Home Staging Monthly

Minimalist Chic: Embracing Simplicity and Functionality in Home Staging Trends

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 18:07:11 GMT

Minimalist Chic: Embracing Simplicity and Functionality in Home Staging Trends

In the world of real estate, first impressions matter more than you might think. The process of selling a home involves not just finding the right buyer but also presenting your property in the most appealing way possible. This is where home staging comes into play. In recent years, a new trend has taken the stage: Minimalist Chic. At Stage & Amaze Home Staging, we're excited to share how embracing simplicity and functionality in home staging can transform your property into a buyer's dream.

The Rise of Minimalist Chic

Minimalism as a design concept has been around for decades, but it's in the last few years that it has truly taken the world of home staging by storm. Minimalist Chic combines the essence of minimalism with a touch of sophistication, creating a style that appeals to a wide range of homebuyers.

Here's why Minimalist Chic is gaining popularity:

Clean and Uncluttered Spaces: In a world filled with distractions, minimalism encourages simplicity and clarity. A staged home following this trend will have uncluttered spaces, creating a sense of calm and allowing buyers to visualize their life in the home.
Enhanced Functionality: Minimalist design is all about form meeting function. In Minimalist Chic staging, each piece of furniture and decor serves a purpose. This approach maximizes the use of space and showcases the home's potential.
Timelessness: Minimalist design is characterized by timeless aesthetics. When staging your home with Minimalist Chic in mind, you're not just catering to current trends; you're creating a timeless appeal that will resonate with buyers for years to come.
Neutral Color Palettes: Minimalism often employs neutral color palettes, which create a soothing atmosphere. These colors serve as a blank canvas, allowing potential buyers to envision their own personal style in the space.

The Principles of Minimalist Chic Staging

Now that we've explored the essence of Minimalist Chic, let's delve into how to achieve this style in your home staging:

Declutter and Depersonalize: The first step is to declutter and remove personal items. Minimalist Chic homes should feel like a blank canvas, so buyers can imagine their own life in the space.
Quality Over Quantity: Select high-quality, well-designed furniture and decor items. Fewer, but better, pieces will make your home look more upscale and sophisticated.
Neutral Color Palette: Stick to neutral colors such as whites, grays, and soft beiges for walls, furniture, and decor. These colors create a serene atmosphere and provide a sense of continuity throughout the space.
Open and Airy Layout: Arrange furniture to create open and inviting spaces. Avoid overcrowding rooms and maintain a sense of flow from one area to another.
Let in Natural Light: Maximize the use of natural light by using sheer curtains or no curtains at all. Well-lit spaces always appear more welcoming.
Incorporate Texture: To add depth and interest to your minimalist staging, use textures. This could be in the form of textured rugs, throw pillows, or artwork.

The Impact on Buyers

When a potential buyer walks into a Minimalist Chic-staged home, they immediately experience a sense of tranquility and possibility. The uncluttered space allows them to focus on the property's potential rather than being overwhelmed by the current decor. This emotional connection can be a powerful factor in their decision-making process.

Conclusion

Minimalist Chic home staging is a trend that's here to stay, thanks to its simplicity, functionality, and timeless appeal. At Stage & Amaze Home Staging, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the trends to help you sell your property faster and at a higher price. Embracing Minimalist Chic can make your home stand out in a crowded market, creating an inviting and stylish space that resonates with buyers. So, if you're looking to sell your home and want to make the best possible impression, consider Minimalist Chic staging – it's a trend that speaks volumes in simplicity.

Remember, less is often more, especially when it comes to selling your home. Minimalist Chic is more than just a trend; it's a philosophy that transforms spaces into places where dreams come true for potential buyers.

Why Stage a home in a Hot Market?

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:58:43 GMT

Why You Still Need Staging in a Seller’s Market

February, 2021 by Lexi Klinkenberg

Selling your home is a big deal, and can sometimes be stressful. Between deciding when to list your home for sale, for how much, and what home renovations you should do beforehand, there is a lot of planning involved. One important aspect that many sellers overlook is staging. No matter if you live in a large home in Portland, OR , or a condo in Miami, FL , staging your home will make your listing stand out among the other homes listed for sale in your area, and increase interest from more potential buyers. Continue reading to learn more about why it is important to stage your home, even in a seller’s market.

