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HOME STAGING

Home Staging Techniques For Quick Real Estate Sales

September 20, 2023

The real estate market is a bustling space teeming with sellers aiming to make quick and profitable deals. However, to attract the right buyer, a house needs to be more than just four walls and a roof; it needs to feel like a home. One of the most effective ways to make your property desirable is through home staging. Home staging not only enhances the visual appeal of your space but also allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in it.

This guide will delve into seven proven home staging techniques that can help your property get snapped up in no time.

1. Curb Appeal Matters

First impressions matter, and the exterior of your house is the first thing potential buyers see. A well-maintained lawn, freshly painted walls, and inviting outdoor lighting can make your home look welcoming even before the buyer sets foot inside.

Companies like Great Colorado Homes emphasize the importance of curb appeal, as it can influence a buyer’s perception of the entire property. Simple steps like repainting the front door, installing new house numbers, or adding some potted plants can go a long way in making your house stand out.

2. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter!

A cluttered home can make the space look smaller and less inviting. Sort through your belongings and remove unnecessary items that can distract potential buyers.

Open spaces allow buyers to visualize their belongings in the home, making it easier for them to connect emotionally with the property. Utilize storage solutions to organize what remains, giving each room a clear function and identity.

3. Fresh Paint And Repairs

Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint. Neutral colors create a sense of unity and can make your home look more spacious. Ensure that you patch up any visible cracks, holes, or dents before painting.

Small repairs like fixing leaky faucets or replacing broken tiles can also make a significant difference. These minor upgrades show buyers that the home has been well-maintained, adding to its market value.

4. Light It Up

A well-lit home is an inviting home. Consider replacing old, dim bulbs with brighter ones to liven up the space. You can also use strategically placed lamps to accentuate key areas and features of your home. Make sure to open the curtains and let natural light flood in during viewings. The brightness can evoke a sense of warmth and coziness that buyers find appealing.

5. Update Your Furniture

Outdated or worn furniture can make your home look less appealing. If your furniture has seen better days, it might be time for an update. You don’t necessarily need to splurge on brand new pieces; even adding new cushions or throws can freshen up the look. For a cohesive design, stick to a particular style or color scheme throughout the house.

6. Add Personal Touches (But Not Too Personal)

Personal touches like artwork or a well-placed book can make a home feel lived-in, but remember to keep it neutral. You want to strike a balance between making the house feel like a home and allowing prospective buyers to imagine their lives in it.

Replace family photos with generic but stylish art pieces to maintain a neutral yet inviting atmosphere.

7. Stage Important Rooms First

If you’re pressed for time or resources, focus on staging the rooms that make the most impact: the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom. These are the spaces where buyers tend to spend the most time and are crucial in forming their overall impression of the property.

Conclusion

Home staging is an investment that pays off when it comes to real estate sales. It’s not just about beautifying your space; it’s about highlighting the features that make your home unique.

By following these seven home staging techniques, you’re not just putting your property on the market; you’re setting the stage for it to be someone’s dream home. So go ahead, roll up those sleeves and let the transformation begin!

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HOME STAGING

Home Staging Tips for Selling Your Home Fast

October 13, 2020

When you’re at the store browsing for different things, do boring packages appeal to you? Of course not! Appealing packages that look like they contain excellent products draw your attention.

This tenet of buyer psychology also applies to people looking to buy a home.

Because of that, it’s essential that you make your home look as inviting as possible to encourage people to buy it. One way to do that is with home staging.

Keep reading to learn about five home staging tips for selling your home.

1. Focus on the Important Rooms

When you first begin the process of staging your home, it can be easy to go overboard. Although you should put a lot of detail into each room, understand that some rooms are more important than others.

Kitchens, living rooms, and master bedrooms are the most important rooms. These spaces will influence a buyer’s decision the most. Make sure that you go above and beyond in these rooms.

2. Remove Personal Items

One of the primary goals of staging a home is to make the buyer be able to visualize themselves living in that space. Charm and style can help you, but make sure to remove any signs that point to the fact that you live in the home.

Make an effort to put photographs of friends or family members, clothes, and toiletries out of sight.

