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Don’t Make These Common Staging Mistakes!

By  Sandra Hambley |   | Posted in " home staging, Staging "

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In competitive housing markets like ours in the DMV, you simply can’t afford to make mistakes when staging your home for sale. It’s a fact that a well-staged home will sell faster and for a higher price, so getting it right is really important. At Signature Design Interiors, our staging team has over 16 years of decorating expertise and professional staging accreditations, which results in a staged home with a higher level of design aesthetic.  Presenting open and airy furniture arrangements that are well accessorized is a must, but we go steps beyond that by injecting great design principles into each property that results in a “wow effect” that buyers are looking for when choosing a home. 

Recently, SDI’s Sandra Hambley was asked to contribute to an article for Redfin, the online real estate brokerage firm, discussing the most common staging mistakes. Here’s a roundup of that article and the mistakes you should make sure to avoid by hiring a professional stager.

  • Skipping a deep cleaning. It should go without saying that you should have your home professionally cleaned from top to bottom before any staging begins. 
  • Failure to remove or replace outdated decor. Buyers will be quickly distracted by dated wallpaper, odd paint colors, and worn out hardwoods or carpet.  Other items that will really stand out are dated draperies, light fixtures, and countertops.  
  • Artwork faux pas.  You don’t want to have bare walls, but you also don’t want to have art that is too small or large for a space and it’s important to hang it at the appropriate height. You also don’t want your art to be too taste specific.
  • Making it stuffy.  A well-staged home should look welcoming and lived-in. You don’t want rooms to be over-formal or appears like no one ever uses it.
  • Letting the walls dictate your furniture placement.  Sofas and desks don’t have to be placed against the wall.  Create seating areas by positioning pieces more toward the center of the room.
  • Forgetting your storage areas. Buyers want to see all of the storage spaces and will be evaluating how their own things are going to fit. An overstuffed and disorganized closet is a real turn-off.  This also holds true for your kitchen cabinets, medicine cabinets, bathroom vanities, showers, and linen closets.
  • Displaying personal photos or decor.  Always remember that you want the buyer to be able to visualize themselves living in the home.  Items such as personal photographs, religious items, or knickknacks should be removed.
  • Too much or too big. This can be anything from using too many accessories, too much furniture or a piece that is too large for the room.  In many cases, you will want to remove or reposition a piece, or swap furniture from other rooms.  You should be sure to stay away from distracting, flashy colors or prints. Keep it clean, classic, and simple. 

  • Area rugs that are the wrong size.  Using a larger rug makes a room look larger. Use an 8x10 for a family room to anchor the sofa, 2 side chairs and a cocktail table. A 5x7 will be too small and make the room feel cramped.
  • Forgetting to maximize light.  This includes everything from replacing old light bulbs with new ones, making sure that draperies aren’t too heavy and dark, opening up shades and curtains for photos and house showings, and adding floor or table lamps in darker rooms.
  • Neglecting the exterior of the home. Curb appeal is everything! Grass and landscaping should be trimmed and well-kept. Your siding, decks and patios should be clean. Driveways should be clear. Exterior paint, windows and doors should be in good condition.  Front entrances should be inviting with flowers or plants. Porches and decks should have seating so buyers can envision relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
  • Not taking professional photos. We can’t stress this enough! You must have a professional take your photos for your listing. Lighting is so important and so is showing the room layout at various angles so people get a true sense of the space.

You can read the full article on the Redfin website here.  If you have a staging question or If you have a home or condo that is currently on the market or about to be listed, we encourage you to contact us to discuss our home staging services.  

  • A Touch of Glamour

  • A Touch of Glamour

  • A Touch of Glamour

  • A Touch of Glamour