Home Staging - It's Not About the Furniture - Part I
Of course, an important part of home staging is supplying or re-arranging furniture. To be honest, anyone can fill a room full of furniture. There is a talent to how furniture is placed, taking into consideration traffic flow, the proportions of the human body in a space etc. However, the real art of home staging lies in the small touches that speak to prospective buyers.
Is a bathroom outfitted with clean towels and a new shower curtain enough? Ho-hum, thinks the potential buyer on seeing this. What is a buyer looking for? Something out of the ordinary. Something that speaks to them and grabs their attention. It's all in the details. It's all in the subliminal message that "this is your new home and you belong here".
Organic
Organic or green, living things create a sense of lushness and calm. Orchids in the bathroom add a spa-like, zen feel. Bathrooms are becoming a retreat, and no matter how humble the bathroom, the suggestion is that this is just a stone's throw away from a spa.
These 3 little grasses may be small, but they say a lot. There is an Asian quality to these faux plants. They carry a message that this is a quiet, respectful, rejuvenating space to be in. The green colour and organic quality emanate a feeling of peace and tranquility.
The orchid is a very delicate, fragile and graceful plant. It is symbolic of love, luxury, beauty and strength. Orchids are wonderful additions to the bathroom and create positive, relaxing thoughts.
Tactile
An object that has visual or actual texture to it is also an interesting eye catcher. The need to touch or run your hands over a crag-ridden shell, or a soft, fluffy cushion, helps to engage the audience. When these tactile objects are juxtaposed against something smooth, you now have a playful contrast, adding even more intrigue.
Fabrics also create wonderful tactile experiences. Here, various sized cushions are grouped together, unified in their shape, and yet completely difference in touch. A large, quilted, silky cushion is grouped with a rougher textured, shiny silver cushion, and a soft, natural alpaca fur cushion. I have never walked by an alpaca cushion without running my hands over the soft, flowing fur.
When you're looking for a home stager, make sure you look at their portfolio. Are they just placing or rearranging furniture, or are they taking it to the next level, and sending whispered messages to potential buyers, through small touches and vignettes or accessories, that this is where home is.
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