Staging Tips

Home Staging Tips: Home Staging Basics

Professional home staging has become big business in recent years. Professional stagers can charge fees ranging from $500 for consultations to $5,000 for a full service staging. If your budget is too tight to fit a professional stager, there are a few simple ways that you can stage your house yourself.

Step 1
Remove clutter from your home. If possible, pack up everything that you are taking with you, aside from essentials like your clothes and furniture; rent a storage locker or store items in your basement or garage. Now is the time to pack up all your knickknacks, photos, souvenirs and fridge magnets.

Step 2
Clean from top to bottom. If possible, hire professional cleaners to do this. Otherwise rally together friends and family and make a concerted effort to clean everything in the house. Don't forget those dusty corners, baseboards and appliances. It is important to make sure that everything shines, including your windows.

Step 3
Make minor repairs. Now is the time to patch holes, fix leaky faucets, replace light bulbs and any other of the little annoyances that you have gotten used to. Remember to also look at whether or not your interior needs a fresh coat of paint.

Step 4
Paint all rooms with a fresh coat of neutral color paint. Paint the trim and baseboards with bright white oil paint, this well best showcase and show of the interior. If needed paint the ceilings as well.

Step 5
Get organized. Tidy up all of your cabinets and closets. Get everything off your counters, including everyday appliances like toasters. Organize your closets according to types of clothes, and then by color. You must also organize your kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as buyers are likely to look in them. Of course, you still have to live in your house, so you may need a place to store your personal items. Purchase some decorative storage boxes or baskets that you can easily pull out for any essential everyday items.

Step 6
Curb appeal. Since a typical homebuyer decides if they are attracted to a home or not in the first 8 seconds of seeing it, curb appeal is generally viewed as a vital aspect of the staging process. Therefore, curb appeal, the practice of improving a homes exterior appeal, is used alongside interior improvements. Take a look at the exterior of your house. Does it look clean? Are there bushes that are overgrown? Make sure that your grass is mowed. Consider planting some flowers or buying some potted plants to place on your patio to brighten up the house.

Step 7
Show the interior space at its best. Open up all the blinds and curtains so that you are getting the maximum amount of light coming into your home. Put out some candles or plants, both will help bring pleasant aromas into your home, while at the same time being welcoming to buyers. Now is the time to decorate your home with a few knickknacks so that it does not seem too bare. Don't put out anything personal since buyers want to envision themselves in this house--a few candles, a vase, a few pretty books or some throw pillows will work. If the walls are too empty, consider hanging up a picture. The decorating you do now should show off the space, not the items.

Home Staging Tips: Vacant vs Staged

Vacant Houses Do Not Sell Quickly and Profitably...

Some buyers can't make sense of the floor plan of a home that's not furnished. They have difficulty figuring how the home functions. So they can't imagine themselves living there. That's where home staging comes into play; buyers fall in love with a house because they can see themselves living there.

It's often hard to get a feel for the size of a home when it's vacant. Furniture can provide a gauge. For example, it's easy to see if a king-size bed will fit in a room that already comfortably holds a queen-size bed. In an unfurnished bedroom, the

answer might not be obvious. But after the set designers and lightning technicians apply their handiwork, the stage comes alive. It becomes captivating. Without furnishings, many homes aren't too interesting. Buyers often have difficulty imaging how a vacant home would look furnished. This is why many builders go to the expense of renting furnishings for a vacant house before they put it on the market.

Home Staging Tips: How to De-Clutter your home.

De-cluttering is often the first step in staging a home for sale. This is the step that can often organize most of the junk that needs to be taken away. People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in a year, you most likely don't need it."

Step 1
Decide how often you are going to de-clutter a zone. Do a little every day - use a timer. But be warned - this can become compulsive! Once you get started you will want to clean like crazy! Don't burn yourself out! Only do a small amount at a time. The house did not get dirty overnight and it will not get clean overnight. When you set the timer you can only do two sessions at a time. This goal may seem unattainable right now, but you can do it in little pieces. In a couple of days, the whole house will be de-cluttered.

Step 2
Gather together your de-cluttering Equipment: You will need garbage bags, boxes, magic markers, and a dust rag. Label the boxes "Give Away", "Throw Away", and "Put Away". Line the "Throw Away" box with a plastic garbage bag.

