It may seem contrary to basic common sense, but adding staging furniture to an empty space can actually make a room look bigger. If you’ve got a property to sell, that’s an opportunity – and potential money in your pocket – that you shouldn’t overlook.
 

I do a lot of professional staging jobs for clients who have a vacant property. They understand the impact of looking like a motivated seller and of presenting the space to appeal to the ideal lifestyle of potential buyers who have a hard time visualizing what’s possible.
 

These before and after photos of a living room we staged in a Kings Heights, Airdrie home emphasize the point. Before staging, the empty room seems small and somewhat awkward. It leaves a sense of uncertainty in terms of how much furniture could fit (and how it could be arranged).
 

After staging, the same room feels spacious, functional, and welcoming. There’s a context for a buyer to more easily imagine what it would feel like to live there.
 

Based on the staged furniture arrangement, it’s easy for potential buyers to see where more furniture could be added to accommodate their individual needs. It also allows them to envision, by comparison to what’s there, how well their existing furniture will fit in the room.
 

The furnished room feels bigger because of the visual reference points that create somewhat of an optical illusion which didn’t exist in the empty room.
 

So in the end, adding furniture does make a room look bigger – IF it’s done properly.
 

That’s the power of professional staging.
 

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.
 

Sometimes staging a property is mostly about creating a feeling of balance. In modern construction, that means it’s important to add to comfort and liveability. Especially in a vacant modern property, this comfort can be achieved through staging with appropriate rental furniture and accessories.
 

Modern, elegant, and luxurious, this new Banff Trail property designed by Blumer Homes that we staged in Calgary is the kind of home that people dream of. It is absolutely gorgeous! I mean jaw dropping!
 

Marble, glass, clean lines, and open rooms with expansive space set the stage. But when potential buyers walk in, it’s important for them to also feel comfortable and welcome. This is what we kept in mind when making staging decisions for this vacant property, which required adding comfort through furniture and accessories so it didn’t read as ‘cold’ to potential buyers.
 

Our approach is reflected in the nubbly pillows, throw blankets, and area rugs. It’s in the textured linens on some of the chairs. It’s why we chose rounded vases and lamp bases and added the flowers and art work. The blues and grays that we weave throughout the staged rooms add a sense of calm and peacefulness that make a house feel like a home.
 

After staging, this modern property feels like a home you can snuggle into at the end of a long day while celebrating its clean modern edge. In this way, potential buyers instinctively experience the property as if it was their dream home. They can feel what it would be like to live there.
 

This feeling is the goal of a staged property. It delivers a much deeper impact than the intellectual act of noticing construction and design features (regardless of how amazing they are). Add comfort through staging to create balance in a modern property for the best results.
 

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.
 

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.
 

You may think that an empty condo in a popular location is an easy sell as-is. After all, if it’s new and has nice finishings, what’s not to like? Put yourself to the test with these before and after condo staging photos from one of our jobs in popular Sunnyside, Calgary (my home neighbourhood).
 

This ~2,000 sq. ft. upscale townhouse in a quiet location in the highly desirable Sunnyside area of Calgary was already gorgeous from top to bottom when Set Your Stage arrived on site to work our magic. But take a look at these before and after photos and pay attention to your gut reaction.
 

In this bathroom, which one feels more luxurious?
 

In this living room, would you have known that so much furniture could comfortably and stylishly fit in the space? Would you have been able to envision how to arrange the furniture with the challenges of railing location and window/door?
 

Luxury, space, style, ease – these are features that potential buyers looking in this area are both drawn to, and will pay more for. So, if you’re selling your vacant property, why wouldn’t you choose to take advantage of that by professionally staging?
 

Try the same comparison with the rest of the before and after condo photos of this listing (now sold to a previous client) on the Set Your Stage photo album: Sunnyside.
 

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.