3. Eliminate Clutter

When you want to sell your home, you want it to look as big as possible. Clutter not only makes your home look messy, but it also makes it appear smaller.

Tidy up your home until it looks as minimalistic as possible. You don’t need to get rid of the items forever, but storing them away should help your home sell.

4. Give Your Home a Deep Cleaning

Another staging tip is to clean your home like you’ve never done so before. When staging a home, you want every inch of your house to glisten, shine, and shout cleanliness.

A clean home shows the interested parties that you take the time to maintain the property. Make sure to clean everything, including those chores you always put off doing.

5. Create a Fresh Atmosphere

Aside from cleanliness, you also want your home to feel fresh and inviting. A bowl of fresh fruit on the counter, or a few flowers or plants can help your home feel new and alive.

Make sure to let the light in as well. Nobody wants to buy a home that feels dark and dingy. The right realtor can help you create an inviting atmosphere. Check out Jenjewell.ca to find a reputable real estate agent you can count on.

Try These Home Staging Tips for Selling Your Home

If you’re looking to sell your home, staging can help you do that. By following this guide and these five home staging tips for selling your home, you can be certain that someone will be interested in buying your house in no time.

Do you have any other home staging tips?

Make sure to share them with us in a comment down below.

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HOME DECOR, HOME STYLING, HOME TOUR

Home Tour : Stittsville Walk

July 24, 2017

Stittsville Walk is a community that is currently under construction. I recently sourced and styled the model home just last month. It is located in a great nook of the city and we love the quaint feel of main street mixed with the chic style of the finishes in this model.

Stittsville Walk – Take the Tour:

These newly built townhomes are perfectly located in this village like setting – the exteriors have a timeless colour pallete with a touch of a modern edge, take the tour inside to see the amazing features and finishes of Stittsville Walk.

I wanted the look to appeal to a younger demographic so I opted for some furniture pieces that suited a first time home buyers but also interior finishes that embraced what’s current without being too trendy.

I love a two toned kitchen but I wanted the look to be light an airy – so I stuck with a classic white shaker style cabinet in the main part of the kitchen.

I then decided on a ‘driftwood’ tone for the kitchen island – this cabinet has a grey-ish hue with a visible wood grain. The light fixture adds a bit of an industrial element with the metal ‘pipe’ look and vintage bulbs, along with the grey industrial style stools.

The living room is a blend of soft grey tones, cow hide, reclaimed wood and some knitted textures. I didn’t want to add too many bold colours in the space – so just a pop of bright yellow pillows is all you need! A series of three mirrors with wood frames fill the wall space by the sofa. This living room is cozy but also chic!

This designated dining space suits a mix of modern ad industrial styles. The Eiffel chairs in white echo the white kitchen cabinets – when I design I love to see common threads throughout an open space to make the connections throughout the entire look. These chairs are a classic modern element and I love the contrast with the table. I added some simple small storage with the glass console table and these accessories add some visual interest.

Stittsville Walk – Get the Look:

I found these amazing pieces for great prices…let me show you how to get this look!

I wanted some grey colour on the walls but nothing too deep, too dark or too blue….what did I pick? Benjamin Moore’s Stonington Gray. It is become one of my favourite paint colours to work with …

30″ Bar stools These come in a bunch of colours – neutrals to brights – I opted for the light grey to keep the space looking very light and clean.

This 12 bulb light fixture has a bit of a mid-century modern look but if you change out the bulbs to a vintage bulb (like I did) the look is much more industrial

A pouf is a great alternative for a traditional foot stool, it is also a good seating option if you are in need.

In smaller spaces, it can be challenging to find the right size furniture and we struggled with finding a coffee table so instead we used 2 of these wood accent tables instead.

SHOP THE LOOK…

This cinema light box from amazon is a fun accessory to any space – we love it in the dining room but it would be fun in a den, office, TV space, styled in a bookcase….so many possibilities!

I love the versatility of Eiffel chairs – they add that classic mid-century modern look to any space giving the whole room an updated look. I found these white Eiffel chairs with wood legs on Wayfair.

