Home staging is an idea that local Realtors know works well. They know it will sell their listings faster and for top dollar. But do they know why it works?
In fact, do all practicing home stagers know what makes staging work? Is there a difference in expertise among home staging professionals? It turns out there is and Blanche Raff of Weichert Realtors, McLean, Virginia, recently experienced this difference.
A Family Room for a Real Family
When you open the front door to this spacious 4,900 sq. ft. house, you see a beautiful picture window at the end of your view, way down the hall. “The space in front of the window was designed to be a family room, but it needed to look more cozy, more comfortable. Despite the fireplace, this room looked cold,” says Trish Kim, founder of Staged Interior and lead stager for this project.
“The room itself was large and a sofa of average size would not have worked in it. Instead, we put in a sectional couch 9’6” long and 9’3” deep – that’s big – to encircle the room.”
“In front of it, we placed a large ottoman. Altogether, it created a comfy place to talk or watch TV. We added chairs, tables, and lamps to make a room where a family could spend many hours together. The final result is shown above.”
A Glowing Dining Room
Off the main hall was another room that needed special treatment, the dining room.
Its main feature was a gorgeous chandelier that cast a golden glow. As Trish explained: “the chandelier was dominant, but if we had matched it, it would have looked like Grandmother’s house, so we went eclectic with modern art, an industrial table and modern chairs. The chandelier looked quite gold, so I had to work with that color.”
Note where the gold is in the room and how it all works together. The large table and 8 chairs also reflect the extent of the possible entertaining. A large family dinner or formal dinner party can happen in this room, and the staging demonstrates it.
Downstairs Where Fun Happens
Downstairs, the staging became more casual. “In the recreation room, we added a real ping -pong table. Luckily, one was ready to come out of another house that had been staged and sold. It was a blessing that it was available at that time.”
In the bar next to it, we set up refreshments ready for enjoyment. Out of view are popcorn boxes and other temptations for the family.
And Learning Too!
Also downstairs, was a room that might have been used as a bedroom in another era. Instead, we staged it as a “study hall.” More and more often now, buyers are looking for places where their children can study outside their bedrooms.
We set it up for several children to do their online learning, and other studying, in comfort.
Notice What We Have Done?
“You have to show buyers how they could live in a house. Staging needs to make the house feel lived in, or able to be lived in; where to flop down and watch TV, where to do homework, how the bedroom works.” says Trish. About this staging, Trish said:
“It was a fun house to do. The location was amazing. I enjoyed having problems to fix.”
Trish Kim, Staged Interior
And how did it work out for Blanche Raff, the Realtor?
“… They turned the house into a showcase for Better Homes and Gardens. By November, I had a contract. Had it not been for Staged Interior the listing would still be sitting there. I would recommend them for any job and would never use anyone else to do my staging.”
Blanche Raff, Weichert Realtors
Want us to contact you to discuss your next listing? Or, would you like a quick quote now?
