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Home Staging Hits Oprah

Nate shows off the new fireplace look. Today is the day to see Oprah and Nate Berkus’ version of home staging.

The show features a family living in a home that lacked the right touches to inspire and “wow” buyers. Their home had been on the market for over 100 days with dozens of viewing.

During his initial tour of the home, Nate pointed out key problems such as a neglected patio, shabby kitchen, carpets in poor condition and a master bedroom that was more “Whoa” than “Wow”.

With a budget of $10,000 (Yes...Oprah considered this a budget! Most staging is done for alot less than this) Nate and his new sidekick from Australia, Jamie Durie, set out to get this house is pristine condition.

With Nate’s advise, the homeowners were encouraged to do many of the home improvements such as updating the grout and tile work, to show just how easy it was.

The biggest improvement came from a warmer paint tone and new carpet throughout, two of Nate’s top tips.

Instant curb appeal was created with a freshly painted front door and plants to add color.

The family room was update with paint and stonework around the fireplace, photos, pillows, and used existing accent pieces to create an inviting room.

The kitchen was drastically changed with painted cabinets, new knobs and new stainless steel appliances. How could it not look better for $4,000?

The master bedroom was also transformed with fresh paint, carpet, new bedding and lamps.

It was definitely interesting to see a designer of “celebrity” status doing exactly what stagers do everyday…except with a much bigger budget.

Oprah featuring anything these days creates an instant buzz, so home stagers and real estate agents are sure to reap the benefits with clients that have a better understanding of what it is all about.

COMMENT ON BUDGET: Yes, the $10,000 is rather high, however this house did need plenty of TLC. The show was a little misleading because they said that the house was "re-carpeted for $508...thanks to Lowes". Which is code for "they gave it to us dirt cheap because we agreed to say their name."

COMMENT ON FAMILY PHOTOS: At first I was surprised to hear Nate recommend keeping family pictures until I saw how he used them. All the pictures were copied into black & whites, with simple identical frames with white mats and then they were arranged neatly. I would still caution against walls of various photos in mismatched frames, as they would still be seen as clutter not art.

COMMENT ON "DID OPRAH HELP OR HINDER?": It is a good question considering some people may assume that all staging costs $10,000. But I think that by just using the word "staging" will plant a seed in the minds of viewers so that the next time they hear it, the concept is not unfamiliar. We can't expect Oprah to sell our services for us, she just introduced the concept on national TV to a huge audience.

COMMENT ON "WHY DIDN'T SHE CONTACT A STAGER?": Well, Nate has been her go to guy for decorating for awhile now. With staging being an "unregulated" industry, it was probably both wise and fair not to contact any specific group, as it would be considered an "endorsement". What Oprah did was give us all a chance.

Posted by Lucie Quigley on 11/21/2006 02:12 PM

Comments (31)

home staging, low cost ideas, checklists, tips, staged to sell, costeffective staging, room make overs, oprah, nate berkus

31 Comments on Home Staging Hits Oprah

NOV

2006

Lucie, thanks for the heads up re Oprah. I'll set the VCR now. You, Craig, Val and others have piqued my interest in the topic of staging.

Shoot! Why didn't I read this an hour ago? I just missed DVRing it! Thanks for the post, Lucie. I hope to watch it on re-run; I was busy catching up on the last episode of Designed to Sell.... Oprah is sure to buzz up our profession!

Lucie, thanks for letting us know about the up and coming Oprah show. I don't get the chance to watch but maybe I can figure out how to get my VCR going again and tape it.

I liked the part where he reiterated that he doesn't agree with putting away all personal possessions, such as family pictures. He was clear on de-cluttering if you have too much out, but he said buyers like to see happy times that have taken place in the house they're looking at because it helps them to see their own happy times that could be happening there as well.

I think having some family pictures and a few other things that some one really does live there help to make a home warmer and more welcoming.

Ann Cummings

Once Oprah endorses something, people really take notice. This is sure to make staging a hot topic. This is a good opportunity for us all to make the most of this!

I just watched it, and I agree that some personal touches add warmth and make the house a place people remember.

I was hoping I hadnt missed this- do you know I was just sitting here thinking, I missed Oprah today - let me see what it was about!! Thank God for Tivo/DVR.

Hey Lucy...

Thanks for the heads up... its in the TIVO cue... I am sure I will have some thoughts on it once I view it.

Gee - missed it, but then again - who has that kind of budget for staging? Isn't that more of a home make-over than staging? At least she called it that so it will bring staging up front and center for homesellers. Thanks for the info.

Deb

Home staging is awesome !! I made an appointment on a lower priced home...when we arrived and I opened the door for my Buyer, the house had the "Wow" factor !!

Not to worry if you missed the show...go to www.oprah.com and you can read the entire segment, with pictures, etc.

As for the impact that the show will have on the Staging industry, I'm not sure if this is such a great event for Stagers because the show really makes it all look so easy and sellers might just think that they can handle the 'transformation' themselves...but we can hope for a renewed interest, right?

Staging It Forward,

Val

Hi. My name is Jeff and I am an Art Director and a husband of a Home Stager and I am biased.