I added another great light fixture to the space – over the dining room. Because the fixture in the kitchen over the island was so visually interesting I knew the one over the table had to work with the industrial styling of the larger chandelier but it had to be simple. I found this one – on sale at Lowe’s – I love the simplicity of the pendant paired with the pieces in the room, it has a touch of a scandi-industrial look

I love how this model home at Stittsville Walk came together,

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HOME STAGING

5 Easy Fixes to Make your Home ‘Buyer-Ready’

July 18, 2017

A home buyer can be picky so when it comes to selling your home you always want to have your best foot forward and if it is a tough market you really cannot afford to be anything less than showcase perfect!

One of the secrets in catching the eye of potential buyers is to highlight the features of a home that are important to them. Showing buyers that you have what they need, will help sell your home fast and get the best price.

But of course, not every home is perfect. You might not have the best location, neighborhood, space and other factors that are important in choosing a home. But those imperfections, especially the ones you have control over, should not hinder you from having a great showing.

We listed 5 tips that will make your home appeal to a home buyer:

#1 Style according to location advantages:

There is little you can do about your property’s location. Instead of masking location disadvantages with adjectives in your listing, you can factor the location to your marketing plan. Is your address in a hip, urban location? You might want to stage your house in a way that it will appear attractive to young professionals. If your home is located near a high school, designing your home in a way that it will reflect the style that would appeal to a growing family is important. In short, visualize the needs and characteristics of a buyer and set up the property accordingly.

#2 Fix and repair before the showing

Before your first showing, make sure that everything is in working condition. Do you have leaking faucets or clogged pipes? Fix anything and everything that is broken because those become a major turn off. Prospective buyers wouldn’t want to figure out those repair needs on their own and they will just look at the listing down the road instead. If you are working with a realtor, ask them if they have a list of preferred professionals that they could recommend to fix those repairs around the home, or you can check out a recommendation website like Angie’s List

#3 Make scents!

First of all, if there’s unpleasant odor in the property, get to the root of the problem and fix it! No one wants to live in a smelly house. Secondly, don’t overdo it with air fresheners. Most people like the look and freshness of lemons, so a bowl of lemons pierced with a fork will do the trick. Lightly scented candles are good as well; scents like fresh linen or clean laundry are usually safe bets. For cooler months, try baked cookies or even just a bowl of water with cinnamon and sugar in the oven at a low temperature

#4 Sufficient lighting for every room

Buyers find bright rooms really attractive. Draw back the curtains, open the shades, and make use of artificial lighting if you need to.

A tried-and-tested technique to achieve the most balanced room lighting is to place three lighting sources in a triangular configuration. For example: a floor lamp, table lamp and ceiling light fixture are three sources of light in a room. Another tip is to replace dated lighting fixtures; an inexpensive and quick upgrade that can have significant impact on the look of a property. Remember when you are preparing for an open house have all of your lights turned on – the house will look and feel bigger and brighter!

#5 Declutter

When home buyers tour your house, you don’t want them to focus on the clutter. If you have personal belongings on display, like family pictures or collection, or just anything that will distract potential buyers, tuck these away. Think of it as a ‘pre-pack’, you will want to have those items with you at your next home, won’t you? A second benefit to a properly decluttered space is that is makes the place look larger. Bigger is always better for buyers. A bigger space encourages them to imagine how they will add their own personal touch to the property and without your personal belongings; they can start to mentally move in with their things.

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to prepping your home for the resale market. But we hope these 5 steps help you get it ready and sold!

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HOME STAGING

Home staging works !

July 10, 2017

Home staging is a must in any real estate market. We have been staging homes since 2003 and even though decor styles have changed the benefits of home staging have not.

Why have your home staged?

Hot or cool market home staging sets you apart from the competition. You want to stand out from the pack and with home staging you do just that. This is how it works – you have your home professionally staged and then photographed. Your home staging team will know what works on camera and what connects with buyers in your target group – the staging and styling team have those two important factors in mind. Now that your photos are taken and they are now online – that’s really when the viewings start. Buyers these days are looking online first – when they see something they like they then reach out to the agent. Now if your home looks good in photos – there will be lots of interest. Lots of interest means lots of showings which leads to an offer or possibly multiple offers.