Step 3
Start at the entrance to the room: Then, work your way around the room clockwise.

Step 4
De-clutter With boxes at your feet and dust rag in your waistband, start off by cleaning out and getting rid of the things that do not belong in this room. Put garbage in the "Throw Away" box, donations in the "Give Away" box, and stuff that goes somewhere else in the "Put Away" box. Don't worry that you do not have a place for everything right now. By the time you finish you will.

Step 5
Ask yourself as you get rid of your clutter: Do I love this item? Have I used it in the past year? Is it really garbage? Do I have another one that is better? Should I really keep two? Does it have sentimental value that causes me to love it? Or does it give me guilt and make me sad when I see the item?

Step 6
Get rid of the garbage! When the "Throw Away" box gets full, pull out the garbage bag, close it, and put it in the trash can, the pickup truck, or wherever you keep your garbage. Put a new garbage bag in the "Throw Away" box and keep on flying until the timer goes off.

Step 7
Donate! When the "Give Away" box gets full, seal it off, and put it in your car. The next time you are out, you can donate to the area thrift shop. The value can be deducted on your income tax.

Step 8
Remember the most important rule in home staging! You are trying to get rid of clutter; do not relocate it somewhere else in your home. Now, grab another box, label it "Give Away", and get back to work.

Things to Consider
Rubbermaid or Sterilite plastic containers with lids are great for storing items. They can be stacked with the lids taped shut in the garage or shed.

Don't spend more on a storage unit than what you are storing is worth. Many people spend $30 a month for years, only to one day clean out the unit or abandon the contents.

Things You Will Need:
Boxes
Garbage bags
Permanent markers

Home Staging Tips: Furniture Arrangement

While staging your home make sure every space has an easy flow.

Step 1
With a tape measure, find the dimensions of the room. Draw the outline to scale on graph paper. A typical scale is 1/4 inch equals 1 foot.

Step 2
Mark anything that would affect your arrangement: outlets for electricity, telephone and cable; light switches; windows; doors that open into the room; space between windows; and sill height.

Step 3
Make scale paper cutouts of your living room furniture and shift them on the room drawing as needed until a likely arrangement emerges.

Step 4
Select a focal point for your room and subtly orient other furnishings and some lighting toward it. If there's a fireplace, it will nearly always be the focal point; other focal points might be bookcases or built-in shelving to house lovely collectibles, or a sofa with a striking painting on the wall above it.

Step 5
Arrange the furniture in such a way that pieces viewed as a unit don't show dramatic variance in height and mass as the eye sweeps the room. When a high-backed chair is next to a low table, boost the visual height of the table by hanging a piece of art above it.

Step 6
Set up cozy conversation areas so that when you entertain, people can be seated and chat rather than having to stand.Examples would include two chairs separated by a low table, or two love seats facing each other.

Step 7
Pull furniture away from the walls for more flexibility in creating conversation areas. For example, use a sofa to divide space in a room.

Step 8
Position the sofa so it's at a non-perpendicular angle to any walls to create drama. Perhaps put an area rug and coffee table parallel to the sofa.

Step 9
Allow a minimum of 18 inches (24 is better) for traffic lanes through the room. Lanes will probably meander if you have two or three conversation areas in the room.

Step 10
Freshen the room occasionally by shifting the furniture and accessories for a new look. Switch tabletop decor around, add fresh flowers, change potpourri, move pictures.

Home Staging Tips: Living Room Staging Ideas

The living can be one of the most exciting rooms arrange while staging your home. Most people do not realize their living rooms full potential when it's full of riff-raff. Follow the steps below to help get your living room show ready!

Step 1
Stow your clutter. The living room can be a drop-off for shoes, unopened mail, and other items, and you must hide these items in chic baskets, or discard the clutter.

Step 2
Organize your reading materials. One or two coffee table books can appear sophisticated, but a stack of magazines and books can end up looking sloppy. Stash magazines in melamine holders, and box up books you don't consult at least weekly.

Step 3
Remove at least one bulky piece of furniture. You might think that you need enough furniture for each family member to lie prostrate in front of the television, but your living room will look larger without four gigantic couches.

Step 4
Use gauzy window treatments to let the sun shine into the living room. If the view is unappealing, install shades that close from the bottom upward.

