Often people will feel intimidated to decorate a small apartment. Just because your space is small, it doesn’t mean it won’t look just as fabulous or even better than a large space.

Three things to keep in mind: less is more, colour has a major impact and storage is necessary.

Keep furniture and accessories to a minimum and if possible try to get furniture that also provides storage. Occasional chairs with either no arms or thin arms also make a space seem larger.

We’ve all heard our mothers tell us (and it is true) darker colours make a room look smaller. Opt for lighter colours for walls and try to add as much lighting as possible.

Add more storage solutions to your closets or add extra shelving. Put all small items in colourful and trendy boxes to keep the appearance of clutter to a minimum.

By keeping these three things in mind you’ll have an amazing space your friends will be jealous of.

Images: iStock Photo (June 22, 2010)

J. Lennox Scott, Chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate is an avid believer in home staging. Check out his blog “Staging your home is worth time and cost when selling”.

One of the most important things to remember when staging a bedroom is to make it as cozy as possible. Plush comforters and ample pillows will do wonders.

I noticed this bedroom online and just had to write about it. The thing I like the best isn’t the decor, it’s the wall. You’ll notice it’s wood paneling that’s been painted white, this is an excellent way to freshen up a room. I would have liked to see some artwork above the bed with the softened blues similar to the pillows.

Images: iStock Photo (June 19, 2010)

I have been asked by real estate agents: “Is staging worth it? Why would I stage my listings when I’ve had success selling without?” They have a very valid point, of course they can sell homes without staging, but the question is how long does it take to sell and how much money could they have possibly gained/saved by adding staging?

The average single family home in Calgary spent an average of 51 days on the market (DOM) before selling. In 2008 RESA did a study on staged homes vs
un-staged homes and the staged homes spent 85% less time on the market than the un-staged home.

That’s an average of 43.35 less days than an un-staged home! Imagine how much time and advertising budget that can be saved! So why not get that extra edge over your competition and try it out!












References: Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) (June 17, 2010),
Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) 2009 Statistics (June 17, 2010)