HOME DECOR

Wild Things! – Animal Inspired Home Decor

wild-things-animal-inspired-home-decor

 We love pulling nature inspired pieces into our decor packages no matter what style of decor.  Natural fabrics, materials and other influences add a certain element of warmth to any decor style.  A modern space looks warm with just a few touches of wood or sisal.

In recent years, we have seen a lot of animal inspired pieces ranging from rugs to pillows to art even wall paper.

What we love about animal inspired decor is that it really is timeless, the neutral tones of a leopard or cheetah print work with many styles of decor and the tones are rich and sophisticated. 

 

We love a leopard print pillow…

and because it is a neutral it can be paired with everything!

 

 

Zebra print

is another popular animal inspired element and we have seen in many colour waves outside of the classic black and white.  This print adds a pop of glamour to any room. It works in so many spaces.  We love it as a punchy ottoman or foot stool, but it’s fabulous as a bench or elegant chair paired with other elegant touches like metallic and crystal.

 

Cowhide

adds another member of the animal kingdom to your space and cow hide isn’t just seen in the pasture these days.  We are seeing cowhide everywhere and with every style of home decor.  It’s a great neutral area rug with an organic shape and great neutral tones and the texture adds warmth and a bit of softness without being feminine.  This is a great option for a man’s home!

 

More recently we have seen the addition of antlers

…in many styles of decor, of course this is a staple in a country or cabin look but we have seen antlers in more contemporary spaces, too. You are seeing them as wall art, light fixtures (ceiling and lamps) and also just as a decor piece

Here are some of our favourite ways to add wild things into your space!

-The classic

– a zebra poof in the bedroom. A touch of sexy glam!

Why not windows? 

These subtle drapes in a zebra print with soft gold, cream and grey tones adds some great visual interest without being over the top.

 

 

 

Go glam and gold!

Make your powder room wild with wallpaper in leopard print but keep everything else in solids like the vanity and window treatment.  This makes a big, beautiful and bold statement.

 

Add some graphic print…

to a typically plain space like a lobby with a bold piece like this zebra bench with nail head accent.  Even though the print is black and white and nothing else in the room is, the classic colour combo works because it is a neutral, a new neutral!

 

Play with print and colour!

We know zebras aren’t orange but this orange and cream zebra print updates this more traditional space and adds a bold injection of colour

 

 On the floor

this cow hide rug in soft beige tones adds great texture and some softness to this space – the dark hardwood, dark walls, concrete ceiling and leather club chairs are very manly but the cow hide element beautifully and the pops of colour with the art and pillows add a final bright touch!

 

Purrrfect pillows!

Leopard print is one of the new neutrals.  Because it is a classic print and it consists of neutral tones it goes with everything.  It really stands out again a white backdrop and it works with bright pops of colour too!

 

An animal print chair really just makes a statement on it’s own!

It doesn’t need anything else to make a bold impression.  Animal print chairs can work in just about any space – bedroom, dining room, entry and living room even a child’s bedroom depending on the colour wave you choose.

Antlers, antlers – any and everywhere! 

We have seen a huge influx of the antler in home decor – lamps, chandeliers, wall art, art, textiles and even wall paper.  It’s a huge trend it is seen in modern spaces to vintage to country and in so many colours from brights to white and more natural tones

 

And if all of this print and texture is just a bit too much for you but you love the idea of animal inspiration way not look into some pillows or throws with animal images again this works in modern to country decor styles.

 

And of course, we cannot forget the popular trend of bedrooms in animal print but for the kids!  Yes, that’s right we have seen a huge influence of zebra and leopard in teen girls rooms – bedding, pillows, art and more!  We often see this print paired with bright and bold colour – the idea here is totally wild!!

 

We love the look of adding some animal-istic influence in any room!

