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Archive for the 'Before and After Home Staging' Category

Cozy Luxury Can be Achieved Through Home Staging

January 14, 2017 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)
Regardless of a home buyer’s budget, don’t most of us want to feel a sense of luxury at some level when we arrive home after a long day? As important as the practical stuff, when we are searching for our next home to purchase, we are looking for a sense of possibility. That perception of cozy luxury can be achieved through professional home staging. And it doesn’t have to come at a luxury expense!
 
In her book, Sage Living, Ann Sage suggests that, “Color and texture unite to create a space that speaks the universal language of cozy.”
 
In my work as a professional stager in Calgary, I combine colour and texture to bring together a space that oozes cozy luxury in a way that appeals to potential buyers in my clients’ neighbourhood.
 
Does this room look familiar?

Before: Bathroom before professional home staging.

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: This master ensuite looks & feels like a spa.

Often it involves bringing in staging rental options like furniture, art, and accessories. But I can also work with what the sellers already have. That flexibility allows my clients to create a sense of cozy luxury without the expense of having to purchase all the necessary pieces themselves.
 
In this updated Kelvin Grove home we staged in Calgary for example, the living room after staging feels like being wrapped in a gorgeous cashmere sweater.
 
It’s not flashy and untouchable. Instead, the room calmly blends together to feel like cozy luxury in a very useable space that potential buyers can feel proud to share with friends and family.
 
Does this room look familiar?

Before: Living room before professional home staging.

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: The inviting & spacious living room enjoys lots of natural light & warmth of the beautiful feature fireplace.

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: The inviting & spacious living room enjoys lots of natural light & warmth of the beautiful feature fireplace.

There’s added sparkle through the metal and glass tables and metallic finished lamps. There’s the combination of silky, smooth, nubbly, and shag textures. There are hints of colour through art. Within a relatively monotone backdrop, all these colours and textures meld together to speak quality to buyers.
 
Want to see more examples of cozy luxury? Check out the Set Your Stage Facebook albums to view before and after photos of the various homes and condos that we’ve successfully staged to sell. Let our experienced team help you stage the ideal room possibilities for your buyers when it’s time to sell your Calgary property!
 

Hang Art as an Anchor in Home Staging

January 08, 2017 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)
You may be the type of person who avoids commitment when hanging art on your walls. Maybe you don’t like all those holes! But when it comes to staging your home to appeal to buyers, I say choosing to hang art in key rooms is a MUST DO when it’s time to sell.
 
As a Calgary home staging professional, it’s no secret that I love adding art strategically to my staged properties. I’ve written before about how to use artwork for house selling so that you can highlight features or add life to a room.
 
Does this room look familiar?

Before: Bonus room before professional home staging.

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: Adding furniture, art and accessories to this bonus space help buyers invision living here. In this space you could unwind after a long day and enjoy TV.

And plenty of inspiration can be found in our “after staging” photos on the Set Your Stage Facebook page.
 
But if you still have questions about how to actually hang art, look to Pinterest. How high? In what arrangement? Check out our Home Staging Tips board to get the details.
 
For staging purposes, I prefer the simplicity of the anchor approach, which you will see in many of our staged room photos. It creates an important grounding and balancing effect, both in the listing photos and when the potential buyers walk through for a personal viewing.
 
Does this room look familiar?

Before: Bathroom before professional home staging.

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: Beautiful modern bathroom dressed up with accessories.

When you hang art to stage with a purpose, you have the power to influence. The combination of your selected staging furniture, art, and accessories will come together to create the mood and image that you know will speak to your right buyers.
 
If it’s time to sell, hang art to create a lasting impression. Better yet, get some help from a professional home stager with experience staging properties in your neighbourhood.
 
For more inspiration and home staging tips, check out Set Your Stage on Pinterest.
 

Staging the Spa Bathroom

December 09, 2016 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)
It continues to be popular on buyers’ wish lists. The spa bathroom. Give buyers what they’re looking for with these home staging tips.
 
