Home Staging Question! To Paint Or Not To Paint - That Is The Question?

Jane ~ as a professional home stager I'd advise your clients NOT to paint this home white (or any shade of white!).  The paint colors in my opinion are OK except for the red master bath -- I'd suggest painting that a shade lighter or darker than the master bedroom.

However there are other things that could be done to improve the appeal of this home to buyers.  Remove the cat from the master bed and retake the photo, for one.  Also, this home appears in the photos to be over-decorated for selling -- wonderful for living in, but too crowded for selling.  Buyers love to see the "space" rather than all of the sellers' things, even though they have good taste it's just too much for selling.

Good luck and I hope they don't paint the house white -- it would look cold and uninviting.  Save money and just paint over the red bathroom, and remove a lot of the "extras" in each room to create a more spacious feel.   If you'd like an email consultation, let me know :-)

Never ever, never (did I say never?) LOL, paint the rooms white for selling (with very few exceptions and these rooms aren't any of them). These colors are not bad at all. There are many other things that could be done to enhance each room. The bath is taste specific so I'd consider changing that one but otherwise I'd leave the paint alone.

Ewe.....white?  No, no, no.  I actualy think the colors are very tasteful.  Hoever, the rooms are a bit crowded.  I would store furniture rather than paint.  Good luck.

Hi Jane--The question is intriging--they think that perhaps the color of the walls is the problem with the house not selling, but can't see or "feel" the rooms, which are heavy.  Too much furniture and stuff.  I actually like the wall paint colors and would say the red in the master bathroom would work if you could move that color around with accessories.  See if they can first get rid of half the books on the bookshelves, the TV on the master bedroom dresser, definitely the cat (so many people are soooo allergic to cat dander), the clutter on the desk, etc.  By the way, if they paint the wall white or off-white, most of the furniture will disappear into the walls and I think it will look cold and unwelcoming.  Good luck

Hi Jane. The current color scheme looks contemporary… and beautiful (in my opinion.) I’d suggest they leave it as-is.

Jane,  You have all great advice here, especially NOOOOO white or off-white.  I think the color is a little dark, but overall a good color.  Follow the advice already given.  I would take the two head chairs away in the dining room. That space is tight and that will help open up the space.  Good Luck!

Jane....I'm also of the opinion NOT to paint white I like the colors in this home.  I agree with Maureen on several points after viewing the extra photo's:

• The red bath should go to a taupe....same color as the Bedroom or a shade darker.
• I would NOT have a cat/dog etc in any photo's.  Many folks (I'm one of them) are allergic to cats or just do NOT like them.  I try to make it totally transparent that an animal lives in the home.
• Thin out the "stuff" too.  It does make these rooms seem small and over done.
• Take down the draping from the poster bed.....it's a dated look and takes over the room...minimize the post too. Some of these beds will be OK if you remove the post and move the "balls" at the top to cover the holes.
• Remove all the fake ivy in office, above TV etc

Hope these helps and good luck!!!!! 

Jane, I'm not a stager, but I do see a lot of houses. I would ask a couple of questions that might help your client. First, when are most of your showings? If they are in the evening, I wonder if the paint color makes the rooms seem darker. Regardless of time of day, does the seller have all lights on for every showing?  A lighter paint color (not white, but maybe elephant tusk from benjamin moore) might make the rooms more bright. Second, how do the competitors show? Do the comps show with more modern furniture or more contemporary accessories? Who is the target buyer?

Jane, I really liked Leslie's comments. I think the colors and decorating are very close to what the builders are using in Southern California and Nevada. I like the bedpost idea and would probably remove the ivy above the desk, etc. I would try to open up the dining area and remove everything but the dining room table and side chairs.I personally don't think there is too much clutter and if too much is removed it will look sterile. I also definitely would not paint it white.

Hi Jane,  I'm in agreement about the color of the walls (no white).  In my opinion, it would help to have a bit more color to break up the bland look in the Living Room - Dining Room.  I would remove the pillows that came with the sofa and add pillows with more color and then carry that color into the Dining Room with adding a centerpiece that has the same colors as the pillows in the Living Room.  It just needs a bit more color to perk it up. This allows you to remove things in the rooms without creating a sterile look.  Also, the tall palm seems too big for the space. Perhaps something not so large.  I don't see the photos of the master bedroom and bath.  Good luck, it looks like a nice home.

All white is the kiss of death.  I agree with Maureen on the other fixes, it seems a bit cluttered for showings especially a bit too much greenery like on top of furniture.  Good luck:)

Ana

Jane,

I think this house looks lovely....

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

Jane,

I would also have to agree not to chance the paint color.  Painting the house white and the furniture being white, would just be too much white.  All the best to you and the sellers with the sell of their home.

no white, but definately get a bigger rug in the living room and maybe add some typr of art or iron work, in the space above dining area to bring the eye up.