When you’re selling a property, you don’t have to de-personalize to the point of going bland. Staging accessories can add a pop of colour to give life to a space. Decide how you want potential buyers to feel and then choose an appropriate colour to accomplish that. Staging accessories give you flexibility.
 

Do you notice how different colours make you feel? There is a psychology of colour and it’s worth paying attention to when you’re trying to sell your home. To find out more, Benjamin Moore has a fun “Color Basics” tool that shows the psychological, emotional, and behavioural responses of different colours.
 

In this vacant condo/townhouse we staged in Braeside Estates, we chose to go with staging accessories that created an upbeat feeling. Why? Because it’s a space less than 1000 square feet in size, located in an older building, and likely to be purchased by a first time buyer. The goal was to make it feel warm, modern, energetic and social.
 

That’s why we chose to use mostly red, orange and yellow in the staging accessories in the main living areas while keeping the large furniture pieces, wall, and flooring neutral. In the bedrooms, instead of the reds, we used greens which are more calming.
 

As you look at the photos of the staged rooms, how does it make you feel? That’s the power of colour.
 

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

Neutrals are your best bet when staging your property for sale with paint colours that won’t offend potential buyers. Of course you can’t please everyone, but choosing the right paint colour continues to be one of the top tools for your biggest return on investment when you’re selling your home.

 
Neutrals are colours that will match well with a wide range of other colour options. This is important to potential buyers who are walking through a listed property because they are imagining how their own furniture and accessories will fit into the space.

Ideally, potential buyers don’t want to spend a lot of time or money trying to create this fit. So you can make their life easier by making it neutral for them with a coat of paint. In the picture of an office we staged, you can see that the neutral background would work for pretty much any coloured furniture, curtains, art, rugs etc. that the buyer would want to put in there.

 
Move in ready is the goal when possible. Keep it simple.

 
I’ve written on the topic before. While these exact colours may not be available in your area, it gives you a good sense of what can be effective in staging. Find the posts here:

• Warm staging colours
• Cool staging colours
• Hot colours for your front door

And for more inspiration on stage safe paint colours that won’t offend, take a look at the Set Your Stage Facebook albums of the various homes and condos that we’ve staged for sale.

Furniture staging rentals allow a potential buyer to get a sense of how a property will feel to live in. That’s why it’s so important when selling a vacant property. Walking into an empty room, most people cannot imagine how furniture will fit or how big the space actually is. Stage it and make the buyer’s job easy.
 

That’s what happened with a home I staged recently in the Hillhurst neighbourhood of Calgary. The home was vacant and my clients chose to hire Set Your Stage for a full furniture staging rentals package. They understood the benefits:
 

• Desired Lifestyle – Staging a property for a potential buyer’s lifestyle can help them choose your property over a similar property that just doesn’t “feel” as right to them.

 

• Room Function – An empty space can leave potential buyers puzzled. Don’t give them the opportunity to hesitate, wondering, “What could this space be used for?”

 

• Size Matters – Without furniture in a space, it’s hard for people to tell whether their furniture will fit. Most buyers won’t walk around with a measuring tape. Showing your listing with furniture allows them to see, “Ok, that’s a king size bed so ours will definitely fit with extra room to move around.”

By adding rented staging furniture to an empty property, you help potential buyers check off all their wish list boxes. And maybe more! It worked for my Hillhurst clients. Here’s what their realtor shared in a comment on the Set Your Stage facebook page:
 

“Smart Calgary Homes – Thanks for your great staging job! We are conditionally sold after 4 days on the market! I am sure that your staging had something to do with that. You created a bright and modern decor and we had great feedback during our open houses.”
 

Enough said. Furniture staging rentals are an upfront investment. However, as this Set Your Stage client found, it can be well worth it.
 

Want to see more examples of Set Your Stage before and after staging? Check out our Facebook page and click on that LIKE button to receive updates as we post them.
 

Staging a man cave can be a lot of fun. Often you see flowers and feminine touches in staging. But why only appeal to women? Men want their space too (it doesn’t have to be dark and cave-like to work). When you anticipate who the potential buyers will be, you can create spaces that make everyone feel at home.
 

Before, this bonus room we staged in Westgate was a large, empty room that might be difficult to imagine what to do with (and therefore not as easy to know its true value). After, it became a poker room. We set up a martini set on a bar table, a poker table and four masculine brown chairs. We even arranged the cards and chips to show a poker game in progress. More than an empty room to store extra ‘stuff’, it now has added value as a fun place to spend time with friends.
 

In this large Bearspaw home we staged, it might be natural to consider staging a cozy couch area around the fireplace. Instead, we chose to stage it as a pool/pub room, perfect for entertaining. Notice that while the furnishings are dark and more on the masculine side, it is still a welcoming area for anyone. Call it a man cave – plus.
 

And now for one of my favourites. This upscale townhouse we staged in Sunnyside has a definite masculine feel mixed with a bit of hip, retro, sexy vibe. Just imagine the activities that could go on in this space – then out to the deck – then back inside ☺.
 

In fact, this one was so popular that during showings, potential buyers were asking if they could purchase the staging furniture. Yes, we do that too! Creating this type of vibe in a space is a clear benefit of staging.
 

Bottom line? Staging a man cave can add a much needed energy to your property that appeals to potential buyers. Besides, the guys are usually happy to share!
 

For more before and after staging photos, check out Set Your Stage on Facebook.