 

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BEDROOMS, HOME ENTERTAINING

Preparing your Spare Room for House Guests

preparing-your-spare-room-for-house

Having house guests is a reality for almost everyone. Whether it’s family or friends, at some point everyone has been and will be a host to a guest in their home. Having people stay in your home can sometimes be challenging and in this blog post, we will help you prepare your home to make your guests (and you!) as comfortable as possible.

 

When hosting family or friends, you want to make sure that they feel welcome and comfortable. Remember they are in an unfamiliar territory and are not necessarily relaxed living in someone else’s routine, rules and spaces. Do your best to make your home warm and welcoming!

 

Choose a convenient room.

 

Your guests don’t want to have to cross the whole house to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night. They also aren’t going to want to wake anyone else in the house by getting up. The most ideal situation would be a guest room with an attached bath, or at least next door. Convenience is key and bringing people more out of their comfort zone is not what they want.

Create a warm retreat for your guests to sleep in.

A comfortable bed is a top priority. You want your guests to sleep well and feel refreshed. This may be a vacation for them! Make your guest room beautiful, comfortable and an experience they will remember. Outfit the bed with high quality sheets, a comfortable duvet or fluffy comforter, and lots of extra blankets. Having a variety of pillows is also a nice touch. Not everyone likes a soft pillow, so having a few to choose from will make the guest most comfortable.

 

Be sure to decorate in subtle prints and soothing colours. For many people, an abundance of bold colour in the bedroom is a distraction. It may be to your personal taste, but remember, you are not sleeping in here. For guest rooms, less is more. Of course, beautiful prints are lovely, but try and keep the colours more muted. It’s important to have a tranquil space. Your 80 year old grandma may have a heart attack if she walks into a lime green bedroom, and that doesn’t go over well with anyone.

 


Closets and drawers.

Have some closet space available in the guest room. Depending on the duration of their stay, this is something that will make them feel at home. A dresser is also a nice touch, living out of a suitcase for more than a few days are never fun. A full length mirror is a nice feature as well.

 

The extras.

If you have the space, a reading chair and side table is a nice addition to a guest space. It gives them a little retreat throughout the day to have quiet time to themselves. Have a few books and magazine options available for your guests, it will be nice for them and they will appreciate that you went out of your way to cater to them.  Having a clock in the room, as well as fresh flowers are nice touches that don’t clutter up the space.


Mandatory Bathroom Items.

Sometimes people forget things. Have extras available of all the necessities like extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine paper, deodorant, shampoo, soaps etc. Make sure there are adequate towels available. Plush, luxurious towels are a nice extra and will add to the guest experience.  If it is a shared bathroom, leave some space for your guest to leave their toiletries so they don’t have to bring their bathroom stuff back and forth for the duration of their stay.

 

Of course not everyone has the luxury of extra space. Do your best to find a private space for your guests and make it comfortable, using the suggestions above. Be thoughtful and be welcoming, and enjoy the company!

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HOME DECOR, HOME STAGING

Get the ‘Model’ look at Home

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Have you ever toured a model home and wished your space could look like that?  Or admired some key pieces and wanted them for your own home?

Well wonder no more…..with the help of KIKI Interiors and Wayfair.com you can get the  model look in your home.

It’s easy too.  Click here to get directly to the kiki interiors gallery and you will see a series of different looks.  Each image has various highlighted items and wayfair.com has already done the shopping for you!

To get the look at home you may just need a few pieces or a fresh new colour palette.  We hope our gallery inspires you!

Here are just some examples of the model homes you will find in the KIKI Interiors gallery on Wayfair.com

 

An urban condo with high gloss grey cabinets, quartz counter tops, over sized industrial pendants and pops of orange and turquoise. The pops of orange came from the Pantone Colour of the Year (at the time) ‘Tangerine’.

 

 

A mix of modern and ethnic elements.  Lots of layered neutral tones with texture and clean lines. Don’t be afraid to mix natural materials and textures with more modern pieces.