We hear about the dream spa bathroom all the time. But what is that exactly? Do a google search and you’ll find a range of definitions. Aesthetics and finishes also vary.
 
Does this room look familiar?

Before: Bathroom before professional home staging.

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: I love this soaker tub in the master ensuite. It would be so relaxing!

But what seems to be in common is this: water therapy, a sense of calm, and some pampering touches. When staging, highlight those three key components.
 
Of course budget will have a lot to do with the quality of finishings in a spa bathroom. When you’re staging prior to listing your home for sale, it is worth considering updating certain aspects of the bathroom in order to add a more quality feel. Just don’t overdo it by spending so much that you won’t see a return on your investment.
 
Things like lighting, faucets, and accent tiles can make a huge difference to the feel (and perceived value) of the bathroom.
 
And then there are the staging accessories that can turn a functional bathroom into one that feels more like a spa bathroom. These could include:

  • a small chair or bench for sitting (located near a tub or fabulous shower),
  • decorative mirrors,
  • a plush robe hanging on a decorative hook,
  • beautiful dispensers for your hand soap and shampoo,
  • art,
  • a healthy potted plant,
  • or a vase of fresh flowers.
Does this room look familiar?

Before: Bathroom before professional home staging.

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: How nice would it be to have the space to get ready in the morning in this bathroom!

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: A decorative mirror, lotion and perfume are organized on a decorative mirrored plate to add luxury to this bathroom.

There really is nothing like the fresh look of high quality white towels to make a bathroom feel like a spa. If the room is feeling too stark and cold, add hints of colour through the art, like we did with this one main piece to highlight the deluxe soaking tub. Keep the colours fairly monotone overall to reinforce the sense of calm that you’re aiming for.
 
If your potential buyers have a spa bathroom to retreat to on their wish list, invest the effort and some up front costs to offer it to them.
 
Want more of our home staging tips? Stay in touch. Follow Set Your Stage on Twitter.
 

Feel More in Control by Staging Your Home to Sell

November 27, 2016 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)
Selling your home can make you feel powerless sometimes. You won’t be present to discuss all the great qualities of your listing with potential buyers. In fact, most of the time your realtor won’t be either. So in this sometimes challenging process, how can you feel more in control of how buyers see and experience your home? Here are some tips on staging your home to sell it.
 
Staging can help you gain a better sense of control by presenting your property in a way that “speaks” to your buyers for you.
 
Without a word, staging provides you with the power of influence.
 
Does this room look familiar?

Before: Living room before home staging.

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: Enjoy the fireplace in this open concept living room/dining room/kitchen.

Your influence is strongest when you approach your work with your realtor and certified home stager as a powerful team.

  • Your realtor has knowledge about the market and what potential buyers are looking for in your neighbourhood.
  • You have insider information about the special features of your home.
  • And your stager is the marketing professional who bridges the gap between your property and your buyers by setting the stage for a perfect fit.

Let’s say for example that buyers in your neighbourhood are looking for a landscaped backyard. You know that there is one specific spot in your home where the view of the yard is best. Your stager will intentionally stage that spot in a way that draws potential buyers out there, with a seat that’s waiting for them to capture the ideal view. And if there’s also a perfect spot to see that same view from inside, she’ll stage that too.
 

Does this room look familiar?

Before: Dining room before home staging.

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After: By adding artwork and accessories to the table already provided by the homeowner, this dining room is much more welcoming to invite buyers to see the lovely backyard.

Communication, team work, and staging to sell allows you to have a voice, even when you and your realtor aren’t there to “make the pitch”.
 
You don’t have to feel powerless in the selling process. Gain control, influence, and confidence by adding a professional stager to your home selling team.
 
If you will be selling your Calgary property and have questions about how staging can help, I invite you to contact me to schedule your free, no pressure, personalized Home Staging Assessment today.
 
Still curious about the benefits of home staging? Read more about my work and reach out when you’re ready. Ask how the Set Your Stage team can help your Calgary home or condo become SOLD!