...To Bright

"When staging a home, keep the walls neutral and bring in ‘moveable color,’" says Barb Schwarz, founder of International Association of Home Staging Professionals. Vibrant, colorful furniture warmed up this room instantly. Because the living room was short on size and had awkward angles, smaller furniture maximized open space and gave it an airy feel.

* Cost: $650
* Result: The buyers loved the furniture so much they wanted it to be included in the sale of the house.