What is a seller’s market?

A seller’s market is when there are more homebuyers looking to purchase a home than actual houses listed for sale. A seller’s market usually results in rising home prices, stiffer competition, and increased bidding wars among homebuyers. During these times, home sellers will have the upper hand when it comes time to negotiate.

Do I still need professional staging?

The short answer is: yes. Although we are in a seller’s market and homes are selling extremely quickly, staging your home is still important. Staging is visual merchandising for your home so that you can sell it quickly and for more money. In fact, staged homes sell 73% faster than empty homes. Another way to look at it is, if you were heading to a job interview or a first date, you’d still make sure you dress to impress, wouldn’t you? The same logic can apply when selling your home.

A staged home results in better photos

Listing photos are what makes your home shine online, and the more appealing they are, the more views your listing will receive. A new listing gets three times more views in its first week on the market than at any time after that and 85% of buyers say photos are the most important factor in picking the homes they tour. Engaging listing photos make potential homebuyers want to view your home rather than skipping past your listing. This is why we recommend you stage your home before you list, rather than investing in staging later if your home doesn’t see enough traffic or sell quickly.

Home staging can increase your sale price

Having your listing staged will make your home more appealing and could influence a buyer’s offer. According to the National Association of Realtors , 25% of agents representing buyers said staging increased offers by up to 5%, whereas another 12% said it increased offers by up to 10%.

Staging allows buyers to picture themselves in the home

Having your home fully staged allows buyers to understand how they would live in your home and allows them to picture their family in each space. The average person shopping for a home isn’t a professional designer and probably won’t naturally envision how an empty space could function, so having it staged could help paint the picture of what living in the home could look like.

Home staging communicates proper use of a space

When walking into an empty home it’s often hard to imagine how you would design or decorate the space. Empty rooms can appear smaller when they’re not staged, and this can deter buyers from making an offer . Staging your home will allow buyers to envision how each space should function and give buyers inspiration for how their belongings could fit into each room. Staging can also help buyers overcome challenges, such as how creating “zones” within a small space can make a room more functional than it may appear when vacant.

Home staging makes the property more move-in ready

With today’s housing market consisting of historically low-interest rates, quick home sales, and many homes selling for above listing price, buyers may have to spend their maximum budget leaving very little to no budget for home improvements or renovations. So, if the walls are painted different colors or a bathroom isn’t finished, buyers see an immediate to-do list and it can feel daunting. Staging helps the home feel as new as possible so there are fewer objections. Hiring a team of professionals to stage your home and identify impactful updates will create a move-in-ready experience that could inspire more buyers to make an offer.

Originally Published on Redfin

Creating a Cohesive Look Within Your Home

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:58:43 GMT

CREATING A COHESIVE DESIGN IN YOUR HOME

March, 2021 by M aria Gudelman

Creating a cohesive feel can be challenging, especially when you are talking about decorating and furnishing multiple rooms and spaces. Below are some tips to help you create a cohesive home that also reflects your design style.

Color Scheme

This is the first and foremost to creating a cohesive room. A set color story creates consistency and connects each room to each other. If you have blue throw pillows in your living room, try incorporating blue in a different room like your kitchen, with a rug or art. The key is not to mix too many colors. A whole house color palette should have about 3-5 colors.

One color is your primary color which is the color that is used most in your entire home. Then you have a secondary and tertiary color. The secondary color should make up about 50% or less of that color in your space and the tertiary color makes up about 25% or less.

Metals and woods should always have a “buddy”.

You can absolutely mix metals and wood tones but if you do, make sure they have a “buddy” to match. For example, if you have a gold light fixture in the kitchen, make sure you incorporate gold elsewhere in the kitchen such as on the cabinet hardware or faucet. If you have a dark wood dresser in your bedroom, make sure you have at least one other piece of similar color wood somewhere else in the room. You want to spread things out in the room and not have it all on one side.

