There's nothing I love better on TV than a makeover show. It can be anything from overhauling a truck, to transforming your body through diet and exercise.

One of my favorite kinds of makeover shows involves a room, or rooms, being staged so it helps a house sell faster. Staging includes de-cluttering, removing personal items, and rearranging furniture, in order to show off the space in a room. Stagers set up a scene in a room that may include a fire in the fireplace, and a plate of cookies on the coffee table, to help the buyers imagine themselves living in that space. According to Barb Schwarz, author of Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money, staged homes sell faster and for more money. Even if you aren't interested in selling your home or condo, you can stage it to make it a clutter-free haven that can provide you with a restful refuge from the busy world. RCPL has books and articles that can provide you with guidance on how to go about turning your home into an appealing and tranquil retreat.

Tell us about your experience with staging or home makeovers. Do you have hints to share that you employed to set the scene for a successful home sale?