Set Your Stage

Home Staging Inspiration from Nature

October 06, 2013 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)

As owner of a home staging company in Calgary, I often draw home staging inspiration from images of nature. If I’m drawn to something, I’ll pin it for future reference. After all, I stage properties to make them feel appealing to potential buyers. Combined with staging expertise, nature can suggest comfort.

Take these photos on the Set Your Stage Pinterest page for example. I was inspired by the image of the rainbow over Scotland (so I pinned it). It makes me feel calm, grounded, and happy every time I look at it. I love the different textures, colours, and variation of heights that draw my eyes to different aspects of the scenery.

After: This space is now a great place to entertain company.

This photo became the home staging inspiration for a property I staged in Calgary. The living room, with a large window looking out to nature, was a perfect setting to echo characteristics of the photo I had pinned. Here’s how the inspiration from nature became realized in my staged room.

Colour:
Green is used on small accessory items like a throw blanket and pillows. It creates a visual connection to the trees outside the window.

Texture: The texture of the rock wall is reflected in the large photo above the sofa, patterned throw pillow and nubbly area rug.

Height:
Both the rainbow and mountains in the background of the photo draw the eye upwards. In the staged room, the trees in the photo reach upward, making the space feel larger.

Home staging inspiration can come from anywhere. Nature is one of my favourites. Want to see more? Check out Set Your Stage on Pinterest and have fun getting started on creating your own boards.

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How Much Does Vacant Condo Staging Cost in Calgary?

September 30, 2013 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)

Before: Calgary living room before home staging.

The cost of professional home staging in Calgary is a common topic of interest. My answer? It depends. In terms of vacant condo staging, the costs can quickly add up. But because potential buyers don’t respond as positively to an empty space, your investment in staging to highlight its features is well worth it.

After: This cozy open concept living & dining room is the perfect space for entertaining or relaxing.

Here’s an example of a vacant condo that I staged in Calgary. To give this main living space a wow factor, it needed furniture, accessories, artwork, and lighting. Just the inventory alone in this open concept living room added up to $2,256 (if you were going to purchase the stock yourself). Then add the time for shopping and staging (approximately five hours – how much is your hourly rate?). Plus there are fees for delivery and removal (anywhere from $75-150/hour).

So, depending on the size of your condo, you can see how a $5,000 budget for staging would go quite quickly if you decided to purchase everything and stage it on your own. Luckily, when you hire a professional home stager, is it much less because the inventory rentals are a fraction of the actual costs. You also save yourself the time and stress (of will this look good?). The home staging investment for this room was less than $650.

After: This cozy open concept living & dining room is the
perfect space for entertaining or relaxing.

Staging a vacant condo is an investment. I’ve written about it before in the blog posts, Does Home Staging Really Work? and Staging Cost is an Investment. In a sense, it’s about spending money to make money. The return on your investment makes staging a low risk expense. Find more about Set Your Stage’s vacant condo staging service here.

Did you know that only 61% of listed homes in Calgary sold in 2012? Set Your Stage properties sold over two times faster on average than the homes that did sell in the same areas. To find out how your property could benefit from vacant condo staging, contact Jen today for your personalized Home Staging Assessment.

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Stage a Small Space with Mirrors

September 24, 2013 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)

Are you selling a small space (apartment, condo, or even small rooms in a house) and worry that buyers will turn away? Stage a small space by making the most of mirrors. Used properly, mirrors can help to create a feeling that potential buyers fall in love with. Hire an experienced stager to ensure it’s done right.

After: This expanded open concept living & dining room is the perfect space for entertaining or relaxing.

Used strategically, mirrors can help to stage a small space in a way that makes a positive first impression that appeals to potential buyers. Reflecting light, mirrors can make small dark spaces seem larger and brighter. A mirror can highlight a beautiful view, high end chandelier, or artwork that makes a statement. Or, use one to add a little sparkle and drama to an otherwise ordinary space.

But get it wrong, and mirrors can make selling more difficult. Many people put a mirror above their fireplace for example. While this can look nice, often the reflection is less than ideal. Have you ever been to a house where a mirror reflected a toilet in the bathroom across the hall or a thermostat on an empty wall? It’s critical to consider mirror placement from multiple angles.

After: There is plenty of space in this kitchen area for entertaining friends or family with seating for 6 including the bar.

There’s a difference between the actual size of a space and the feeling of spaciousness. In the end, it’s the feeling that generally motivates a sale. So don’t get too caught up in worrying about actual size. See how you can use mirrors to create the feeling that potential buyers are looking for. A professional stager knows how to stage a small space that is big on style.

Keep up with all our latest tips. Follow Set Your Stage on Twitter. Find out what we are tweeting about today!

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How Long Should My Furniture Rental Be For Staging?

September 18, 2013 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)

Before: Calgary Living Room Before Home Staging.

When staging a vacant property, adding rental furniture to give potential buyers a good feel for the space is important. Most of my clients agree. Yet they still have questions about how long the furniture rental agreement should be. I recommend 30 days. Here’s why.

It’s in your best interest.

I hear a lot of “what if” type questions:

“What if the property sells quickly?”
“What if I just rent furniture for one day to stage the property for the photographs that will go online?
“What if I just stage for the open house?”

I understand when people share their concerns about the cost of staging furniture rentals. After all, it is an investment. Yes, your property may sell very quickly. Yes, online photos and open houses help to get potential buyers in the door. But what happens after that?

What if the buyer didn’t see the photos online before they viewed the property?
What if, after viewing multiple properties, a potential buyer wants to come back for a second viewing?
What if your property doesn’t sell as quickly as you hoped? Or a deal falls apart because of buyer’s financing?

After: This space is now a great place to entertain company.

Every time a potential buyer comes into your house (whether first, second, or third viewings) it is in your best interest to present the property in a way that highlights its best features and helps the buyer feel at home in the space. Empty spaces feel cold, plus buyers can have a hard time understanding how much furniture actually fits.

Imagine walking into this loft space if it was empty? Many people would have a hard time knowing what to do with it. As a seller, emptiness creates a missed opportunity to sell your property quickly and for top dollar.

It’s also very costly if your property doesn’t sell as quickly as you wanted and you end up having to reduce the price plus pay to set up rental furniture again for a second round of marketing.

So 30 day staging furniture rentals allow you to cover the bases in terms of possible scenarios. It can save you money in the end.

Set Your Stage properties sold over two times faster on average than the homes in the same areas! Are you curious how your property – and wallet – can benefit from professional home staging? If so, please contact Jen directly at SetYourStage.com! You can also follow me on Twitter @setyourstage!

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Home Staging Inspiration from Nature

How Much Does Vacant Condo Staging Cost in Calgary?

Stage a Small Space with Mirrors

How Long Should My Furniture Rental Be For Staging?

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