Traffic Flow

A well-thought out floor plan does wonders for a space. Follow the natural traffic flow and arrange furniture in clusters creating conversation areas. One of the most common mistakes is lining all the furniture along the wall. Especially if you have a large living room area, and this feels too far away for conversation and it doesn’t feel cozy and welcoming. Try pulling the furniture away from the walls to create a more intimate setting.

Preparing Your Home For Staging

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:58:42 GMT

Preparing Your Home For Staging

April, 2021 by M aria Gudelman

Selling your home can be a stressful process, but taking the right steps before listing in on the market will ensure that your home is in the best position to market and as a result, it will bring you the highest price in the shortest amount of time. Here is what we recommend before we stage your home for sale:

Disassociate from Your House

Letting go of your home can be difficult. You've lived there, possibly for years, and the house holds many memories. To detach from it emotionally, you must realize that without you in it, the house is just a shell to be loved by other occupants. You have new memories up and coming to make in a new home for yourself!

Depersonalize

You want to present buyers with an impersonal, clean environment so they can imagine the home perhaps decorated with their own photographs, furniture, and art objects. Pack up your personal photographs, family heirlooms, and other objects and clutter that might distract potential buyers and hurt a possible sale.

Declutter

People tend to collect an amazing quantity of items over the years. Reasons for keeping items include an emotional attachment, an intention to reuse or fix the items in the future, or a wish to pass them on to others. However, for many items, if you haven't used them in over a year, you probably don't need them. Discard items in a useful way by donating them to a charity or nonprofit organization such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill. These items not only help those in need but some are tax-deductible.

Organize Bedroom Closets and Storage Cabinets

Buyers are interested in knowing about storage in a home and will want to check closets and cabinets. It's important to ensure these are organized, as it sends a negative message if your storage spaces are cluttered with items falling out.

When a buyer sees everything organized down to the last detail, it shows that you take care of your possessions and likely took good care of the house. In kitchen cabinets, alphabetize spice jars, neatly stack dishes, and turn the coffee cup handles so they're facing the same way. In closets, shirts should be buttoned and hung together, and shoes should be lined up neatly. Just a few small details that can make a big visual difference.

Consider Renting a Storage Unit

Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage, along with distracting furniture, artwork, and empty bookcases.

Make Minor Repairs

In some seller's markets, you can sell a home in lived-in condition without much complaint. But in normal markets or a buyer's market, repairs can make or break a sale. Replace cracked floor or counter tiles and patch any holes in the walls. Fix leaky faucets and doors that don't close properly, as well as kitchen drawers that jam. Consider painting walls neutral colors, especially if they're currently hot pink or purple. Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the one with the bright purple bathroom."

Make the House Sparkle

Preparing your home to be viewed by potential buyers may require hiring a professional cleaning crew. Cleaning may include washing the windows inside and out; renting a pressure washer and spraying down sidewalks and the exterior; re-caulking tubs, showers, and sinks; and polishing chrome faucets and mirrors. Make sure all of the dust is removed from under the furniture, in the cabinets and closets, and everywhere else it could be hiding. No one wants to be viewing a dirty home.

Once it is professionally cleaned, try and keep the cleanliness by vacuuming daily, mopping, dusting furniture, and keeping the bathrooms and kitchen spotless. Hang up fresh guest towels. Also, keep the toilet lid closed when it's not in use. Again, small details can really make a big impact.

Curb Appeal

Make the exterior more appealing and welcoming by painting your front door and, perhaps, adding a beautiful wreath, or placing one or two flower pots on your front porch. Hire a landscaper to clean up your lawn and add some colored plants. Consider hiring a contractor to fix any cracks on your front steps or walkway. Also, make sure visitors can clearly see your house number. We want buyers to pull up in their cars feeling enlightened and excited to get out.

The Final Step

Once you've cleaned and gotten everything repaired and organized, you can begin staging your home. This is where we come in and where the magic will happen! Following these steps thoroughly will make sure the staging process is successful.

If you want to hear more about our staging services and how we can help you get your home SOLD fast and for more, give us a call. We also offer consultations to help you make these decisions all run smoothly and effectively.

Day in the Life of a Home Stager

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:58:41 GMT

Many ask: "What does your day consist of?" We're here to answer that for you!

