Thirteen "Sure Fire" Staging Secrets That Sell

1. MAKE AN ENTRANCE
We all know, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. The outside of the home is the first thing potential buyers see. Like it or not, the outside of the home speaks volumes about what is inside and about its owner. Small investments on the outside of the home pay dividends at the time of sale.

2. CONQUER CLUTTER
Admit it: We all have too much stuff. Any stager will tell you the most important thing most people can do to improve their home is to clear out, clean up and get rid of clutter. A good rule of thumb is: If it hasn’t been used in three months, store it away; if it hasn’t been used in a year get rid of it. Any mixed feelings a homeowner has about decluttering will quickly be replaced with a sense of relief and appreciate for their new surroundings.

3. LESS IS MORE
A cluttered look can also come from too much furniture. Most homeowners tend to line their walls with furniture. Oftentimes, a home will look its best with only half of the owner’s furnishings. If the furniture is not necessary for the function or beauty of a room – remove it. A good rule of thumb is only two (2) pieces of furniture per wall such as a bed and a night stand or a dresser and a chair. If it is not used regularly, remove it. Homeowners need to be reminded – every square foot freed up is prime real estate.

4. FLOAT FURNITURE
There is a common belief that rooms will feel larger and be easier to use if all the furniture is pushed up against the walls. This is not true. Float furniture away from walls, repositioning it into cozy conversational groups. Also be mindful of the traffic flow. There must be clear pathways around the furniture. Not only will this make the space more user-friendly, it will open up the room and make it seem larger.

5. MIX IT UP
The objective eye of a stager is invaluable in repositioning furnishings and accessories. Just because an armchair was bought for the den, doesn’t mean it won’t look great in another area of the home. When furniture is moved from its original resting place, the house takes on a whole new, fresh look.

6. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE SPACE
A large part of what stagers do is create definition to spaces. A stager will take that unused space and turn it into something that will add value and appeal to potential home buyers.

7. LET THE SUN SHINE IN
Stagers will most often take down heavy drapery and put something light, airy and gauzy in its place. If there is a lovely view outside of the window, most stagers will leave the window completely uncovered. When more natural light comes in to a home, it makes a previously closed in space appear larger.

8. LIGHT THE WAY
Many homes are not property lit, with either too few fixtures or not enough wattage being used in existing fixtures. To remedy the problem and make the home more inviting, increase the wattage in the lamps and fixtures. It is as important to layer lighting as it is to have sufficient wattage. A combination of overhead, floor, table and accent lighting creates great ambience.

9. MAKE A SPLASH WITH COLOR
Painting is the cheapest and easiest way to give a room a new look. Today, neutral extends way beyond beige from warm tans and honey colors to soft greens and golds. To punch up the space, bold colors can be used on accent pieces such as pillows and art work.

10. DON’T BE AFRAID OF BLACK
White is a tried and true tactic for freshening furnishings, but it’s opposite (black) can also revive tired furnishings and lend a chick, dramatic flair. Painting an old piece black immediately updates it. Black is a great way to pump up a space by providing a real impact.

11. MAKE ART POP
Placing pictures, paintings and prints in a high line around the room is a big mistake and make them appear almost invisible. Art needs to be hung at different levels so that the eye goes up and down as it travels around the room. This is how interest is created in the room. Wall hangings need to also relate to furniture groupings rather than floating on a wall.

12. ACCESSORIZE WITH FLAIR
Layering of accessories is the finishing touch in a space. Accessories in odd numbered groupings work best. Accessories should be grouped by a unifying theme such as color, shape or texture. Proper placement of accessories will make the room all the more inviting and provide the necessary impact.

13. BRING THE OUTDOORS IN
Incorporating seasonal greenery into a space will automatically make it more warm and inviting. Clippings and branches bring an organic quality to a space while spring blooms add splashes of color.

Contact Amie today 337-654-8522 for more information about her services.