Step 5
Increase the wattage of your living room lighting. Use a combination of lights placed at different levels in the room to create a layered look. Change the mood of the living room with dimmers for evening showings.

Step 6
Choose black or white accent pieces as a foil to make the colors in your living room pop. You can paint a small side table with a fresh coat of black or white semi-gloss paint to draw attention to a brilliant vase or lamp.

Home Staging Tips: How to Stage a Small Bedroom

Small bedrooms can be a set back when you have a house for sale, as buyers are typically looking for as much space as they can get. Here are some small bedroom home staging tips that will pay off!

De-clutter and De-personalize -
First, get rid of everything that you don't absolutely need as this just takes up valuable space. Then, store all of your family photos and other items that say "I live here!". There should be as few pieces of furniture blocking the flow of the room as possible. A bed, a night table or two and a dresser are all that is needed. The layout should keep everything easily accessible, especially the doorway.

Bed -
Next is the bed. This will be the largest item, so, to maximize space, place it with the headboard centered against the farthest wall from the door. If there is a window there, no matter! Simply use curtains to frame the bed and make it look elegant. If there is a closet here, place the bed against a wall to the either side, whichever is further from the doorway.

Lighting -
Floor spot lights are a great way to add dramatic lighting without taking up a lot of room. Place a few of these spot lights behind the bed or other furniture and aim them at the ceiling for a beautiful effect that will highlight the good qualities of the room. Add a reading lamp to each bedside table to further show the room's potential.

Home Staging Tips: How to Stage the Kids' Room

Everyone on a budget knows how hard it is to decorate a home, even just a single room. A child's room can be one of the most challenging rooms in the house to stage. With a few easy tips and some creativity, anyone can stage their kid's room to present well to potential homebuyers. In this article, we chose a soccer theme. You can choose any theme you want, just make sure it's classy and not over the top.

Step 1
Decide on a theme. Pick one item or color that will be the main focus of the room and make your decorating plans around that.

Step 2
Paint the room. It is best to always paint every room in the house a neutral color, even if you are painting a space that has a theme. You can buy paint for a fraction of the cost if you are willing to purchase miss-tints. These are paints that were tinted for a customer but didn't turn out to their liking. Surprisingly, you can get some wonderful colors this way.

Step 3
Frame It. Put themed items in a picture frame. You can actually put items in a picture frame or you can just print something off the computer and frame it as well. In this case, it would be easy to print off a soccer ball and frame it. This is an inexpensive way of tying the themed space together.

Step 4
Sew something. Doing just one homemade sewing project can make a huge difference to the kid's room that you are decorating. Start with a pillowcase that matches the room's theme and work your way up to a valance for the windows.

Fabric is really inexpensive, even more so if you use a coupon or buy it from the clearance rack. These projects take very little fabric.

Step 5
Change the lighting. The simple act of changing the light bulbs in your child's room can make a noticeable difference.Consider adding high wattage light bulbs.

Step 6
Add a Desk. Stage a small desk area and accessorize with a table lamp and a computer prop. This will allow potential homeowners the opportunity to visualize their kids in the space doing their homework or how they will operate in that space.

Home Staging Tips: How to Make a Bathroom

Appear Larger
There is still a lot you can do to upgrade your bathroom without replacing tiles, removing fixtures or knocking down walls.These simple tips can make your bathroom look and feel larger quickly, easily, and best of all; cheaply. Follow the simple home staging techniques below to open up your bathroom space.

Choose the Right Color Combination
Choose pale, soft color schemes for your bathroom, as they tend to give the illusion of more space. Bright, strong and exciting colors (such as red) should be saved for accessories and towels that will make the white, pastel or neutral background pop.

Add Some Mirrors
Mirrors provide the illusion of expanding a small space without adding a single square foot. You might want to consider a couple of smaller mirrors arranged artistically throughout the bathroom to really open up the space.

Cut Out the Clutter
A clean, neat bathroom will always look bigger than a cluttered bathroom. Yes, this means you will have to spend some serious time organizing your stuff and you will have to get creative with your storage in order to make the most of what you have.

First, cut down on the number of towels, rugs, pieces of art and decorative accessories. Then, store everything you do not need out of sight. Consider keeping any supplies that are not frequently used in closets and drawers.

