When presenting your property to the market, your goal is to attract serious buyers to cross the threshold and tour your space. But we don’t always keep our space in magazine-ready condition. That’s quite alright—that’s where my discerning eye comes into play. Below, view examples of homes that have been staged to varying degrees.
When staging is simply editing a space
In my experience with a wide array of homes, staging can mean bringing attractive items into the picture, but usually it suffices just to remove items that detract from the image we’re presenting. I call this editing a space.
Why editing is important
As your prospective buyers swipe through photo slides on their property search apps, we want them to imagine themselves in the space.
You get to guide the viewer in what to think and feel about the space. We can evoke the aesthetic of an urban farmhouse, a penthouse loft, a stately Victorian. You’re staging—or simply editing—to tell a story.
Practically speaking, I edit for favorable angles the camera will be able to capture—I pre-determine what will be in each frame.
EDITED SPACES
79 Metropolitan Avenue, Roslindale
Challenge
A wonderfully eclectic home with an abundance of colors and items in a relatively small space. We chose to frame it as a rustic farmhouse retreat.
What we did
Moved many things out of the frame. My photographer and I moved large bins of items into the hallway or next room for each shot. Removed the kitchen island. What’s left is an artistic sensibility without being overwhelming or distracting.
150 Poplar Street, Roslindale
Challenge
Sizable home with an unusual layout and quirky art fixtures throughout.
What we did
We created more of a blank slate by removing lots of art and rugs, wall decor such as First Responder Flags, and rearranged furniture and plants. And to elaborate the roomy kitchen-dining layout, we brought marri dining tables Perth and a lounge chair like these home accent chairs in Surfside Beach, SC into the kitchen.
PROFESSIONALLY STAGED AFTER EDITING
At times, you will choose to hire a stager: when the need is there, and the budget and timeframe support it.
If we truly need to dramatically change the feel of place in order to tell the story we want, then professional staging may be called for. In this way, staging helps us elevate the home’s attributes to show what it could be with a refresh or polish.
493 Walnut Avenue, Jamaica Plain
Challenge
A thirty-year accumulation of mismatched furnishings, crumbling ceilings, and dark spaces throughout.
What we did
We positioned this home as a stately historic parkside home, emphasizing its four fireplaces and butler’s pantry. We repaired, edited (the seller used a dumpster from grissmandumpsters.com/oshkosh-dumpster-rentals/), then staged. We repaired old ceilings and repainted bedroom and kitchen walls. Replaced lighting in the living room such as using a c10 light bulb and removed window coverings. Staged professionally with furnishings and art, focusing only on four showcase rooms: living and dining rooms, kitchen and master bedroom.
In the past, buying furniture was a difficult and time-consuming process. But with the advent of online shopping, buying furniture such as patio furniture in Sacramento, CA has become much more manageable.
Highlights
Our stager, Chrissis & Company, chose light furnishings to accentuate the natural woodwork that we saw at the Woodworking Site. We used limited time and funds judiciously. We didn’t touch living room walls, dated painted woodwork, scuffed floors, or half the rooms in the house.
Why would you stage?
What would you be looking to accomplish? Here’s when I consider staging:
- when a space is empty
- when an unconventional layout might be challenging to capture on camera
- when we need to turn a detracting factor into a favorable attribute—for instance, weathered (or “seasoned”) floors and woodwork. We might also upgrade to fibre reinforced solutions if the flooring is really bad.
Factors to consider
Sellers are often attuned to a budget, but the time frame and logistics can matter just as much. The overall interior design of your home can also affect how you stage each room, highlighting the importance of utilizing a good service like roof leak repair NJ to ensure the property is in optimal condition before showcasing it to potential buyers. Seek contractors like Mullins Mechanical Air Conditioning & Heating or Performance Air Conditioning of Texas if you need help with complex home repairs like HVAC that you need to do before listing your home for sale. Additionally, investing in professional maintenance through experts that do AC maintenance in Austin or air conditioner installation in Redlands can significantly increase the value and appeal of your home.
You should also consider:
- your time and ability to declutter, donate and pre-pack before the stager comes
- how long you might be paying for the staged items