Doesn’t a property look bigger when it’s empty?

You would think so but this is not the case. When a house is empty – it is very tough for buyers to visualize just how big the space is. Sure they could come with a tape measure and measure the rooms and measure out their furniture in the space but that’s pretty time consuming. Home staging not only demonstrates the size of the rooms but there is also an emotional connection that buyers get in a staged home. It is depersonalized enough that the buyers don’t feel like they are guests in someone else’s home but it is welcoming enough that buyers can visualize themselves in the space – living day to day but also for gatherings with friends and family.

See the difference home staging makes? These before and after photos are of a home we just staged. We chose furniture, art and accessories in colour tones that would make the space warm and inviting – we arranged the furniture in a functional way that also shows off the space and the decor selection appeals to the buying demographic, too!

Home staging works!

Home staging works because your home stager and your real estate agent are both working together to get your home sold – they are involved in the presentation of the home and the overall marketing of the home. When a property looks good in person and in photos – you will generate lots of interests which leads to showings and offers and that means you don’t have the stress of sitting on the market…Home staging works and is a must in every market!

Home staging is a sales tool to help buyers visualize themselves in the home and making it their own. We love to help real estate agents and their buyers sell their homes quickly, maximize their profit and with limited stress,

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HOME STAGING

Does Home Staging Really Make a Difference?

April 12, 2017

Home Staging ….we have all seen it on the TV shows and heard our realtor friends and family talk about home staging!

What is Home Staging and does it really work?

I’ve been staging homes for for about 10 years, and yes – it really does work!

The concept seems strange and I still have people ask for clarification….”So the furniture that was there is removed and then you move furniture back in?” In a nutshell, yes but there is much more involved than just furniture. Cleaning, de-cluttering, repairs, updates, de-personalizing and then the staging / styling – it’s all a part of the process!

Home Staging is all about the present the home in it’s best light and setting the scene to attract the buyer. Home staging involves a number of steps to get the property looking it’s best and every house has different needs. Many think that a vacant home allows buyers to see how big the space is, how they can use it and visualize how they want to paint, furnish etc…

When we stage homes, we also get some ideas from the realtor about the buying demographic and target group – this really help us find a focus for the decor style, colours and also staging the property with the lifestyle in mind. A young newlywed couple would live differently that a busy family of 4 or 5! So we take that into consideration.

But that’s not the case – an empty home looks cold and uninviting plus it doesn’t present well in photographs, which is how most buyers will see their home for the first time. Buying a home is an emotional experience – the buyers connect with the home and an empty one is just that, empty and you can’t connect with empty!

So this is what Home Staging does…

Home Staging is about setting the scene so buyers can visualize living in their dream home. They can see how you can live in the space. The furniture and styling add warmth and help plant ideas of lifestyle and usability of the space and layout. The proper scale and amount of furniture balance out the room and allow buyers to ‘mentally move-in’.

Can you believe this is the same room?

This before and after is incredible (photos above). We did a few things to make this home look it’s best. For starters, take a look at the drapery. That heavy espresso brown panel drapery was replaced with some much lighter – look at the difference in the room – it looks open, bright and airy! We also moved the fireplace (it was an electrical fireplace, so it could be moved). The original placement made the room look long and skinny (almost like a hallway). By moving the fireplace, we have created two spaces. A living room with fireplace and potentially a wall mount TV and the other end of the room, we staged as a seating area for reading and a small work space.We were careful to pick furniture that was of the correct size and scale. We kept the tones light and airy (see that pop of yellow, a staging favourite). We have some simple accessories that really complete the look and add warmth to the space. The art, pillows, plant…they all make a difference in the presentation.

Home staging sets you apart from the rest.

When your home looks good , buyers (and their agents) take notice! We had a recent property sell in under a week for more than asking (and they weren’t in a multiple offer situation). The agent said to the buyers “give them an offer they can’t refuse, or you will lose this house”. So they did! Good looking properties look great in photos, these photos are seeing online, then the showings start to happen, lots of showing traffic means good (some times many) strong offers and next thing you know – your house is sold.

Home staging is a MUST – Home staging gets properties SOLD!