 

 

A condo where classic and contemporary meet.  Pattern, bright pops of apple green, yellow and teal, nail heads, glass and more…

 

 

Where contemporary meets industrial, a mix of metal, brick, shades or grey and stone…

 

You might be thinking – “Wow, that’s a lot of different styles of model homes” – When we design what the model home is going to look like we take a lot of different factors into consideration.  Who is the buyer? What is the price point / budget? What are the current trends? What are we working with in terms of space (lots of light, interior finishes etc…).  When we design and decorate we aren’t doing it for ourselves – we are thinking of it as a sales tool and not just a ‘work of art’.  A model home is meant to inspire and attract…

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HOME ENTERTAINING

How to Set Your Table for a Dinner Party

how-to-set-your-table-for-dinner-party

Many of us are spending more and more time entertaining from home as opposed to going out.
With budgets tighter, staying in is a much more bank account friendly option these days. Inviting friends over for dinner parties is more in fashion than ever! There are many aspects of a having dinner party…One of them being the table setting! In this blog, we will help you set your table for a dinner party, and of course, show you how to make it beautiful! 

Your table setting is a great place to let your personality shine through. Do you love colour? Use it! Are you into geometric patterns? Great! Use them on your napkins or placemats! Love bold prints? Add a fabulous printed table cloth!

 

There are so many fun ways to make a great tablescape.

 

First of all, let’s start with table linens.

Are you using a table cloth? Or are you looking for a more modern look and just using decorative place mats? Maybe neutral tones on your napkins? Either way, having one or all of these options will be great! The napkin can either go to the left of your plates or on top of the plate, folded nicely!

 

 

Now that we’ve laid the linens down (napkins, placemats, and/or tablecloth)

We need to add plates. Depending on how formal you want to be, this will coincide with the amount of plates you need to add. (See the below diagrams and see which appeals to you… formal or casual.)

 

 

The above photo shows a very formal dinner setting. For casual entertaining, we recommend using a charger and a dinner plate on top. A charger is a large, decorative dinner plate that usually goes underneath the service plate (the one we use for eating.)  A charger just adds a punch of colour or texture or pattern to the place setting.

I recommend having an extra plate available for a more casual setting for salad and/or bread. It’s
more convenient for your guests. With a formal setting, this is a must-have.

Next, onto flatware.

For a formal setting, you will have 3 forks, at least 2 spoons and one dinner knife as well as a bread knife. The forks will be three different sizes, one for salad, one for dinner and one used for dessert. The two spoons needed are a soup spoon, which is slightly larger than the dessert spoon.

 

For casual entertaining, one of everything is perfectly acceptable. An extra dessert fork and spoon is a nice touch though. Supplying one fork, spoon and knife for dinner is just fine.

 

Next, you need glasses.

For formal entertaining, a white and red wine glass is placed on the top right of the place setting along with a water glass. After the meal has begun, most guests will chose either a white or red wine and the unused glass can be removed. Once dinner is complete, the addition of a cup and saucer is brought to the table for coffee or tea.

 

 

Casual entertaining includes a water glass and a wine glass. Depending on your guests or your glass collection you may only want to offer a neutral wine glass. There are many different types available that are great for multi-purpose and casual settings.

 

And last but not least…

You’ll want to make sure you have a beautiful centerpiece. This goes for both formal and informal dining. A centerpiece is a necessity! There are so many different centerpiece options: you could use flowers, candles, or unique conversation piece. Just make sure it isn’t an eyesore and complements the existing table setting. If you’re unsure of what to use – get some beautiful fresh flowers. You can never go wrong with a beautiful bouquet!!

 

Don’t let dinner parties stress you out – have lots of food, great conversation, good company and lots and lots of wine – that’s a sure solution for a fantastic dinner party!
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HOME STAGING

Why you need to stage your home

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First impressions matter the most when it comes to selling a house. In the real estate world, impressing prospect buyers is already half the battle. That’s why many seek professional home staging services to bring out the full potential of their home.