Every time someone asks what we do, we almost always get follow-up questions, such as: “What do home stagers do?” and “Walk me through a day on the job!”. As home stagers, we love hearing questions such as these because we love talking about our job, quite simply! We work hard every day to ensure that our clients are ecstatic about our work, and in turn, their homes don’t last long on the market. A day in the life of a Staging Company can get quite hectic, but we always make it work with grace. With that being said, come along as I tell you about a day at Stage & Amaze.

At the start of the day, we start with a team meeting going over the plan for that week which helps the stagers and design team fully understand the tasks that are to come. On a staging day, we arrive with one thing in mind: wowing our clients! Our lists and pillow selections are made the night before to save precious time on the day of a stage. We briefly discuss with our logistics team to make sure all aspects are accurate by going over what is to be loaded in the truck. Our logistics team will begin loading the truck with all of the essentials; furniture pieces, lamps, rugs, artwork, accessories, and most importantly: the people who make it happen.

When arriving at the home, if the client is present, we introduce ourselves and explain to them what we will be doing in their home. If the client is not present, we get to work right away. We begin unloading the truck (yes, even Adriana) and start dropping furniture pieces off in the appropriate rooms. Our design process is very planned and thought-out, so after all, there is a method to the madness! We make sure to place eye-catching pieces in appropriate areas, essentially enticing the potential buyer to want to continue through the house. After the truck is unloaded, everyone disperses and works as a team to get things done in the most time-efficient way. We work together to wipe down the furniture, iron bedding and shower curtains, unwrap accessories and place things in the correct places. Once the pieces are placed, we begin the fun part that brings the space together; accessorizing! After we have made a full sweep in the house filling any empty spaces, we pack up our left-over accessories and load the truck back up. Before we leave, we make sure to take a video for our Instagram following and take plenty of pictures. We always make sure to let our followers know what we’re up to, and to have them call us for any home staging needs!

Back at the warehouse, our amazing logistics team will begin unloading the truck of leftover items and re-organizing the warehouse so that it’s nice and easy for the next stage. Before the end of the day, we check back in with the office and discuss the remainder of the week’s tasks. By doing so, keeps our team organized and as efficient as we can be.

Stage & Amaze is full of hard-working individuals that would do anything to make sure the client is in love with our work. We do what we do for the satisfaction of our current clients and the potential of new clients. We are not Stage & OK, we are Stage & AMAZE , and we make sure to show it every single day.

The Benefits Of Occupied Home Staging

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:58:40 GMT

Many homeowners believe their space needs to be completely empty to stage it. That is not true for every seller, especially if they don't want to spend extra money storing their current furnishings elsewhere. The most practical way to sell your home while keeping most of your items in the space is to use semi-occupied home staging. The stagers you hire will make your home "showroom ready" for potential buyers, all while incorporating pieces of furniture and decor you already have!

Fast Selling

When potential home buyers are on the hunt for a new home, they want to envision it being their own living space. Although you have designed the home to fit your living needs and lifestyle, a professorial home stager knows how to make the perfect adjustments to make it captivating to future homebuyers while still maintaining a comfortable space for you during the marketing process. Statistics have proven that staged homes do indeed spend half the time or less on the market as non-staged homes, making it a quicker selling process for you.

Convenience

Selling your home is not always an easy venture. There are many steps in the process, as it can make it overwhelming at times. The last thing you want to do it worry about making sure your home looks and stays in perfect condition to make that amazing first impression on potential homebuyers. Semi-occupied home staging is all about convenience for the seller. When you hire professional home stagers to stage your occupied home, they will use some of the homeowners furnishings plus their high-quality pieces, so you don't need to move out all of your furniture and tear apart your space while you are still living their until the home is sold.

Marketability

As part of the creative process, the professional home stagers will take care of everything for you. They will rearrange some of your current decor items as well as implement what they have from their inventory as well as furniture pieces to showcase the space and enhance it to its fullest potential. Professional home stagers like the Stage & Amaze team know exactly how to create picture perfect scenes from your space. When pictures are posted on your online listing, your home will stand out from other houses on the market. Remember, first impressions are everything when it comes to selling your space and making the right choice to stage it will improve its marketability.