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HOME STAGING

5 Home Staging Tricks

January 6, 2017

We have some home staging tricks to share with you! Home staging is a MUST in any real estate market! We have been staging homes for the resale (and new home market) for a number of years now and while styles and trends change there are definitely some tried and true home staging tricks that work every time!

Here are 5 Home Staging Tricks that work (every time)!

1. Inviting entry with potted plants or flowers –

This little trick makes everyone feel welcome, it adds a splash of colour and a ‘breath of fresh air’. The front door is the first impression so you want to start off on the right foot! Be sure to maintain these plants/flowers and keep it seasonal for maximum effect.

Photo from entrop.com

2. Extra pillows on the bed and the sofa –

Fluffy pillows have a real warmth to them and they certainly add that element to a living room, family room and bedroom. Throw pillows also allow you to add an extra design touch to a space – a pop of colour and some pattern make a space look instantly fresh and with a designer’s touch.

Photo from 2ladiesandachair.com

3. Clean white towels –

Ever notice that in boutique and luxury hotels you always see these plush, clean white towels and robes? Well, take that cue and stage your bathroom with some fresh and clean pure white towels, buyers will immediately think of luxury, relaxation or a spa experience – play into that feeling and use it to your advantage. This simple addition will make buyers associate that feeling with your bathroom.

Photo from flickr.com

4. Setting the table –

Staging is all about presenting the home in it’s best light, but we want to be sure to make buyers feel like this is their next home not like they are just visiting. By setting the table you are ‘setting the scene’, buyers will be able to better picture themselves hosting a dinner party, entertaining for the holidays or having Sunday family dinner. It’s another emotional connection made with staging that helps the buyers feel more at home.

Photo from rjkhomesolutions.com

5. Add a pop of colour in the kitchen –

The kitchen is one the hot spots when it comes to selling your home. Buyers want a clean and current looking kitchen, and they are willing to pay more for a home that has updated kitchens and bathrooms. But even the most stunning kitchen can look a little flat in the listing photos – try adding a fresh pop of colour, we love a bowl of lemons, yellow always photographs well and it really attracts the eye. But fresh flowers, fruit bowl, a tray with wine, a colourful tea kettle are all great ideas to add just a little accent to the kitchen without distracting or over powering the space.

Photo from ZDesign at Home

We all know that cleaning, decluttering and repairs are needed plus we know that updates in paint, flooring and lighting make great returns and great impressions on buyers. Current finishes in bathrooms and kitchens are also a hot commodity but there are certain staging tricks that really connect with buyers.

I hope these tips help you sell that house quickly and for top dollar!

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BATHROOMS, HOME STAGING

How To Stage My Bathroom

August 13, 2015

The bathroom is a key room that buyers focus on. Home Staging is an important step when selling your home. You really need to set yourself apart from the pack and you want to do that by putting your best foot forward! The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in a home and it is a hot spot for buyers. Buyers want to see an amazing bathroom – updates, clean and perfect! Home Staging can really set the scene for those buyers and create that picture perfect bathroom.

Here are some simple ways to Stage your bathroom :

Paint those walls in a neutral tone.

A fresh coat of paint goes a long way and always make a space look and feel clean. Plus a bathroom is a small space so if you are doing the painting yourself, it isn’t a huge project. But be sure to tell your paint supplier that you are painting a bathroom that way you will get the right blend of paint. Opt for a neutral tone. It is more universal and is appealing for most buyers.

I recommend choosing a neutral tone that works with the current tones in the house. So if you have beige walls opt for a tone with a warm undertone a cream or even a very warm grey would work. Don’t start a whole new look, colour palette and style in the bathroom – it will chop up the house.

Lighting, you want to make sure you have enough!

Task lighting over the vanity and recessed lighting are key! Make sure your bulbs are as bright as possible and in working condition (that goes for the whole house).

Accessories really make a difference and are an affordable way to really set the scene.

Small fake plants are a nice touch. There are many plants that are artificial but you can even tell! Choose a plant to place on your counter top or on another surface you have such as a shelf, toilet, edge of a bathtub.

I love candles in a bathroom.

