The last thing any homeowner or seller wants to do is scare away a buyer but many homeowners are staging their home with items, designs or materials that are just not practical and actually do more harm than good. I was recently in a home with one of my buyers and the wallpaper, which was brand-new and installed just for staging was so obnoxious and loud that we couldn't even stand to be in the room. This is something that buyers will immediately have to replace so as soon as buyers see "work" involved, they're already putting the property far down on the list. The last thing homeowners should do is create more work for their buyers so offering a neutral palette, updated home trends and practical layouts are really the best way to appeal to a wide range of buyers.
Related: Luxury Home Trends for 2016
Here are five staging designs that most homeowners should just steer clear of to not offend potential buyers.
#1. Busy wallpaper.
As I mentioned previously, busy or loud wallpaper can deter buyers and if buyers plan on removing the wallpaper it just looks like work. Now, some wallpaper can still be in style and it doesn't have to be a trend of the 1970s but strong, geometric patterns, loud contrasting colors or bold and irritating patterns can really detract from the entire room and turned buyers off. Paint can usually be covered within a couple of hours but replacing wallpaper includes a lot more work.
#2. Bathroom vanities with no storage.
Beautiful bathroom vanities that have open space underneath might look pretty but there simply not practical. There's no storage, and anything that is kept under the vanity can be an eyesore and look cluttered. It's best to have a full vanity with cupboard to hide garbage cans, bathroom toiletries or towels.
#3. Glass pendants.
Glass pendants or hanging chandeliers are pretty and in the right home can really add a nice pop of color and charm but for families with small children all they see is a set up for disaster. A stray ball could knock out one of those glass pendants in a heartbeat or if you have tall family members they could be bumping their head into them causing not just pain but irritation. It's best to have simple chandeliers and light fixtures that will appeal to the majority of homebuyers.
#4. Marble countertops.
Marble might seem beautiful and in the right layout it's simply gorgeous but for families with kids or even many homeowners all they see is more work. Spilled glass of red juice could sustain the marble and acidic fruits and vegetables could tarnish the look and shine of the marble. It's better to go with a granite or a quartz rather than marble.
#5. Brass fixtures.
Need I really say more? Brass is simply out but we've also dealt with brushed chrome and nickel for the last decade or more. Although brass is not horrible there are better finishes such as antiqued patina, brushed bronze and more subtle colors that can blend into a wide range of home decor. If you have a fireplace with brass louvers you can simply get some paint at the local hardware store that is heat resistant and can easily change the look and feel of a fireplace. Faucets, light fixtures and hardware will all need to be replaced.
For more information on home trends and staging your Palm Desert home for sale contact my office today.
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Images by Mike Fisher & Design Initiative
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