But not all people are convinced and we understand their hesitation. Some prefer to do it themselves instead of asking for professional help. Many home sellers ask us – why should I spend  money to sell my home, can’t the buyer do it themselves and make the changes they really want? The problem with that is most buyers can’t see potential and in this current real estate market most buyers don’t want to lift a finger!  So if you want your home sold and fast, you need to do the ‘grunt’ work for them. Remember when a professional stager comes to your home for a consultation it isn’t a personal attack, we are there to help you get your home sold and for as much money as possible in the shortest amount of time.

If you are in the process of selling your home and are having second thoughts about the benefits you can get out of professional home staging, here are a few reasons why you should consider it.

 

#1 The best short term investment a seller can make

In a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average cost of staging is between 1% and 3% of the asking price and this investment can yield on average 4-10% more of the final selling price.

Moreover, Homegain.com explained that sellers who invested $500 in home staging recovered over 343% of the total cost when they sold their home. That’s a pretty good investment.

 

 

#2 Staging help you sell faster

If you’ve done your research beforehand, you must know by now that the longer a house sits on the market, the more likely the price drops.

Based on controlled tests initiated by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), wherein a number of identical homes were sold, professionally staged vs. not staged, the non-staged houses sold in 102 days, while the staged houses sold in 45 days.

Just imagine all the carrying costs you need to manage if your home stays longer on the market. By staging your home, all the inconvenience, stress, plus additional expenses such as mortgage and taxes, can be avoided

 

#3 Avoid a price reduction

A home that’s in “as in” condition are a tough sell, unless it has already been the victim of a substantial price reduction. Ensure that your property is in tip top shape before listing. Most traffic and interest will come up within the first two weeks so make it a point to maximize the potential of your home to make it to a buyer’s shortlist.

 

#4 Stand out among competition with professional MLS photos

Over 95% of buyers look at online listing before making an actual visit, so it is important to have professional MLS photos to convince them to see the place for themselves. As professional stagers, we know how important first impressions are and we employ various techniques to make the best impression possible. Colours to use, the right amount of decor pieces, furniture placement and more…so our ideas for your home might be completely different than yours but we are here to help you show case this home to buyers and make your home look like their dream home!

#5 Most sellers are having hard time viewing their home objectively

If you can’t view your home objectively, it’ll be hard to package it for the buyer’s eyes.  A professional home stager can help you with this. They know how to minimize the problem areas and maximize the potential of the best features. You decorated your home to suit your lifestyle and personal tastes but now that you have decided to move on, you need someone to come in and help you present your home in its best light and have it attract as many buyers as possible.  It can be very tough to be objective in your home as it holds so many wonderful memories, so again don’t take it personally when a home stager gives your ideas or stage your home in a way that you ‘never’ would.

#6  Only 10% of home buyers can visualize a house’s potential

This is why home staging is so important. It gives the buyers ideas how they can play with interior design. You need to bring out and show the potential of a house the best way you can.

#7 Peace of mind

Staging your home by yourself can be a tough job. It entails detailed planning, sorting out things, decluttering, trips to the home depot, finding contractors for paint jobs and repairs, etc. By entrusting the job to more capable hands, rest assured that you’ll get the best return on your investment.

 

Staging your home really is a must in any market.  Why? Because no matter the market conditions you want to stand out from the crowd, sell quickly and for top dollar! You can’t afford not to stage your home,

 

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CELEBRITY HOMES

Celebrity Style : Meryl Streep

celebrity-style-meryl-streep

Ever wonder what certain celebrities homes look like?  Meryl Streep’s California mansion is one that might really surprise you!

Built in 1954, this property in the Hollywood Hills feels much larger than being just shy of 3,000-square-feet. Thanks to the seemingly endless walls of windows throughout the home, there’s a generous amount of natural light that fills every room, creating a beautiful balance between indoor and outdoor living. This is further enhanced by the multiple inviting patios and pool, complete with plenty of comfortable lounges and a fire pit.
Don’t worry though, all the windows won’t leave you feeling exposed. From the outside, the home appears as an intimidating private compound with concrete walls and monstrous greenery surrounding the perimeter. You may actually be surprised to enter and find yourself in a tranquil open-concept home dressed in a neutral colour palette with touches of deep browns and wood tones

Details:
– 2 bedrooms
– 3 bathrooms
– Rough textured stone wall and fireplace
– Gourmet kitchen
– Courtyard
– Outdoor pool and spa

Want to know more? Check out the listing here.