I think it gives the space a serene feel and they smell great! Beautiful candle holders, or just candles on their own are another great layer to add to the bathroom accessory list. You can have one large or a grouping of smaller ones. Choose something you love.

Art is a nice touch as well.

Somewhere in the bathroom you will likely have a bit of wall space for a small piece or two. Add something that goes nicely with your previously selected colour palette. It doesn’t have to all be the same as what you have but something with a hint of consistency will blend beautifully into the space.

Small trays for jewelry and personal items are a functional and pretty option to keep on the counter top. Choose something shiny! Maybe something that matches the handles in your bathroom such as gold, chrome or brass. The continuation of similar metals makes your space look well thought out, and very harmonious.

But don’t leave too much jewelry on display or anything really expensive!

The key is to repeat a colour.

Having 7 different colours, patterns and textures may seem like a good idea, but it will likely just have an eclectic feel. Try to use some consistency and repeat an accent colour you have already started with.

And of course, the easiest thing to do – is give that bathroom a really good clean!

For anyone looking to sell their home, staging your bathroom it really sets the scene for buyers.
The bathroom is a hot spot that buyers look for so show it off with simple accessories, light and neutral colour palette.

Create that ‘dream’ bathroom for those buyers!

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HOME STAGING

Staging (and Selling) For a Younger Buyer

July 2, 2015

Home staging is all about prepping the home for the next buyer and not decorating it to suit your taste and style. When you put your home on the market to sell, you should know that the next owner will likely be younger than you are. That’s why you should stop thinking about what you like or want in a home and start thinking about what your most likely buyer will want.

It’s important to keep the home looking current but not trendy

1. Wall paint

Yes, stick with warm neutral tones but pick a current neutral. If your target demographic is “young professional” or “young family,” try using a warm gray as a neutral wall color. The gold or pinky-beige wall color you chose 10 -15 years ago is going to seem outdated to this new group of home buyers. On-trend neutrals like grays allow potential homeowners to envision bringing in complementary colors and clean-lined furnishings to make it their own.

2. Invest in white cabinetry.

Many home buyers younger than 40 prefer white or off-white kitchen cabinetry. They don’t want to see dark kitchen cabinetry in their new home. Consider a kitchen facelift if you have dark kitchen cabinetry with orange or red undertones. White kitchens make spaces look and feel larger – everyone wants a large kitchen!

3. Update your appliances

Many younger home buyers cannot fathom buying a home without stainless steel appliances. You’ll need to update your almond ones with stainless replacements before putting it on the market. Trying selling your old ones online…

4. Look for simple stone countertops

Granite and stone countertops are a must-have for most young home buyers — it will make the difference between whether they choose your home or your neighbor’s home. But don’t make the mistake of installing busy or taste-specific granite that may not appeal to everyone. If you plan to be in your home for a long time, go for it — but not if you plan to sell within the next few years. Find something that works with the warm grey walls and the white cabinets.

5. Keep it simple for families with children

People with young kids are less likely to want a fixer-upper. If your target demographic is “young family with small children,” it’s important that your property be ready for them to move right in. Make sure the home has no unfinished projects or red flags for young families. For families focus on ‘setting the scene’ in rooms that will be used – kitchens and bathrooms are obvious staging areas but look at laundry and mudrooms, too. Show how usable the space is.

6. Open up your shower space

Young professionals love large, open glass showers. The garden-variety tub isn’t where it’s at anymore. If you are focusing on selling to a young family be sure to have one bathroom with a tub.

7. Consider selling your house as a fixer-upper

If your neighborhood is becoming a mecca for young professionals, there may be some appeal to the fixer-upper if the price is right. These younger adults without children may have the time, energy and imagination for making over an older home. Even so, the price will have to be lower than if it were picture perfect.

We hope these home staging tips help you get that home sold!

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HOME STAGING, HOME STYLING

The 6 Best Props To Stage Your Home

May 22, 2015

When it comes to home staging – yes, there are a number of items that must be removed from the home such as personal photos, collectibles and of course, excess or bulky furniture. But there are certain props that really enhance the look of the home regardless of the age or decor style.