This does not mean you have to hide everything out of sight. There are plenty of attractive smaller storage options that allow you to put your items in place and on display at the same time, including over-the-door racks and suction-cup-mounted trays.

Keep the Visual Pathway Open
Finally, here is a simple way to increase the amount of space in your bathroom with a single swoop of the arm. Push back the shower curtain to one side when it is not in use. If you can see all the way to the back wall (instead of just to the curtain), your eye will think the room is larger.

Home Staging Tips: Spruce Up Your Fireplace

Is your fireplace looking drab and dated? Home staging is all about reworking existing features to make their true value and potential shine through. Fireplaces are a hot commodity but not if they're ugly and uninviting. Here's how to take an old and worn fireplace and restore it to the stunning asset that it once was.

Start by removing that old, brass screen. These are very dated in and of themselves and will hide your fireplace's true beauty. They also tend to get holes in them and end up looking shabby.

Next, scrub the entire fireplace, including the hearth and interior, with soap and water. Work the suds into the grime to loosen it up then rinse and wipe it down. Ash, soot, smoke and wood debris build up giving the once clean and beautiful fireplace a dirty and neglected feel. This does nothing in the way of selling houses!

Then, you should take a stone color enhancer and polish the hearth stones until they sparkle. This last trick makes it look as though you just had an entirely new fireplace installed. And you thought it would be hard! Revitalizing your fireplace is as simple as a good cleaning.

Now that your fireplace is back to its former glory, place fresh logs inside so it's ready for action. This will be much more appealing to buyers than a fireplace that looks as though it never gets used. Buyers will dub in reasons why things aren't used (maybe it's broken, etc.) so make everything ready for them to simply buy the house and move on in.

Home Staging Tips: Kitchen Staging Checklist

The kitchen is really the heart of the house and the one room that demands the most attention. When staging your home, this space needs to present well to buyers.

Step 1  Clean
- Scrub the baseboards and vacuum the corners.
- Polish chrome fixtures, dust ceiling fans and replace burned-out light bulbs, even over the stove.
-I f you typically cook meals that leave a lingering odor, consider dining out or bringing home take-out while your home is on the market. You don't want a buyer to walk into your house smelling what you ate for dinner last night.
- Don't ever leave dirty dishes in the sink or in the dishwasher. Buyers open dishwashers.
- Wipe down all the cabinets, inside and out. Polish the hardware -- if it's worn or dated, consider replacing knobs and handles.

Step 2  De-Clutter - Concentrate on the counter tops because buyers like to see lots of empty workspace. Put away all appliances, dishes, and all pots and pans. Next, turn your attention to the fridge & the cupboards. Throw away as much as possible (or box it up for the move) and keep what's left neat & ordered. "Yes, buyers do look inside the fridge and cupboards."

Step 3 Take a Critical Look at the Walls - As with the rest of the house, a light neutral paint job is the safest & most effective option. If paint is not necessary then just clean them with a sponge and warm water.

Step 4  Take a Critical Look at the Worktops - If your worktops are worn out, chipped or scratched, - consider replacing. Laminate worktops are the cheapest option and in this day and age actually look really good.

Step 5 Create a Place to Eat - Because modern living habits have changed over the years, today's buyers are looking for flexible space. In a kitchen that just means finding space for a table & a couple of chairs. This shows that the room is more than just a space for food preparation. It makes the space more valuable in the eyes of your buyers.

Step 6 Accessorize - By now your kitchen will be looking fresh, clean and nearly ready to sell. You just need to give it that show home finish. This doesn't take much (in fact in a kitchen less is more, just a few artfully placed objects.

Home Staging Tips: Window Treatments

When doing home staging, you can unleash your windows' full potential by utilizing window treatments that accentuate their beauty. When used properly, these window treatments will add a sense of style and purpose to the window and, in turn, the room, that will help tell its story. Window treatments are not only a choice in design but also in function. They can serve to hide or highlight different qualities of the windows themselves. If a window is flawed, you can use a type of window treatment that will cover or detract from this and if you have a beautiful bay window or wall of French doors, you may opt for a simpler window treatment or none at all.

Some rooms may need more light than others, or more privacy, and a window treatment can play that role. For example, a bedroom would need more privacy than a kitchen and rooms facing the street, likewise, require more privacy than those facing the back yard. Because of this, kitchens often have very light, or even slightly sheer, curtains that let in lots of natural light and give a sunny look to the room. These light curtains are called cafe curtains.

