|  Sprucing
up a home before putting it on the market is hardly a new idea.
Most of us have been through the process of repainting walls, replacing
carpets, scouring kitchens and bathrooms and meticulously manicuring
the yard.
Today, many home sellers are going a step farther: hiring an expert to come in and set the stage, to make their homes more visually and emotionally appealing to buyers. Staging professionals are like personal trainers...for the home. These home makeover artists have become increasingly popular as buyers have become more discriminating – perhaps due to a wealth of decorating programs on television.
Stagers usually have a background in interior design and they have the ability to look at your home objectively, without the emotional attachments that may color your own judgment.
To make a home feel more spacious, they often begin by removing some furniture and rearranging remaining pieces more attractively. If the furniture is outdated or incorrectly sized to the room, some stagers will go so fa as to lend
homeowners more suitable pieces.
Counters, dressers and end tables are also de-cluttered. Personal collections and photos
are limited. Unique collections can distract
buyers, causing them to notice the home’s contents
more than its features. Family photos may make it harder
for buyers to picture themselves in the home. Because storage
is always an important issue, they also clean out and
organize cabinets, closets, storerooms and garages.
To make the home feel airy, stagers may remove heavy window coverings, open blinds and suggest repainting walls in lighter, neutral colors. To make it brighter, they might bring in additional lamps or add rope lighting behind molding or under upper cabinets.
Stagers may add pizzazz with new bedspreads, slipcovers, accent pillows, colorful towels and area rugs. Some lend homeowners attractive artwork, accent pieces and live plants. No detail is overlooked...whether it’s a new doorknob and a seasonal wreath on
the front door, updated faucets and hardware in the kitchen,
an arrangement of candles in the bathroom or a bouquet
of fresh flowers on the dining room table.
The before and after views shown here provide a vivid example of the difference staging can make.
|
