3 Smart Strategies to Make Your Home Feel Bigger for the 2026 Housing Market

If you’re thinking about selling your Massachusetts home in 2026, how you prepare it really matters in today’s housing market. Preparation can affect not just your price, but also how quickly buyers feel confident enough to make an offer.

Affordability remains a key consideration across the Massachusetts housing market. Many buyers are stretching their budgets or settling for smaller homes than they originally planned.

As a result, buyers are more cautious, more selective, and more sensitive to how a home feels the moment they walk in. Homes that feel open, bright, and easy to live in tend to attract more attention—and stronger interest.

Why Space Matters to Today’s Massachusetts Buyers

The idea that “bigger is better” has shaped home design for decades. However, economic shifts have changed buyer behavior.

Here’s how home sizes have evolved nationally:

• Mid-1960s: Median size around 1,500 square feet
• 2015: Peaked at approximately 2,467 square feet
• 2024: Declined to about 2,146 square feet

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Association of Home Builders, median home sizes peaked in the mid-2010s and have trended smaller in recent years as affordability pressures increased.

This shift reflects rising interest rates, inflation, and construction costs. In Massachusetts, these pressures are especially pronounced due to limited inventory, higher land costs, and an aging housing stock.

Interior layouts have evolved as well. In the 1950s, kitchens were closed off and designed for one cook. Dining rooms were formal, and rooms were generally smaller. Today, buyers expect open layouts. Kitchens serve as gathering spaces, while islands double as homework stations and social hubs. Consequently, open floor plans feel more valuable than ever.

For Massachusetts sellers, this means buyers are no longer focused solely on square footage—they’re focused on how efficiently and comfortably a home lives.

Strategy #1: Declutter First

Decluttering is essential when selling any Massachusetts home. Clutter makes rooms feel smaller and less functional. It can also suggest limited storage, which buyers already worry about.

Additionally, clutter can signal deferred maintenance, even when that isn’t the case. That perception can reduce trust and lower offers.

Five Decluttering Tips That Work:

• Use the 5-by-5 Rule: Declutter five rooms for five minutes each. Use a timer and repeat daily.
• Try Proven Methods: Marie Kondo recommends removing items that don’t “spark joy.”
• Hire a Professional if Needed: Decluttering is emotional for many sellers. A specialist can keep you focused and efficient. Tip: Ask your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Robert Paul Properties professional for referrals.
• Pack Valuables and Collectibles Early: Store seasonal items, décor, and keepsakes offsite or neatly in the garage.
• Decide Each Item’s Future: Keep, donate, sell, give away, or discard. Avoid moving clutter from room to room.

By following these steps, Massachusetts home sellers can create a cleaner, more spacious feel that translates well both in person and in listing photos—where most buyers form their first impression.

Strategy #2: Stage to Highlight Space

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, staging helps buyers visualize living in the space. In Massachusetts, where buyers often carefully compare multiple homes, staging can make a meaningful difference.

The National Association of REALTORS® consistently reports that staged homes help buyers picture themselves in the property and often lead to faster, more competitive offers.

Staged homes feel current, lighter, and more intentional. Buyers tend to linger longer, engage emotionally, and move forward with greater confidence.

Three Staging Tips That Pay Off:

• Seek Professional Guidance: Listen to staging recommendations, even if they challenge your personal preferences.
• Simplify Furnishings: Remove oversized furniture. Replace family photos with neutral, modern artwork.
• Use Warm, Neutral Paint Colors: Soft neutrals photograph well and feel inviting. Avoid cool grays that can feel stark or flat.

Strategy #3: High Impact Home Improvements

Small, well-chosen improvements can significantly enhance how large and functional a home feels—especially in older Massachusetts properties, where layout and storage often matter more than total square footage.

Three Improvements That Enhance Space Perception:

• Improve the Layout Thoughtfully: Open spaces feel larger. Removing non-load-bearing walls can dramatically improve flow.
• Highlight Energy Efficiency: Massachusetts home buyers care about operating costs. Be prepared to share utility bills and energy upgrades, such as insulation or new windows.
• Add Storage Where Possible: Many homes lack adequate storage. Consider built-ins, shelving, or attic improvements.

These updates help homes feel more efficient, more livable, and better aligned with modern buyer expectations.

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