Monday, March 30, 2015

From Plain to Posh in One Afternoon

As home stagers and designers, our job is to quickly transform a home from plain and boring to posh and stunning. We tell clients all the time how simple it is to make such a change, but they rarely believe us. It is true though -- with some decluttering, careful editing, smart accessorizing, and plenty of motivation, just about anyone can give their home a fresh face that buyers won't be able to resist.

 Take a look at how we took this home from plain to posh in a single afternoon . . .

Family Room BEFORE -- Haphazard furniture arrangement & lack of pizazz
 
Family Room BEFORE -- Lots of toys & clutter, but very little "WOW"
This family room is the first thing buyers will see when they enter the home. It had to impress. Unfortunately it didn't. When we started, it was packed with"stuff," but lacked personality. There was no art on the walls, no interesting view points, and the furniture was haphazardly arranged.
 
To fix it, we first had the clients declutter and make the room a Kids Free Zone. Then we swapped the sofa and loveseat to improve the furniture layout. Next, we anchored the loveseat with a console table -- giving buyers something other than the side or back of a sofa to see when they enter. Best of all we added some "WOW" by creating a focal point above the mantle using art. Doing this stirs interest in the minds of buyers and makes them want to keep exploring the home. Finally we added art, accessories, and lots of lamp light to give the room a warm, welcoming feel. Take a look at the "After" photos of this family room . . .
 
Family Room AFTER -- New layout, new focal point, and lots of interest piquing accessories

Family Room AFTER -- Another view of the room.
The next room we tackled was the breakfast room. When we arrived the space seemed cramped and dysfunctional. The large table & chairs left little room for maneuvering around the table. If a buyer had seen this, they probably would've had a negative impression about the true amount of space in the room.
 
Breakfast Room BEFORE -- Table & chairs too big for the space; making the room seem cramped and dysfunctional
To rectify the crowded breakfast room problem, we moved the large bulky table to the empty dining room. Then we added a dining set with a glass top that was more appropriately proportioned for the room. We also hung a large piece of art to accentuate the length of the room. It turned out really great, don't you think?
 
Breakfast Room AFTER --  Appropriately proportioned glass top table & large art shows the real size of the room
 
The master bedroom was fine when we first consulted on this project. The trouble with "fine" though is that it is not great. It does not leave a lasting, positive impression on potential buyers -- which is a BIG problem. Take a look . . .

Master Bedroom BEFORE -- Bland décor & in need of a more upscale, coordinated bedding set
 
Master Bedroom BEFORE -- Sloppy bedding and make shift electronics storage on a TV tray
 
Underwhelming isn't it? We remedied the problem of the bland master suite by updating the bedding set with coordinated shams and making it in a tailored & tidy fashion. We further pumped up the wow factor by adding art, a few key accessories, and improved lighting. The lasting effect is a fresh, neat, and memorable room!
 
Master Bedroom AFTER -- Very tailored bedding, art, & new lamps pump up the appeal of this owners' retreat
 
Master Bedroom AFTER -- Key accessories add interest and cleverly hide cords & electronics
In the master bathroom we found a very common issue that we refer to as "Toiletry Takeover". Toiletries, cleaners, personal products, medicines, etc. sitting out on surfaces in a bath is a very common sight. It is also a common buyer turn-off.
 
Master Bath -- Cluttered surfaces, visible toiletries give wrong impression to buyers
Cluttered, messy surfaces can leave buyers with the impression that the home as a whole is cluttered and messy. Even rugs on the floor can make a bath feel small, choppy, and messy. So when you are selling, bathroom surfaces should be clean and clear. Period. Fortunately for these clients, we were able to help them avoid the pitfalls of listing a home with a messy bath. See how much better a clutter-free bath looks . . .
 
Master Bath AFTER -- Clean, spacious appearance.
 
Master Bath AFTER
So roll up those sleeves and start working on transforming your home today. It's super easy. It just takes a plan and a little elbow grease. 

 
 

2 comments:

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    ReplyDelete

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