Box pleated curtains are a very common choice for living rooms as they are gathered into pleats at the top, giving them a clean and tailored look. These pleats also add a fullness that provides depth and texture to the room. Swags are another type of curtain that utilize the Roman and Greek method of draping. These make a wonderful choice in elegant and stately homes. Valances are short curtains that adorn only the top part of a window, almost like bangs. Valences can be used along with full-length curtains or blinds to provide more privacy.

Wooden blinds, such as those made from bamboo, are very popular in homes that reflect a beach lifestyle. Their soft shades of brown and tan add a lovely warmth and sense of relaxation that fits perfectly with this lifestyle.

Blackout curtains work wonders in bedrooms that face the sunrise as they will block out the light, allowing you to continue sleeping! Thermal curtains are perfect for homes in severe climates, whether hot or cold. They reduce heating and cooling expenses by retaining the heat or the cold, as needed.

If you're into recycling and do-it-yourself projects, there are many easy and beautiful window treatments that can be made and may be just right for you. Lace tablecloths can be stained with tea or dyed to make exquisite vintage style drapes that are unique and have that personal touch. Duvet covers can also be transformed with a little sewing and some tender love and care. Whichever style you choose, make it count by ensuring it fits with your house's overall design. Buyers will love the new look!

Home Staging Tips: Foyer Space

It's hard to have too much space in a house. If your foyer is small, use home staging tricks, like adding mirrors, to make it appear larger. To make it look longer, place the mirror at the end directly in front of you. If you want it to feel wider, place a mirror on each of the side walls. These tricks are also great for ladies doing last minute touch-ups before going out on the town.

Mirrors even work in large foyers but in this case other things should be added, if sparingly, to give it personality, such as artwork, metal wall hangings, etc. Additionally, mirrors are a wonderful way to increase light where lighting is limited.Place them across from a light source to reflect the light and give you double.

Another trick to add depth and space is to place a small, rectangular table against the far wall. This draws your eye forward and gives the illusion of space. Once you've directed the attention to this table you want it to look good so add a simple

flower arrangement or a decorative vase. A large, ornamental bowl filled with beautiful stones is another option that is very attractive. If the objects on this table are not too tall, you can also hang a mirror here to add height and additional depth. You could hang a picture here instead if you prefer or if you've already utilized mirrors elsewhere in your foyer.

Foyers should never be throw away spaces. With these home staging tips, yours won't be!

Home Staging Tips: The Rule of Three

Living room staging is highly beneficial when you have a house for sale. The living room is often a highly utilized space and, thus, should get the attention it deserves. In home staging there are a few simple guidelines that will really pay off when the buyers come a knockin'.

In home staging it is important to create vocal points in certain areas of the house. If you have a large t.v., you can make this the center of attention or if your home has a fireplace, this could make for a very elegant focal point. If there are no main

points of attention, create one with a low coffee table and some conversation-friendly seating. Whatever your focal point is, arrange your furniture in a way that directs the attention to it and keeps it there.

Leave the living room as open as possible to show that there's space to work and play. Groupings of three work best for furniture and decorative items. Unless you're going for a completely symmetrical picture, groups of two seem like they

should be symmetrical but aren't. Groupings of three are obviously asymmetrical and, thus, don't make you feel out of balance.

Placing three small vases with a single flower in each is a beautiful way to bring the outside in while keeping the motif of three. Other decorative items should be arranged in threes and/or singles. However, if you have an entrance directly into the center of the living room, you can create a dramatic impact with the use of doubles and perfect symmetry but it's not the easiest picture to maintain. So, make it easy for yourself and peaceful for the minds of your buyers and use the rule of three

Home Staging Tips: Garage Staging

Garage staging is one of the most neglected aspects of home staging as many people make the mistake of thinking that the garage is not important when selling a home. It then becomes the dumping ground for all of the things taken out of the house to make IT look good. But, don't under estimate the power of a clean, organized and spacious garage. You never know who's coming to look at your house. Maybe they love to build things and are planning on spending a lot of quality time in their new garage. Make them want yours!

