Vignette Staging in Vacants:Controversy Rages On, Here's Proof it Works!

I have read several blogposts about the value (or lack thereof), of vignette staging.  I will acknowledge that there are markets where it may not work.  Markets where the norm is "pack all of your things away, full house furniture rental".  I will also acknowledge that some vignette staging may seem too "gimmicky" or clever.  I think it comes down to the basic philosophical differences of the stager and his/her style. 

If a stager sees the house and it's existing furnishings as a stage, where they are doing set design, maybe adding a few props and telling a story, "setting the stage", they have a mindset that is different from  the stager who is bringing the story in, from the rental store or their own inventory, as shown on the left.

The stager who sets up small scenes, using props that evoke emotions may view the house from a merchandising perspective, and may stage more in line with a visual merchandiser, or display artist.  Capturing a moment, creating an emotional tug of the heartstrings.                       

Similarly, those who have done model homes, generally have more furniture and props than other stagers, because their approach is to create a brief fantasy for the buyer. 

Are any of these styles wrong?  Not in my opinion, just different.  So, back to the point, vignette staging.   Recently a Realtor who showed a property I had staged told me that one of the rooms, where the vignette included some childrens props, was "not exactly the way I had staged it".  He was unable to return everything to it's proper place, but assured me nothing was broken.  He said that the staged playroom had allowed his buyers to tour the home while the children entertained themselves.  Of course many stagers would have a problem with this scenario, (we don't like to have our staging disturbed!), because the next viewer/buyer would not benefit from our work.  For me, this situation worked, because the house SOLD!

On occasion, (more often than not!) the homeowner does not have the resources to fill their home, or even the critical rooms with rental furniture.  Even if the statistics show that the $$$ spent will give a quicker return than not taking this approach, you "cannot squeeze blood from a turnip", as they say.  If the money does not exist, and there is no guarantee, the expense cannot be warranted by the seller. Enter vignette staging.

Setting the table in an occupied home is not very practical, even if it is pretty, or adds the punch of color that a stager would love to introduce. In a "vacant with vignette" staging, dressing a blow-up bed, setting a table, suggesting uses for unnamed spaces is easy and effective.

Creating a connection in the kitchen, suggesting a small desk area as a crafting/creative space, inviting thoughts of spa visits in bathrooms and yes, even suggesting how "spacious" an empty closet is, can all create a connection to a buyer.  Every home pictured was vignette staged and has SOLD!  So, the controversy continues, but here is proof, vignettes in vacants work!

 

  I have an eye for your style!    

  Cheryl Marantino  719.393.3729 

Colorado Springs, Colorado 

            Home Stager and Redesigner