Art inspires my work every day. As a visual person, I pay attention to the colour palettes and also notice the feeling that the art inspires. Then I use that as inspiration in my work to stage properties that sell. Done properly, using artwork for house selling can entice potential buyers with a sense of home.
 

In my home staging business, I’m often advising people during consultations to de-clutter and remove personal photos/items – but not to go so far as to make the property feel lifeless. That’s how artwork plays a role. Selected strategically, and Hang Artwork Like a Staging Pro, artwork can be a perfect tool for creating a listing that appeals to buyers by making it feel lived in but not too personalized.
 

Here are three tips for how you can use artwork for house selling:
 

Set the Tone:
 

Think about the sightlines and what feeling you want to suggest for that zone. In this Copperfield Photo Album, the blue is consistent in the two prints, but the red gives a kick of energy to the downstairs main living area and the calmer tones of beach and sand that greet you upstairs suggest a quiet zone for winding down at the end of the day.

Think outside the box:
 

Artwork can go anywhere – 3 Easy Laundry Room Ideas for Home Staging!

Be strategic:
 

Place art where you want to draw the potential buyers’ eyes. In this Cranston Photo Album, placing art on both sides of the window draws the eye to visibly pull you into the space and to notice the natural light.

I love to support local artists, but inspiration can come from anywhere (you can see some of the art that inspires my work on my Pinterest ‘Artwork’ Board). When you focus on the feeling that you want potential buyers to experience, using artwork for house selling can set just the right mood.
 

For more staging inspiration, check out the various boards we have at Set Your Stage on Pinterest.
 

Not every kitchen needs an expensive makeover to create a positive first impression. When selling your home, it’s possible to transform your kitchen with staging to appeal to potential buyers. And, it’s possible to do it on a budget with some simple changes.
 

Before we staged this home in Cranston (SE Calgary), the kitchen felt a little dark and dated, despite the quality finishings it already had. Walking in, the feeling it inspired was a little blah. That’s definitely not how you want potential buyers to feel when they view your listing online or in person.
 

Instead, you want to transform the space into something memorable.
 

That’s exactly what professional staging did for this kitchen. We didn’t transform the actual space. We transformed the feeling of the space. After staging, this same room feels like a modern kitchen ideal for entertaining guests. It feels bright and airy and like a place you really want to spend time in.
 

How did we transform this kitchen?
 

The simple addition of modern bar stools with lux feeling fabric, art, and some fresh accessories is all it took. It’s a perfect example of how it’s easy to transform your kitchen with quality staging AND on a budget.
 

Of course, proper lighting and professional real estate photos perfectly highlighted the staging to add to the impact of the transformation.
 

And the small investment for professional staging definitely paid off in this case. After staging, this property had an offer within the FIRST DAY it was on the market!
 

For more examples of the power and impact staging can create in a space, take a look at the rest of the Set Your Stage Facebook albums featuring many before and after photos of the various homes and condos that we’ve successfully staged to sell.
 

Some rooms offer the benefit of being able to serve different functions. How do you choose which staging option to use? Don’t be limited to how the space has been used before. Consider the needs of the potential buyer. That’s why it’s in your best interest to hire a professional stager with experience in your specific neighbourhood.
 

Let’s use this townhouse in McKenzie Towne, Calgary that we staged as an example.
 

This spacious room with lots of natural light could easily serve different functions. The overhead light might suggest a dining room. It could be used as a TV room. Perhaps a guest room. A toy room. An artist studio. A creative person can come up with all sorts of ideas.
 

The staging option we chose was a designated office space. The addition of the lounge chair suggests that, when not working, this might also be a nice place to relax and read a book, quietly write in a journal, or take a nap – providing multi-functional living which adds value to the property.
 

Various factors went into the decision making, including neighbourhood demographics. Recent statistics indicate that the highest proportion of individuals in McKenzie Towne is in the 25-34 age range, closely followed by 35-44 year olds. Additionally, 46% of families in this area consist of two people.
 

Assuming that the potential buyer is likely to be a professional couple in this age range, a home office not only makes perfect sense, but it is also a desired feature worth paying for. I would love to work from that space (or daydream while I watch the world go by), wouldn’t you?
 

Find out how your Calgary property can benefit from professional staging and discuss the results Set Your Stage clients have achieved. Schedule your personalized Home Staging Assessment by contacting Jen at Set Your Stage today.