People tend to let their garages go in terms of cleanliness. By spending a little time cleaning yours, you're saying to buyers, "I go the extra mile to keep things in good condition". You can also maximize space this way as clutter makes rooms look smaller. Less is more! So, keep your garage as empty and open as possible.

First things first. Take everything out of your garage and make different groups of items, such as holiday decorations, winter clothes, sporting equipment, tools, etc. There are two groups that should never enter your garage again and these are "trash" and "give away". After you've sorted through everything, put what you're keeping into a storage unit and only those things needed for emergencies and regular use should go back into your garage.

While everything is still out, power-wash the floor if it's dirty and re-paint the walls if needed. Use white and other bright colors to add light. What you do end up putting back in here should be very, very neat! Get some second hand cabinets and shelves and re-paint them to freshen their look. Hang your tools on pegboards to give an efficient flow for working on projects.

Home Staging Tips:Landscaping Curb Appeal

Increasing curb appeal does not always mean adding elements and sometimes necessitates removing them. Take pictures of your house and view them in color then black and white. Doing this helps to see things differently and spot problem areas. An element of home staging is creating curb appeal that makes a home stand out from the rest of the competition.

Step 1
Tackle all of the cleaning projects first, then repairs, and lastly, accessories. In this way you won't end up working over problem areas and merely cover them up but will actually restore your home to the way it was meant to be.

Step 2
Let's start at the street and walk in with our guests to see what they see. One of the first things that will catch the eye is a mailbox. If yours is shabby, fix it up. This can be done by simply getting a new one or by painting the old one, adding new house numbers, topping the post with a metal post cap or surrounding it with flowers.

Step 3
If you're going for quaint, nothing does the trick better than a white picket fence. There are different styles that each have their own unique feel. Taller style fencing can be used to give more privacy in a neighborhood where one is very close to one's neighbors. Wrought iron gates add majesty and grandeur to larger homes.

Step 4
As you walk up the path, how do you feel? Do you want to continue on or run away? Slate pavers, pebbles, tiles and bricks all make beautiful walkways in a range of prices. Lining your walkway with potted plants or flowers adds life and color. Rake and mow the lawn and clean up any overgrown weeds, etc. Trim dead tree limbs and any branches that could be hazardous to the roof.

Step 5
Gardens and landscaping can contribute greatly to curb appeal. Use plants that require the amount of sunlight and moisture that your yard naturally provides. Mulch and stones can add beautiful texture to your garden. Overflowing flower boxes, placed under windowsills, give a nice cottage feel. Be sure to water! Nothing says "GO AWAY!" better than a bunch of dead plants. If you have a balcony, this is another perfect place to utilize flowers. Have them spilling over the edge for an old Tuscan vibe. Who doesn't want to live in Italy?

Step 6
As you near the house, do you see dirt and grime? Clean your windows and use a pressure washer on decks, patios and siding. Empty the gutters so the new residents don't move in to do manual labor. This is just good karma!

Step 7
Don't be afraid of color. Rich, warm tones invite people in. There is also the belief that painting a house yellow helps it sell but this philosophy has limited application. If your house is white, you might want to use accent colors, but first, consult a professional. You can go very right or very wrong here.

Step 8
Do you have a porch? Hanging wooden shades on either side sets it off as its own room and gives more privacy. Seating contributes to the ambiance and function of this outdoor space. Light your porch, or any front door area, with soft, yellow white lighting. This romanticizes the home instantly. Lanterns are one of the best ways to do this and they come in all styles from quaint to modern.

Step 9
One of the most important things you can do to increase curb appeal is to make your front door welcoming. Repaint or restain it and maybe replace the old hardware with newer, unique pieces. If there is enough money in the bank, you may even consider adding some glasswork to your door.

Step 10
When viewing a house, most people will try to see into the back yard, so include this area in your preparations. Weed and mow the lawn and fix any broken fencing, etc. For a real bang, add some outdoor seating such as a garden bench. This is a beautiful and simple tool in outdoor staging.

In the Evening
For evening curb appeal, turn on that golden light by your front door. String low voltage lights along the driveway, walkway, etc. to lead the eye toward to house. Light your house numbers and make sure they're clean and on straight.

Ensure that any indoor lighting, visible from outside, is contributing to your home's appeal. Decorative street lamps are a throwback to older times and can be a valuable addition.