With the right special effects, good staging can transform a home into a dream house. Done poorly, however, and it can feel more like the set of a horror movie—a real house of screams.
Home staging has become standard in today’s highly competitive real estate market. Think of it as the homeowner’s equivalent of hiring a celebrity stylist for the Oscars. The stager’s goal is to highlight all the architectural assets, making spaces that could feel austere or intimidating appear warm and inviting.
Staging has a physics-defying effect that makes small rooms look larger, outdoor spaces more dramatic, and overall square footage feel expanded. Home staging is especially good at communicating a lifestyle—an elusive blend of good design and subtle luxury that says, “I’ve made it… but not that I care.” Staging always increases the sale price. It’s a short-term, high-yield investment.
Here’s an exclusive peek at how to make staging take center stage in your home for sale.
Right here, right now… in ten easy scenes.
- Scene One: **Appeal.** Start with curb appeal. Rake up fallen leaves, update the front door hardware, and install new exterior light fixtures. Curb appeal should create an unforgettable first impression that entices buyers to get out of the car and step inside.
- Scene Two: **Enchant.** The front entry should generate excitement, drama, and maybe even a little razzmatazz. Create a focal point with an oversized mirror, a piece of art, a lamp on a console table, fresh flowers, or scented candles—but not all at once. Add drama, not a graveyard of props.
- Scene Three: **Refresh.** Sand and refinish hardwood floors. Clean carpets or replace outdated flooring or countertops. Remove those little goblins’ handprints from the walls.
- Scene Four: **Rearrange.** Create furniture layouts where buyers aren’t dodging coffee tables or dressers. Focus on better flow and showcase the space. A smart design might highlight the view of mountains, a landscaped backyard, or a nearby park.
- Scene Five: **Upgrade.** Stainless steel appliances are a popular choice because they add a commercial, high-end look. If you have the space, consider adding a glass-front wine cooler for added appeal. Top a bathroom vanity with a vessel sink for a chic touch.
- Scene Six: **Accommodate.** Give your bathrooms that “Star” treatment. Add thick, white luxury towels, with extra hand towels at each sink. Include scented reeds or candles, glass jars filled with cotton balls or Q-tips, and chrome soap dispensers.
- Scene Seven: **Impress.** Treat your master bedroom like a luxury hotel suite. Add fluffy pillows and shams to match a thick duvet or quilt, and stack some novels on a tray. Include a tall plant to add perceived height and life to the room. If space allows, set up an armchair with a reading light or a sofa to enhance coziness. And don’t forget—remove personal photographs.
- Scene Eight: **Organize.** Clear the set—remove clutter. Install well-designed closets and organize this space. Closets should look and smell fresh, not musty. Hang shoes neatly, and store other accessories in matching wicker baskets. Keep the floor clear, add cedar blocks for scent, and invest in matching hangers to project a lifestyle of success.
- Scene Nine: **Entertain.** Add a soundtrack. Play music via iPod or wireless speakers. Install a plasma TV tuned to an eye-catching, high-definition disc of panoramic scenes. Present your home as modernized and updated to its fullest potential.
- Scene Ten: **Dramatize.** Add a subplot of square footage with dramatic effects. Use mirrors in small areas, strategically placed furniture, and large bouquets of fresh flowers. Turn on all floor and table lamps to spotlight the living space.
Stage from the floor up—seating is limited, so book now!
Article Supplied BY: Karyn
CRAZY HOUSE Home Staging – The Art of Professionally Preparing a House for Sale
403.287.1774 – Website: www.crazyhouse.ca
