy and intentional.

Here are a few great organizer bins and containers you can use to make your pantry look organized, open, and ready to impress buyers.

Deep Clean Surfaces

• Wipe down all countertops with a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner or just water with my special e-cloth kitchen rag linked here (cleans 99% of bacteria)!
• Clean cabinet fronts, especially around handles and edges.
• Wipe the area on top of cabinets after clearing items off.
• Shine wood cabinets with an Old English–type product or wood conditioner.
• Wipe down baseboards and touch up paint where needed.
• Clean grout lines to remove stains and discoloration.

Below is a link to my favorite wood cleaner, shiner, and scratch cover for helping hide those unwanted marks. It is available in the dark and light color.

Cleaning your tile grout lines is essential for keeping your floors looking fresh and well-maintained, and it can make a huge difference in how clean your home appears. Here’s a link below to a cleaner that can help.

Sink, Faucet & Drain, DIshwasher

• Scrub the sink thoroughly, including around the drain and edges.
• Remove hard water stains or buildup on the faucet and handles.
• Clean and Deoderize the inside of the Dishwasher with the help of a tablet you can view here!
• Replace the faucet if it’s dated, damaged, or badly stained.
• Clean the sink drain (disposal) with a natural method shown here or drain cleaning tablet (linked here):
  • Pour baking soda down the drain.
  • Add white vinegar and let it fizz for several minutes.
  • Rinse with hot water to flush away residue and odors.

Your dishwasher and sink drain (disposal) should look and smell fresh and new. Here are links below to help make that happen!

Lighting

• Dust and wipe down all light fixtures (pendants, recessed, under-cabinet, etc.).
• Replace burnt-out or dim bulbs.
• Update outdated fixtures with more modern options if needed. Over a Dining Table or Island
  • Use these guidelines:
  • 1. Dining Table Chandelier
    • Fixture should be ½ to ⅔ the width of the table
    • Hang it 30–36 inches above the tabletop
  • 2. Kitchen Island Pendants
    • Two pendants: 12–18 inches each (for medium islands)
    • Three pendants: 8–12 inches each (for longer islands)
    • Space pendants 24–30 inches apart
• Maximize natural light in the kitchen: open blinds and curtains fully, and remove any heavy window treatments that block sunlight so the space looks bright and airy.

Here are a few updated, eye-catching light fixtures to help spark some inspiration! Always measure your space on the size fixture that would look best as well as go with the color/metal that goes with your existing space.

Floors

• Sweep or vacuum all flooring.
• Mop with the correct cleaner for your floor type. (Mine just requires water because of my mop! – link below)
• Pay extra attention to grout lines (scrub where needed) – view product here!

Appliances

• Wipe down exteriors of all appliances:
  • Refrigerator
  • Oven
  • Microwave
  • Dishwasher (Run a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaning tablet (SHOP HERE) to remove grease, mineral buildup, and odors.)
  • Any visible small appliances
• Clean interiors where needed:
  • Refrigerator shelves and drawers
  • Microwave interior
  • Oven interior
• Make sure the refrigerator exterior is clean and uncluttered.

I personally love using the E-Cloth Kitchen Cleaning Pack because it makes keeping the kitchen clean so easy. The microfiber cloth lifts grease, crumbs, and over 99% of bacteria from your counters, stove, and appliances—all without harsh chemicals. If you want to try it, here’s the link below!

Trash & Trash Bin

• Empty the trash bin.
• Scrub and disinfect the bin with warm, soapy water.
• Let it dry completely.
• Store or hide the trash can if possible.

Styling & Décor Checklist

General Counter Styling

• Keep most surfaces clear to avoid visual clutter.
• Add just a few carefully chosen decorative items, such as:

By the Stove/Range: Add few Decorative but Functional Items

• Include a small plant or simple décor item if space allows.
• Create a small, practical vignette next to the stove:
  • Use a small wooden tray to corral everyday items.
  • Add salt and pepper shakers (or salt bowl), a small plant, and a pretty oil and vinegar set.
  • Include a simple crock with new wooden spoons for a clean, updated look.
  • Place a pretty cookbook on a stand (view a pretty one here) by the stove to add charm and a ‘lived-in’ designer touch.

By the stove or range, add a few decorative but functional items—here are some great options to view.

On the Counters and Against the Backsplash :

• Lean a pretty wooden cutting board or two layered or a beautiful piece of artwork against the backsplash to add warmth and texture.
• Place a small bowl of fresh fruit (lemons, apples, oranges) near the cutting board for color and a lived-in feel.
• Add clear or simple canisters (glass or neutral) filled with:
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Oats
• Keep canisters neat and clean—no spills, crumbs, or sticky residue.
• Add a small potted or faux plant on the counter to bring in a pop of color and a fresh, natural feel.

Give your counters and backsplash a polished, buyer-ready feel with a few thoughtful pieces—check out some great items below.

Dining Table / Breakfast Nook

• Make sure the table has a fresh, simple centerpiece so it looks inviting in photos.
• Use a large bowl of fruit or a simple vase with green stems or flowers.
  • If the table needs more presence or volume, you can combine the two—for example, a vase with greenery next to a bowl of fruit.
• Hang a large neutral artwork by the dining table or eat-in nook to create a focal point and give the dining area its own defined ‘zone’ within the kitchen.

A fresh, simple centerpiece makes your table look welcoming and photo-ready—check out some ideas below.

Balance & Color

• Distribute colorful items (fruit, plants, canisters) around the room.
• Avoid clustering all color in one area—balance it across the countertops and the island if you have one.
• Keep the overall palette simple and cohesive for a calm, polished look.
• Keep the kitchen palette neutral so it appeals to more buyers—ideally both walls and cabinets. If your walls are bold or dark, repaint them in a light, neutral color (like soft white, beige, or greige), or make sure at least the cabinets are a neutral tone to balance the space.

Before Staging the Kitchen

After Staging the Kitchen

MLS Photo Checklist (Kitchen)

Use this quick list right before taking photos:

• Counters mostly clear: a few small appliances and limited decor on counters (look at ideas above)
• No visible trash can; trash bin cleaned and put away.
• Sink empty, clean, and dry; faucet free of water spots and buildup.
• Drain cleaned (no visible food, no odors).
• Cabinets wiped down; wood cabinets conditioned and shining.
• Tops of cabinets completely cleared and dust-free.
• All appliances wiped down (no fingerprints, smudges, or magnets).
• Refrigerator front and sides clear of papers and clutter.
• Floors swept, mopped, and grout lines as clean as possible.
• Baseboards wiped and any obvious scuffs touched up with paint.
• Light fixtures dusted; bulbs all working and similar color temperature if possible.
• Remove all kitchen towels from view unless they are brand new, clean, and in a very neutral color.
• Final sweep: no cords, chargers, or random gadgets in sight; color is balanced; overall look is bright, clean, and uncluttered.

By following this checklist, you’ll create a kitchen that feels fresh, updated, and welcoming in person—and photographs beautifully for the MLS.