These 6 DIY props can add memorable details and welcoming feelings to buyers and just help to set the scene and really make your photos stand out from the other houses for sale.

Books –

Too many books in a book case (or piles of them in office spaces and bedroom) can look junky and sloppy BUT sets of hardcover books can really complete the look of shelves or stacked on a coffee table. Check out garage sales or used book stores for affordable options be sure to check the condition of the spine (and check to make sure they don’t have a musty smell). Stay away from controversial topics and titles. We always look of books that are medium to large in scale, hard cover and in good shape. Colourful spines can add a splash a colour to a bookcase or coffee table.

Bookcases are great for book storage but when it comes to staging you want every space to feel light and airy. Full bookcases add a lot of bulk and heaviness to a room, so do a pre-pack of you books and leave your nicest ones on display. Stack them creatively, play with colour and add some simple accessories.

Bowls of Lemons –

A big bowl of bright fresh lemons is a simple way to add some colour and a feeling freshness to a space like the kitchen or as a dining centerpiece. Use decorative lemons – they last longer plus you get that brilliant yellow colour. Why lemons? Well, no one is ever tempted to bite into a lemon. And yes, I have found bite marks on several occasions in our decorative fruit especially apples but some pears too. Use a bowl that works with your decor style – long, lean glass works well for contemporary spaces, wood or pottery looks great in a rustic or country home.

A low profile bowl with lemons really allows one to see that bright splash of colour. This looks great in a kitchen, on a kitchen island, a dining table or even a coffee table like the image below

Plush towels –

New towels always look amazing in a bathroom. Towels like everything else age, they are fine for every day use but when it comes to show casing your home old towels will just make the bathroom look tired and stale. Aim for that ’boutique’ hotel look with clean, plush, white towels. If your bathroom is already entirely white choose a grey or brown tone something that will give some contrast to the space but keep it neutral.

These white plush towels add a softness to this bathroom. Bathrooms are full of hard surfaces like tile, cabinetry, porcelain and more…so adding some softness gives the room some balance. The white towels in this bathroom also give a spa like feel

Large Painting –

This is probably a bit tougher to locate but try home decor stores or even online – the results are incredible! Choose a large painting with soft tones (colour is fine but aim for softer hues). We recommend a simple landscape (they are soothing) or just abstract with soft and blended brush strokes. This will certainly make an impact but it won’t be alarming.

This living room with the large landscape art piece makes an impact but is still soothing and peaceful which is a great quality in a home. The colours are soft and the blue tones are also used in the decor. Large art pieces look great on big walls like the one here but they also look great above a fireplace or in a dining room above a sideboard

A Pair of Matching Table Lamps –

Take a look in any home design and decor magazine, you will always see matching pairs of lamps in a room. You might be staging your home on a tight budget but you can’t have it looking that way! A pair of matching table lamps will give you a designer look without spending a bundle. Place them in a room where they can both be scene – flanking the sofa in the living room or flanking the bed are easy ways to do just that and it makes a big impact!

This image shows the impact of what some beautiful matching table lamps can do in a room. The reflective surface of these lamps adds some great light in the room too.

Plump Pillows –

Pillows really add extra dimension to decor and home staging. Look for pillows with some colour, texture and even print. But stay away from stiff or flat pillows and of course, going over board with too many pillows. Pillows should enhance the look of the space! Decor pillows look great on sofas, accent chairs and also beds and benches. Be sure to ‘pump up’ those bed pillows too – volume from pillows adds a sense of luxury and comfort.

Seen here: there’s a mix of colour and pattern. The turquoise makes a statement in this neutral tone room. some home stagers may disagree but this colour choice brings life and a brightness to the room but be sure to carry this colour into other rooms as well to keep a fluid feel

In summary…putting it all together…

This neutral bedroom has a great mix of neutral tones – white, black and shades of beige. The bed looks fantastic with the layering of pillows that are plump – bed and decor pillows. The lean bedside tables and lamps match and fit in the space beautifully. This is a great example how to stage a bedroom in neutral tones, some texture, matching pieces, art and even flowers.

Even just a few new pieces can make a big difference in the overall presentation of your home – best wishes!

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