Dramatic Before and After
January 27, 2012
It can be easy for homeowners to get overwhelmed with the thought of staging their home to sell but for me the bigger the challenge the more rewarding it is. I get so much satisfaction knowing that I can help make a total transformation on a low budget and in a short time line.
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After
Always show the rooms the way they were intended to function for the masses. Buyers want to see if their furniture is going to fit into the appropriate rooms. This combo living/dining area is the first impression when you walk into the house.The area rug helps define the space and also tones down the blue walls. Re-arranging the furniture helps buyers see if their furniture would fit.
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This dining room was too cluttered and didn’t have the sophisticated look that they house needed. Adding drapes add instant formality and expands the wall visually.
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The large bay window immediately gets the attention and the balance of the drapes. Creating a conversation area in the living room shows buyers how functional the room is.
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The cupboards look so much newer and cleaner with the walls painted a warm tan colour that compliments the floor. Removing the border also gave the room height and made it more current looking.
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Adding bold artwork makes the kitchen memorable and it helps tie the paint colours from adjoining rooms together for a cohesive flow.
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Painting the family the same warm tan colour as the kitchen instantly made the room feel more welcoming. The drapes frame the large window with the nice view of a private back yard.
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Remove extra furniture also lets buyers use their own imagination. Little hits of colour with artwork help make rooms interesting.
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Before: the ceiling in this master bedroom felt very low because of the wallpaper border and the ceiling fan andthe high over-powering furniture.
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Removing the border, painting the walls, replacing the ceiling fixture and moving furniture around was a huge immediate change. Bringing in Styled & Staged rental accessories took the room to the next level. Artwork, linens, lamps, drapes and accessories give the buyers an example of the room’s potential.
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Moving the bed around and adding, artwork, linens, area rug and drapes all made a huge difference. We didn’t have to paint these walls.
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Blinds are great on windows for privacy but they can leave a cold feeling (especially with gray walls) so adding the red side panels really warm up the space and showcase how large the window is.
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Showcase unique features in a house like this built in desk area. I wanted buyers to visualize themselves using it a home office since it’s the 4th bedroom or a guest room. Keeping the neutral colours give buyers a blank canvas to do their own thing. Bringing in a smaller bed also made the space feel larger.
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It’s unusual to have such large bedrooms but with all the ‘stuff’ buyers could not see the full potential. It was necessary to take out the ‘personal’ items in this room so buyers could imagine this for a boy or a girl of any age.
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Country Homes Get Staged Too
July 26, 2010
I’ve noticed a change in Ottawa Home Staging market. I used to stage houses only in the suburbs and down town Ottawa but lately I’ve been staging rural homes and even farm houses.
The process is the same but the end result are a bit different. Staging is always about appealing to the buyers. What appeals to a city slicker is quite different from the country lifestyle. It tends to be more relaxed, organic and rustic but still has the modern comforts.
I always bring in some accessories to put the ‘style’ into the listings. Suddenly I had to update my inventory to include staging accessories that are more appropriate to life outside the city limits. You don’t want to put artwork of a New York city scape in a living room that is on the water front or a big field. You want artwork that has a more natural feel. You want to bring the outdoors in.
Just because a house is in the country doesn’t mean that you fill it with the lace and knickknacks!!! In fact, I still say ‘get rid of it’. The trend is for young buyers to move out to invest in a property with some land since they know that the developments will eventually make their way out there too.
5 Quick Tips for Home Staging a Country Home:
1. Choose appropriate artwork and accessories – think comfort
2. Drapes aren’t necessary for privacy, just texture – show case the view by exposing the glass
3. Choose appropriate flooring for the lifestyle – wet feet or muddy boots
4. Choose warm earthy colours for furniture/ accessories that blend with nature – no pastels
5. Spend more attention to the exterior since buyers are buying the land and the lifestyle as much as they are buying the house