This is a great post :)

I understand the stress over clutter, but germs? Did you know that exposure to some germs is actually good for you and living in the sterile environment some strive for actually makes you more vulnerable when you are eventually exposed, as you will be.

I must admit that I do appreciate the de-cluttered look much better.

Cindy,

Great pictures good advice.  Thanks for the blog.

Brad 

Cindy ~ great transformation, congrats on the quick sale.  If that doesn't convince folks that staging works, something is amiss!

I need a stager for my house.  But my  house is not for sale.  lol

Cindy, a different approach...love the less stress point of view.  Good for you!

Teresa-Thanks I'm glad you liked

Graham-the germs are from the uncleanliness and unsanitary areas.

Brenda-I agree!

Bradley-Thanks for commenting.

Maureen-It had the least clutter of all the rooms-so you can imagine what the rest of the house looked like.

Karen-Ha! So do I!

Ginger-It's so true though.

HA.  I feel the same way as Karen Rice.....
Wonderful pictorial example!

Proof; right here before our very own eyes just how effective staging is.  The difference is night/day. 

Congratulations.  Your post is being featured within the group Staging Before & After Pictures.

Kathy

What a great post!  The visual difference is amazing.  I never thought about the negative implications of clutter, but it makes absolute sense. 

Cindy, do you ever watch that BBC show "Clean House" where the two women go into people's homes that haven't been cleaned in like 25 years and clean them up?  OMG how can people live like that.  My observation in that show is that most of the people are overweight and don't seem very happy.  And the swabs taken of the kitchen area always show masses of ecoli and other bacteria growing around the food handling areas, so its no wonder people would be sick.  Love you post and love your visual!

Great Post Cindy!   Good pictures and good information.  Staging brings results for sure.

Cindy, This is an excellent example of staging. Being able to see the counter tops is simply imperative. Also the window treatment is such a fantastic improvement. Way to go Cindy! Congratulations on the 1 day staging job! :)

Cindy-Great job! Thanks for giving me another excuse for my extra ten pounds!!! ;)

The anti-clutter diet!  Write a book and make millions!

Great after photo! 

Have you seen the show, "How clean is your house?"... it's a British show where they create dramatic makeovers just by cleaning.... the homes are definately gross, but the show is a hilarious rendition of a redesign.  It is UNBELIEVABLE how some people actually live....

Nancy-don't we all.

Kathy-Thanks so much for featuring my post, that's really nice of you!

Tracey-If we think about it-there really are negative effects.

Terry-Yes, I've seen that show, this house was almost as bad.

Ricki-Thanks for your comment.

Yvonne-Yes, it does help to be able to see the counters, these were a disaster.

Elaine-I dont' need an excuse!

Kristina-Really, not a bad idea, everyone seems to have a book!

Melissa-Yes, those houses are disgusting.  It always amazes me how people live! You never know...

Hey well done, Cindy!  You took an overwhelming task and created something so fresh, young and inviting.  A well-deserved victory.

Great Job and I agree that when something appears to overwhelming to tackle people just let it go. I had a house like this the week before Christmas. The clients were sooooo overwhelmed with the clutter that they just let it go. THey were hugging me and crying because I just helped them start this process that they were avoiding. Once I had 1-800-GoTJUNK there to help as well as my cleaning crew, the clients immediately started throwing out items and pitching in. They had a very lovely, clutter free Christmas and hopefully a very nice offer real soon.

COngrats on the selling of the house!

Phyllis Pafumi

Ah...clutter causes weight gain...hmmm...THAT's why I have to clean my office up! :)

Julia

Cindy - This doesn't even look like the same space.  I can imagine that every person who looked at this house before staging had to feel overwhelmed by the clutter and had no idea what the kitchen actually looked like.  Great example!  Great job!

I agree with what you've written about stress.  Looking at the first picture does make me feel more stressed (can you imagine living there?)...and the second is more calming.  Sometimes we just need a little help to know where to start!  Nice job!

Isn't it amazing how some people live? I would weigh five hundred pounds if my desk was in the kitchen!!! ;)

HA! That's really crazy that they even tried selling their home like that. Not surprised you guys helped them sell it so fast.  Great work, and great comparison pictures.

-Chris 

Awesome transformation!  What an amazing success story.  How awesome for you! 

Great pictures of how cleaning up and staging a property properly can make a huge difference.

Wow what a great transformation.

Before photo's make me want to run.  The after photo's make me want to stay and have a cup of tea! GREAT JOB!  Proven that staging works. YOU give stager a boost in a slow RE market!!! Well done.

Brenda

Hiddenpotentialhomestage.com 

Juliet-Thanks-had to use what I could find-talk about a challenge.

Phyllis-I was overwhelmed and wanted to cry!! HA!

Julia-I need to do the same!

Yikes!  That first photo definitely made me crazy.

What a happy ending.  Staged and sold in a day!  You go Girl!

Janice-Thanks, it drove me crazy too!

Cluttered houses look so neglected. Where did they put on their stuff, Cindy-in storage?

Kathy

Kathy, they had a tag sale and sold most of it, that's why I had to go through garage to find leftover pieces.