Val, it's the same thing as I experience in advertising. EVERYBODY thinks they can design... sadly, they can't. And as an Art Director (soon to be - fingers crossed - Realtor) it has been my professional duty for over 18 years to direct clients an provide them a sound solution. I have the advantage of being able to walk into a board room and being able to listen to all the "great ideas" and then be able to list exactly how and why these ad ideas will fail. It's a brutal business advertising... but there is a reason why someone is coming to me. Much like there is a reason a home owner goes to a Realtor, and a reason why they may also go to a Home Stager. I am a professional.

Think of the last time you watched a commercial on TV. The loud, brash, in your face furniture store ad that had sales on Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY for a one time only event that has been carried over to a THANKSGIVING WEEK SALE... you turn down the volume and go grab a beer. Now think about the clever ad with STRATEGY. You watch. Then it hits you... and you remember it forever.

THAT'S HOME STAGING.

Anyone can make a TV commercial. Especially in this day and age. Anyone can make a logo. Anyone can make a website... but it's the professionals that set themselves apart from the amateurs and provide a real solution. I've read up on the engine of my car, but would I crawl beneath it and start hauling out parts because of things I read on the internet? Not a chance!!! I leave that to the professionals.

If all a home owner wants is a spit and shine.... let them do it themselves. If they want a showcase home that commands top dollar... well you get the picture.

If any Home Stager doesn't grab hold and make use of the limelight provided by someone like Oprah, shame on you. ANY PRESS is GOOD PRESS. Run with it.

I'm hear til Thursday, try the Veal.

Dang it... I didn't log in. The above rant was by me!

Jeff

I would like to think that I have a good eye and that my suggestions to a Home Seller are beneficial even though I am not an interior decorator. Right now I am doing battle with a client, trying as politely as possible, to have him remove the mini-van bench seat from his front porch, did Nate have any suggestions for this? ;^)

Sounds pretty cool

Hey Jeff,

If you read the blog that I just wrote, you'll get a better sense of why I made that comment! And please share it with Lucie!

Mea culpa!

Just chillin' for the rest of the evening,

Val

NOV

2006

How did our old neighbor miss getting Craig on this show? I know he loves her!

$10,000.00 budget? wow does home staging really cost that much? Or is that just Oprahs "budget" ?

One downside to the show was that the sellers had 65 people at the open house but no offers. Nate's perspective on personal photos was interesting. Most real estate agents suggest removing them to depersonalize the house. Nate said he felt it was important to "show people the story of a beautiful life lived in that space." Now if I can only find a couple of good stagers in Las Vegas!

I didn't see the show, well I never watch Oprah. $10,000 staging budget, how expensive of a home was this?

Well, I am not a big Oprah fan... but, I did see commercials advertising this episode and was going to make an effort to watch it. Unfortunately, I forgot and went out to a networking gala. Did anyone get the chance to watch it? Please share you thoughts.

Obviously Oprah believes in keeping the expenses down. :-)) $10,000 for home staging? I wonder if it winds up paying for itself when the house sells??

As a stager, Do you guys think that Nate really helped us? My dvr is not working properly, so I didn't watch the episode. I just read it on Oprah.com. I mean, we all know Nate can decorate but can he STAGE?? I'm not so sure about that! And for Debra Gould and Audra Slinkey, she could have contacted one of you guys and you could have gotten some graduates to help you with the staging. I was talking with an ASP and we both agree that, Oprah should have contacted someone who does this as their profession, not someone who already has a HUGE following..

But now if my phone were to ring and the caller states "I saw all about staging on Oprah and I want you to stage my house!" I wouldnt mind it at all!!

I can't believe I missed it. I will log on and read the transcripts. Staging has hit the mainstream. It's about time.

Unfortunately many of our sellers don't have a budget to redecorate or stage with...we're working on a shoestring. For that kind of budget I could probably make anything look like the Taj Mahal.

While I agree that when Oprah promotes something it sells, I disagree with the fact that people will jump to be on board to get their homes staged WHY? Not everyone has $10K to spend on a home they are selling. I am afraid even more people will be turned off now.

Phyllis Pafumi

NOV

2006

Lucie..... I missed the eposide also. How can I get a copy or view this. I would like to match your comments with the show.

Thanks for sharing....

Good post Lucie!!! Now I want to see the episode. Thanks for the staging tips also!!! - Aloha

I expect to see all home staging prices go UP! ! !

MAR

2007

If Oprah is spreading the word about "home staging", I say AMEN and THANK YOU! The more people there are who have an awareness of what the concept is, the easier it is for all of us to sell our services.

Nate is her pet project and I'm fine with that... speaking of pets, she even used him on a segment about dog training. He owns a couple of very badly behaved dogs so viewers got to see him learn from Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer (who had previously helped Oprah with her own dogs).

And speaking of Nate... did you know he is not a trained interior designer? I mention this not to criticize him at all, but so that any home stagers feeling insecure about not being trained "interior desingers," can stop and realize that's OK (as long as you have vision, talent, taste and understand what sells a house, of course!).

As for the $10,000 budget... clearly only a more expensive home would spend that much... most of my projects are in the $5,000 range if they're renting furniture (way less if they aren't). But on the other hand, Oprah's example is a good balance to all those staging TV shows where they renovate, paint, build furniture, do custom window treatments and pillows and come in at $1,500 because they don't count labor! See Home Staging isn't quite what you see on TV for the kind of emails I get from homeowners learning about home staging while glued to HGTV!

Debra

Hmm...I never knew that about Nate! Gives me a whole different outlook.

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