 

 I was a bit surprised to see the sleek and modern finishes inside of the OSCAR winner’s California home.

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CELEBRITY HOMES

Celebrity Style – Mila Kunis

celebrity-style-mila-kunis

Mila Kunis and her finance, Ashton Kutcher are always in the spotlight and their lives will be even more center stage once their little bundle of joy arrives this Fall. 

The hot is couple is often praised for their easy yet chic sense of fashion and you might be wondering what their California home looks like.  well wonder no more check out this slideshow for a sneak peek into the couples’ surroundings.

Located on a private cul-de-sac, this incredible property spans an impressive 14,554-square-foot and carries a laid back Mediterranean vibe and look. The home itself, built in 1958, is fully outfitted with five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, one half bath, movie theatre, two car garage, outdoor pool, spa, hot tub, and so much more we can hardly handle it.

Up in the Hollywood Hills West, in a gated community, it’s a coveted location and this compound is ready to sell! With a baby on the way, this home is looking for a new owner as Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher start a new journey together, leaving this suped up pad for the next bidder with $3,995,000.

 

Interested?   Here are the details and listing:
– Split-level home
– 5 bedrooms
– 4.5 bathrooms
– 2 car garage
– Home movie theatre
– Chef’s kitchen
– Indoor/outdoor living room
– Spa
– Full service cabana
– Outdoor pool
– Hot tub

 

 

You will notice a mix of soft and hard materials like the linen upholstery and wood beams with some real natural materials mixed in like the jute area rugs.  The rooms are designed for entertaining but also comfort.

 

Throughout the home you will notice lots of layering of neutral tones, elements of nature like reclaimed wood and jute and subtle pattern in the upholstery accents and even wall paper.

 The kitchen is perfect for entertaining but also for a gourmet at heart.  The colour palette is timeless but still chic.  A great balance of contemporary with some classic elements, masculine and feminine. The over sized island offers a lot of workspace and storage but it’s also perfect for guests.

 

What an amazing place to the lucky person (or people) that get to call this ‘home’.

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BEDROOMS, HOME DECOR

Budget Friendly Bedroom Updates

budget-friendly-bedroom-updates

 

So often we hear of people who are getting bored of their surroundings. Many can’t afford to completely gut and start from fresh with their existing style and are looking for fun, inexpensive updates to spice up their bedroom décor.

 

Here are a few budget friendly, simple fixes for those who need a little change!

 

  1. Change out your existing drapery.

There is so much great pattern and colour out there that this is an easy and effective change. Ready to hang blinds and drapes are in tons of big box stores and come in great fabrics, colours, patterns and at an incredibly affordable price!

 

 

 

  1. Purchase new lamps or lamp shades!

 

This is a great and inexpensive swap as well. Of course, there are some lamps that are crazy expensive, but there are also a lot of really affordable options. So many great stores offer colourful lamp bases, colourful shades and shades with patterns. These touches will make a difference, even though they may seem minimal. A new lamp or lamp shade will freshen up the space.

 

 

  1. New throw pillows and throw blankets.

Add pattern! Change your existing colour scheme! Do both! There are zillions of options for great throw pillows, and will be a welcome addition to your existing décor. Remember, we are freshening the space, and this is probably the most inexpensive way to do so. And don’t be afraid to mix colours and patterns! The easiest way to do this is to have one common element through your selections. Maybe they all have the same pattern but come in different colours, or have the same colour but come in different patterns. The combinations are endless!

