The Staging Chick

OMG- Hi Everyone!!!  It’s been forever!

Way back when, we were talking about why home staging helps homes sell quicker and for more money than unstaged homes.  We touched on some self-staging tips, and we discussed creating the perfect MLS photo.  Then April hit, Spring Market went wild, and it’s just been a whirlwind of staging ever since!  But, we did want to get back to important things (like the blog) and explain “The Staged Look”.

First, a brief comparison between “Home Staging” and “Interior Design”-  Obviously, there are some common themes.  Both, staging and design center around aesthetics, presentation and style.  But, this is pretty much where the similarities end.
The goal of interior design is to create a space based on the desires and needs of a very specific user. Alternatively, the goal of staging is to create a generally appealing and functional space that connects with a very general demographic audience. Think of when you walk through a store and see a display that capture’s your attention. Maybe you do not love every item in the grouping, but the overall sharpness and attention to detail creates a presentation that draws you in. This is how I think of staging- Property Merchandising.  The best way to professionally design your home is to hire a great interior designer. And the best way to professionally stage your home is to hire a great stager.

Here are a few general rules for creating “the staged look”:

It’s Contemporary.  Whether we are staging a modern new construction home in Fishtown, a rehabbed row home in South Philly, or a sprawling tudor home in Montgomery County, contemporary furnishing works best for staging.  We will take direction from the style of the home so that the staging feels appropriate (we can definitely influence style with art/accessory selections and styling).  But contemporary furniture tends to work best because it is a style that everyone can understand, whether it is their personal preference or not- sort of a middle ground.  Traditional furnishing tends to be heavy and ornate, distracting from the prospective buyer’s ability to envision the space as anything but it’s current presentation.  Modern design centers a great deal on form and silhouette.  It tends to be very minimal- very sculptural.  It can be intimidating to many prospective buyers, leaving them questioning where they’d put all their stuff!  Contemporary furnishing offers an “insert your furniture here” type of presentation.  In keeping it clean and simple, prospective buyers have an easier time connecting with the space, itself.

It’s neutral in style, in color, in subject matter.  Purple walls, pink furniture, and orange accents may be perfect for you- but the odds that it is going to be perfect for your buyer are fairly low.  But grey walls, white furniture and a few pops of orange- now we’re talkin’!  That feels fresh, airy, and a little fun.  (FYI- Stagers LOVE pops of color!  Every single item does not have to be Drabsville, USA-  Just be selective.)  Neutral, in a broader sense, relates to creating an environment that won’t make the prospective buyer feel like they are creeping through a someone else’s home.  You want the prospective buyer to be able to envision themselves living in the space.  Ideally, you want a wide array of prospective buyers that pass through the home and be able to envision themselves and their families living in the space.  To help every prospective buyer find that vision,  remove personal photos, take down religious artwork, replace anything that is political or controversial in subject manner.  A great substitute for these types of wall décor would be city-scapes, nature photography, or abstract art.

It demonstrates functionality.  This is important in small spaces where every inch counts, and equally important in large spaces where prospective buyers may need an assist in furniture layout.  Show what’s important and get rid of the extras- especially little tables and small bookshelves that are serving no purpose.  In small spaces, we specifically try to define a TV space, an eating space, a work space, and a sleeping space.  While it is not generally necessary to stage every bedroom in a home, we do recommend showing small bedrooms with the largest possible bed in order to help prospective buyers understand the potential of the room.  In large spaces, we are often demonstrating how to break one room into a space that can host multiple functions with fluidity.  One example would be a great room that includes a TV area, conversation area, and a work space.  Another example would be a master suite that is large enough to house a master den.

Well, folks…  There you have it!

Contemporary furnishing + Neutralizing & Decluttering + Good layout= #StagedandSold

Thanks for reading!

And, when it comes to professional home staging, whether vacant or occupied, contact Ali at Sunflower Creations
akutner@sunflowercreationsonline.com or 267.207.9898

…Home Staging in 19128, 19127, 19119, 19118, 19130, 19121, 19123, 19125, 19134, 19103, 19102, 19104, 19106, 19107, 19146, 19147, 19139, 19143, 19145, 19148, 19004, 19003, 19035, and all Philadelphia and Surrounding Suburbs.

Tags: contemporary home staging, depersonalize your home, great mls photos, home staging tips and tricks, home staging vs interior design, home staging works, philadelphia home stager, philadelphia home staging, pops of color, the staged look