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Decorating Dimensions

By
Home Stager

Decorating Dimensions

This handy resource guide will help  you remember a few home decorating MATH FACTS...ruler

Hanging Artwork

  • Artwork should fill 2/3 of the horizontal space above furniture.
  • The bottom of artwork should be hung 3”- 6” from the top of the furniture.
  • Artwork with no furniture beneath it should be hung 55" - 60" above the floor and should fill 2/3 of the wall space. 

Furniture Placement

  • Maintain a distance of 30" - 36" for main walkways around furniture.  Anything less than 30" will appear too crowded.
  • Area rugs (generally 6' x 9' or larger) help ground seating areas, just make sure there's no visible space between the rug and the furniture. 

Lighting

  • Use a minimum of 3 regular size (not accent size) lamps per room.  Placing them in the shape of a triangle will ensure dark spots in a room are illuminated.
  • Chandeliers should be hung 26" to 36" above the dining table.  

Window Treatments

  • Hang drapes and panels 6" - 9" above the window casing (if possible). This will make the window appear larger.
  • Valances should be 18" - 20" long.  If possible hang them so that the bottom just reaches the top of the window glass, covering the casing and blinds. 

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Posted by


                                           

 

Ready2Sellin30Days

Karen Bernetti is a Real Estate Stager, Former Realtor®, Author, Speaker, and Owner of Staging4Smooth Transitions - specializing in assisting seniors with their downsize moves and offering Home2Home Transitions seminars. Karen is also the Social Media Manager and Administrative Coordinator for Prudential CT Realty, in Madison, CT and Co-creator of the Ready2Sellin30Days System - an interactive multi-media program teaching do-it-yourself homeowners EVERYHTING they need to know about preparing a home for sale. Stay up to date on the latest staging and home decor trends by visiting Karen & Ann's Home Sale Success Blog.  

 

Carol Faaland-Kronmaier
Weichert, Realtors; Hillsborough - Hillsborough, NJ
PhD, e-PRO, Manville, Hillsborough, Somerset NJ

Karen, Great tips for anyone redecorating. But especially useful to show to clients when they are about to put their home on the market.

Jun 23, 2011 06:07 AM
Roseville Rental Properties - Homes & Condos For Rent in Roseville / Placer County, California (916) 408-5500
Roseville Rental Properties - Roseville, CA
Property Management and Tenant Placement Services

Karen, I found this on Barbara Bodnar's re-blog. Thanks for sharing these important guidelines, I think everyone can benefit from following them, even if their home isn't for sale.

Jun 23, 2011 08:12 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Great info Karen.  I always wondered aboutt this stuff.  I'm going to reblog.

Jun 23, 2011 09:06 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Karen- almost missed this one but Debbie reblogged it!  It's helpful information for everyone to keep on hand.

Jun 23, 2011 10:05 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Karen I wish I had those tip when my wife had me hanging pictures and drapes this past weekend.

Jun 23, 2011 10:51 AM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Karen, great tips and so useful.  I will definitely save for these tips are needed for sellers.  Thank you!

Jun 23, 2011 11:55 AM
Karen Bernetti
Southington, CT

Cinda, I was a little too techno-challenged to figure it out but my friend Melissa McKinney hooked me up with those buttons.  She's one of those techno-geniuses - she's also an angel, an absolute wealth of knowledge and an AR Ambassador - it's good to have friends in high places; -) Be sure to subscribe to her blog, get to know her and you'll learn so much. 

Jun 23, 2011 12:39 PM
Karen Bernetti
Southington, CT

Carol - so glad you found the information helpful

Debbie - thanks for the re-blog!

Kathy - It's good to have fact sheets with useful information like this to give people (with your contact info on it of course) People tend to hang on to it longer - unlike a a business card

George - you should've called me silly!!  You've been very helpful to me and I'd love to reciprocate - remember that next time, okay?

Judith - you're welcome! 

 

 

Jun 23, 2011 12:50 PM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

This is such excellent advice, Karen.  I'm going to bookmark and re-blog. Thanks!

Jun 23, 2011 01:46 PM
Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.
eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC
Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

HI Karen,

You are the master of making challenging things become simple, good for you, and thank you for sharing this. With your okay we love to reblog this, (hopefully generate a little extra cash-flow for you at the same time......;)

Jun 24, 2011 01:57 PM
Christine Farkas
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Awesome Customer Service Experience

fantastic article! dimensions are sometimes overlooked but it's one of the most important aspects in home decoration.

Jun 24, 2011 02:06 PM
Karen Bernetti
Southington, CT

Thanks Tish

Mr & Mrs. Pfanntastic - re-blog away! 

Chirs - happy to help!

Jun 25, 2011 12:08 AM
Ridhi Raheja
Movement Mortgage (Illinois) - Naperville, IL
FHA, 203k, VA, Jumbo, PreApproval, Jumbo Home Loan

Karen, Great tips. I think i will start adding this article to all my buyers closing books that we give out.

Jun 25, 2011 02:37 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Karen -- this is a very handy reference for homeowners -- thanks for sharing it!

Jun 26, 2011 07:09 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

This is great Karen!  Luckily I saw it on Leilani Souza's reblog!

Jun 27, 2011 05:34 PM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Karen-Thanks for some of the principals of decorating. I like to leave it to the expects. I think I know what looks good, but I don't trust myself to give a reason as to why.

Jun 28, 2011 08:10 AM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Karen - great tips.  The lighting one was really interesting and my question is, if there is overhead lighting, should there still be that many?  What about those pesky cords required to get a lamp over to that far table?  I think they're unsightly.

And, yes, I will stop back, LOL. 

Jun 30, 2011 04:20 AM
Karen Bernetti
Southington, CT

Riddhi - that would be GREAT thanks!

Maureen  - you're welcome

DeeDee - gotta love those re-blogs

Wayne - I know A LOT of great stagers in Texas.  If you ever have a need be sure to let me know!

Juli - in most cases lamp lighting is preferable to overhead lighting, in my opinion at least.  Lamps provide more ambiance and just give a warmer feeling.  And those pesky cords are a challenge for everyone. If adding additional outlets isn't an option, just try to arrange the furniture in such a way so that they are camouflaged. Of course an exposed cord (or even 2) here or there is not the end of the world.  I've found that extension cords that run behind furniture can also help.

Jul 03, 2011 06:21 AM
Lounsbury Real Estate
Kailua, HI

Karen, thanks for the great information.  I learned a lot, and it is useful information to pass on to both buyers and sellers. 

Jul 04, 2011 05:49 PM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Karen, I haven't visited your blog in a while, sorry.  This is a post many people will find helpful so I am going to re-blog this for my audiences benefit.

Jul 17, 2011 12:42 PM