 

 

 

  1. Paint an accent wall!

 

Of course, a new paint job is also a fabulous option, but depending on the size of your room, this has potential to soar into the hundreds. Painting one wall can add new life to the room and is not overly expensive. This can most likely be done with one can of paint and will make a huge difference. You can chose to go bold and make a drastic change, maybe paint some stripes into a pattern on your wall, or maybe chose a shade that is a tad darker than your existing colour. Either way, change is change! It will be different than what you’re currently bored of and that’s what we’re trying to achieve, right?

 

 

  1. New comforter or duvet cover.

 

This is an easy change. It will run you less than a hundred dollars if that’s what you are aiming for, and the bed is typically the main focal point in the room. It will be hard not to notice (and LOVE!) brand new bedding!

 It doesn’t take much to get a fresh new look (and feel) in your bedroom!
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HOME STAGING

Home Staging Obstacle: The Kids’ rooms

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I have 4 children and I remember (not too long ago) trying to sell my own home while we were all living there.  Although living in the home that you are selling can be a big challenge, the parents fully understand what is going on and what need to be done.  But what about the kids?

If you are looking to buy a home or if you’re thinking of selling and you have children, one of your priorities would be how to create a good environment for your kids. Just how the master bedroom is for us, kid’s room is where they’ll spend much of their time learning, growing, studying and relaxing.  So one thing that you shouldn’t pass on is creating a perfect space for your home buyer’s children by means of staging.

Below are simple, yet powerful tips for staging your kid’s room to make it appeal to both children and parents.

 

#1 Create a livable and spacious room

Perhaps, the most challenging part of staging a kid’s room would be creating an illusion of a magazine quality space. To do this, start by removing excess clutter, toys, and furniture. Like the other rooms in
your home, prospect buyers would want to see if they can fit in all the stuff their kids have. Make your kids part of the daily clean up routine, it will become habit eventually but even if it doesn’t at least the room won’t get too chaotic with regular tidying.

#2 Decorate with a theme

 

 Believe us when we say that parents love themed kids rooms! From athletic sports bedrooms, to color-coordinated bedrooms, parents and kids alike will be pleased. Besides, following a specific theme makes it easier for you on deciding which materials to buy because you already have a picture in mind to follow. A mish-mash of themes in one space like a kid’s room or any other room makes the space look and feel a bit sloppy which is never a selling point!

 

#3 Make way for natural light

Like any other room in the house, your kid’s dark room might seem less attractive. A dark room can make for a sad room and you don’t want the buyers to feel that. Let natural light in with bright and cheery window treatments, and ensure there is a source for natural light.

My daughter’s room faces east and because of that she has ‘black out curtains’ but during the day the room looks very dark, so a simple solution is pulling back the curtains and wow – the light is incredible! You may also consider artificial lighting like overhead lighting, bedside table lamps, wall scones, or floor lamps for additional brightness.

 

#4 Get inspiration

If you’re still not sure how to decorate your kid’s room, browse the Internet for some inspiration. Pinterest can help you with that. Take a look at staged kid’s room ideas and see which one appeals to you the most. You can also browse home styling magazines, blogs, and event TV shows.

 Another helpful tip is to visit model homes near your area and see how interior designers have decorated kids’ rooms. Or if you want more professional looking staged rooms, you can contact expert home stagers by visiting their website for contact information

 Staging kid’s rooms is nothing but fun! It is an enjoyable experience and it can be a great bonding experience with your little ones. Creating a perfect environment for the children of the future owner could be one of your best investments to make your home on top of their list. So, please remember to ‘color outside the lines’.

 

#5 Think easy solutions

My boys have a great looking room with a red, white and blue colour theme with some pops of ‘Spiderman’ and ‘Captain America’.   They love their room but don’t love keeping it clean.  Look for some easy solutions so that they can keep the space tidy for when you have showings at the house. 

Baskets are my go to!  I have a series of baskets that my boys put toys, books etc…to help keep things off of the floor and because the baskets are easy (instead of say a closet or shelving system) they can do it themselves!

