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Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Scare Buyers away One and All

By Phyllis Pafumi

Home Stager with ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey

August 30, 2007 12:59 AM

Every homeowner at one time or another have placed a mirror in a well strategic area to reflect more light and expand the space. It is true that mirrors can make a space seem larger. But while that concept remains true, a mirror will also reflect what is opposite of it, right? So, think about this!

The last 3 homes that I was called in to give a Staging Consultation had mirrors everywhere. One house had completely mirrored the walls going up their staircase and hallway, the other two had mirrored around their fireplace and chimney wall. Cool, thought the clients when they originally paid to have this done. BUT TODAY....well that is a different story because now they are trying to sell their home and this has become an issue.

Think about this for a moment. CLUTTER!! Yes we all have it. So maybe we can hide it in a corner somewhere, right? Probably not! Enter the buyer...they walk into an over decorated room or entry foyer which is bad enough but then they look into the mirror and what do they see? DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER!!

Remember, when a Professional Home Stager enters your home we enter it as if we were there to buy the home. I had to walk around each of these homes for some time before I was able to figure out the space. WHY?? Because the mirrors were totally confusing me. Buyers literally make up their minds the first 15 seconds upon entering the home, they don't stick around like I do searching out all the wonderful things these homes have to offer. And believe me, each of them really had some wonderful features.

So what's a seller to do? REMOVE THE MIRRORS! But it is alot of work and it will will cost alot of money to repair the walls if they get damaged by removing the mirrors. YES THAT IS TRUE, and that is why a buyer would rather go elsewhere where they will not need to do so much work.

When a buyer enters your home they should immediatey fall in love with the space. If they are walking around the home asking, what is this room, then you have not properly prepared your home for sale.

MIRRORS, WALLPAPER and FAUX FINISHES....OH MY, please sellers kiss them GOOD BYE

If you are trying to sell your home please call today for a staging consultation with ReStyled to Sell Home Staging NJ or a Home Stager in your area, and prepare to MOVE ON!

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Yvonne Root

rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ

Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Phyllis, This is so true. We once knew a couple who had mirror surrounding their fireplace. This wasn't a bad idea as the room was quite small and the mirror could have added dimension. Where the actual problem came in was the wall of mirror which was in the hallway directly across from the fireplace. I was among the many who jerked at the sight of seeing "someone else" in a room we thought to be empty. These two large mirrors directly across from one another were very distracting even (perhaps especially) when the room was crowed with people. Mirrors must be used with restraint.

Aug 30, 2007 02:00 AM

Mike Mitchell

Kee Realty - Saint Clair Shores, MI

REALTOR (R)

Phyllis - thanks for the informative post, Sellers have to realize that if they think it will be alot of work, time or money to change something, so will the buyers! Just like you said. Might as well get it done right away before listing it for the best showing appeal.

Aug 30, 2007 02:51 AM

Cheryl-Anne Priest

Inviting Spaces - Home Staging Calgary - Calgary, AB

Inviting Spaces - Staging Calgary

Phyllis- I once owned a bi-level with a full wall of mirror in the entry. Like Yvonne, it was disconceting to see "someone else" in the house when we thought it was empty. Took a bit of getting used to and we did consider removing the mirror however it would have been a very big job as it was solid - no joins. Back then, this was the fad so we did not have any problem selling the house. Today, however, it would definitely have to come down.

Aug 30, 2007 03:16 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Phyllis, This is a wonderful post and very true. Mirrors intensify and double everything they reflect and I am particularly careful with their placement. Reflecting a window is lovely but I can't tell you the number of times I have seen a mirror reflect a blank wall (bathrooms, usually). Or when one mirror is reflecting another one should be removed. I just had a client do this although it was a lot of work it is an important issue. Thank you for a great post and I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Aug 30, 2007 09:35 AM

Julia Maher

Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT

Connecticut Home Stager

Hi Phyllis and all! When it was time to down-size my mother, we got her a condo that was the builder's model - from the 80's! The woodwork is fabulous, but the mirrors! Everywhere! The entryway, the hall, the dining room, behind the glass shelving in the living room...We were lucky to find the place, as we had to move quickly - no time to take down the mirrors! However, they drove my mother nuts (she is legally blind w/ macular degeneration)! What to do? In the meantime, my husband came up with a great solution. He took bead-board wood paneling (thin stuff), cut panels to fit over each section of floor-to-ceiling mirror, and glued in on. Then he cut quarter-round moulding to border it and provide further security. The place looks great! At some point, we will take the mirrors down and certainly will disclose should we have to sell the condo before we can do the removal.

Aug 31, 2007 08:34 AM

Kathleen Garvey

HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Denver - Denver, CO

Denver's Neighborhood Expert - Listings & Sales

Good comments Phyllis!! People do tend to think of what they SPENT (perhaps years ago) on such a decor choice yet have difficulty applying it to the fact that buyers are turned off by the 'look'. I know exactly of what you speak!! Thanks!! Regards-Kathleen G.

Sep 01, 2007 09:17 AM

Betty Haney

Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB

Phyllis, I love that you put into words what we are all thinking! We haven't come across one of these houses - yet - but when we do, I know what to tell the seller. Betty

Sep 04, 2007 02:41 PM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Phyllis - Great blog! Personally, I hate mirrored walls. I understand the concept behind doing it, but I really think it could be handled with hanging mirrors. I groan every time I see a mirrored wall.

Sep 05, 2007 02:15 AM

Anonymous

Diane Bretanha

This is a great topic which I hope can bring more creative ideas and solutions! I just did a consultation yestorday where the home has a bath directly off the kitchen with a jacuzzi tub and mirrored wall UGH! I have been racking my brain trying to think of a way to downplay or hide the mirror because the seller doen't want to take it down ~ any ideas anyone?

Thanks!

Sep 13, 2007 12:39 AM

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Scare Buyers away One and All

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