Remember that when it comes to selling you want to show buyers their dream home and the kid’s bedrooms are a part of that dream…

 

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HOME STAGING

9 Easy Ideas to Help Sell Your Home

9-easy-ideas-to-help-sell-your-home

  If you’re determined to sell your home fast, there are frugal home staging ideas that you can do right now. These ideas we will share with you are home staging tips that everyone can apply if they want to, on their own within a very limited time, without breaking the bank. The goal here is to make your home look squeaky clean, big, and attractive for a faster sale in a matter of days.

 

Here are 9 inexpensive ways on how to stage your home fast and cheap.

 

  1. Paint in Neutral tones

Paint should be on top of your list because this helps you set the mood and theme of any given room. Use light, neutral colors that would be appealing to most. Neutral colors do not only make a room brighter, but also provides a blank canvas that a potential buyer can play with. You can hire someone to do this for you, but if you have the time and the skills, it’ll save you a few hundred dollars.

 

  1. Declutter and depersonalize

Get rid of your personal stuff. Allow home buyers to imagine themselves living in your house so our pro tip is to declutter your books, pictures, knickknacks, and anything else that is a personal reflection of you. Think of this as a pre-pack before the big move!

 

  1. Clean your light bulbs and update light fixtures

Sometimes, you don’t have to replace your light bulbs at all. Try wiping the dust off first and see if they still have some of the brand-new type of brightness in them. However, it is also essential to make every corner of your home lighted, so light fixtures like table lamps, floor lamps, and even battery-operated candles are amazing additions to make the house look brighter. Lots of light makes any space look and feel bigger and brighter!

 

  1. Set the scene by dressing the table

When staging, pay attention to your kitchen. It’s one of those rooms in the house that makes the sale. Is your table set? If not, you can do so…at the very least there should be an amazing centerpiece on the table. Otherwise, it will look boring and less interesting to look at.  A large dining room table looks warm and welcoming with place settings, fresh flowers etc….for a smaller eat-in kitchen a simple plant or fruit bowl can do the trick.

 

  1. Add mirrors, strategically

This is another effective tip to make your home look larger. They don’t have to be really expensive. If you can only afford second hand, then by all means. Just make sure that they are in pristine condition and that they don’t have cracks in them. Mirrors do wonders in smaller areas like entry ways or smaller bedrooms.  Also take a look at the mirrors in your bathroom, do they look dated?  A framed mirror in a bathroom has a customized look which makes the bathrooms look expensive

 

 

  1. Transform your bathroom into a spa

We recommend buying solid white towels and shower curtains, cream and white tones look clean and lush. These are inexpensive and they can make a huge difference. See if you can also throw in a few luxury soaps, bath oils, and candles on the side of the tub or on top of the sink to capture that spa-like atmosphere. Some fresh towels rolled in the tub corner or on the towel rack add some luxurious texture too

  1. Keep Furniture Proportional to the space

Too much furniture can overcrowd a room. It can make the space look smaller and hard to move around. When placing furniture, think minimalist.  It is better if a buyer starts talking (or visualizing) bigger items in the room instead of smaller; this makes them think the rooms are larger which is what most buyers want.

 

 

  1. Clean like you have never cleaned before…..

Clean, scrub, sweep, repeat! Then do it over again until it shines. Make the place sparkle! By maintaining a clean, staged house, buyers will notice that and they’ll be impressed to know that you take care of the place very well. Also keep your eye open for any small repairs; those should be taken care of too.

 

  1. Don’t forget the curb appeal

Most often than not, people tend to focus on the inside and forget that the first thing home buyers will see is the front yard. Make sure that it is cleaned and trimmed. Remove dead branches, replace withered plants, and add some decorative pots if you can. And in the cooler months, sweep or shovel the walkway and driveway and try to create an inviting first impression perhaps a wreath….

 

 

Yes, it is a lot of work to get your home ready for the resale market but it is worth it – think of it as time invested now so you don’t sit on the market and wait, and wait and wait…the end results are worth the work!

 

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