Special offer

Home Staging Ideas- Please Don't Try This At Home

By
Home Stager

More of the Worst Staging Ideas I’ve Ever Seen.

Staging isn’t an exact science. That said, there have been some staging house cryingideas or home preparation projects that continue to boggle my mind.

Here are 5 of my most memorable:

1.Remove everything

Yes, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had calls from sellers who were told to move everything out of their home and now have to pay to bring furnishings back in.

Leave what you have, call a professional  home stager and let us work with you on what to keep and what to pack.

2.Give everything a coat of white paint.

It surprises me that this is still being used.  If you are selling an institution, then white might work, but you are trying to sell a home, one that will create emotional ties.  

Sterile white walls offer little emotion for a buyer.

3.When in doubt cover it with plants.

I walked in a home that had been staged by their neighbor, a recent graduate of the CTSS (Cable Television Staging School).  Every surface had a huge vase with a flower or plant.

My eyes bounced all over the place. The breakfast table had 3 arrangements on it.

The steps leading to a sunken (another issue) living area had a small potted faux something on each step.

Remember...just because something is flat, doesn’t mean you have to put something on it.

4.Label everything with yellow Post-it notes.

Oh yes, more than one of you has tried this. One seller was an artist.  She placed little notes on small creations of hers with their name and sale price.  These were scattered throughout the house.

Another lovely seller placed a post-it note on the kitchen counter letting would-be buyers know that the counter would be a great place for serving food at a party.

Another note told the buyer that the desk area in the kitchen was perfect for paying bills.

don't stage like this5.Set your bar with a faux party!

I was invited to a broker’s open house and this even scared the agents. In a multi-million dollar home, the bar area was complete with a faux patron.

 She sat there in full regalia for an aging patron of a bar who had seen better days.  (I love whimsy but you have to be judicious with it when selling your home.)

The bar itself was covered in all sorts of barware.  

I have no idea what the actual bar looked like.

If you’re selling your house, don’t leave getting it prepared to chance.  Call a Room Service Home Staging for our tailored for you Home Staging Consultation.

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

In Person Consultations in Texas
for Houston & Harris Counties
and
Virtual Staging Consultations
for all states


Follow My Blog for Practical, Creative,
Easy-to-Do Styling Solutions
Whether You're Selling
or Want to Fall Back in Love
With Your Home
 

561-914-6224
Call or Text

Email Me

About Me
My Blog
   Facebook
Instagram

 

Comments (34)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Good morning, Kathy ---- I have seen each of these "ideas" utilized including a person "hanging around" in a room although I didn't have the presence of mind to snap a photo.    

Sep 20, 2016 12:10 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I have (fortunately) not experienced any of these things, Kathy. But what a hoot! Made my morning, reading your post. And the title is priceless!

Sep 20, 2016 12:22 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kathy,

We have seen many of these ridiculous notions.  I am laughing at the person at the bar...someone had too much to drink when they came up with that.  A

Sep 20, 2016 12:26 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy

It's interesting how much of this stuff we still see, and in some otherwsie beautiful homes. One has to wonder what they are thinking, or not.

Jeff

Sep 20, 2016 12:43 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Love Love Love it.  THese are great tips.  I'm not sure who this person is out there who keeps telling seller to paint everything white.  Yawn!!!!  I see it far too many times.

Featured in BananaTude!

Sep 20, 2016 12:57 AM
Kathy Stoltman
Balboa Real Estate - Ventura, CA
Ventura County Real Estate Consultant 805-746-1793

Kathy, some of these are hilarious!  I do see the white walls a lot.

Sep 20, 2016 02:57 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Kathy - Those would be funny if I hadn't seen almost all of them - no life-size bar patrons yet (but I did see a house with over 200 dolls of all sizes scattered around - that was exceptionally creepy!)

Sep 20, 2016 04:06 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Haha, even I would no better than to suggest any of those!  It seems that trying to cover something up would only draw more attention to it, haha.

Sep 20, 2016 04:20 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

We have also had a manquin in the bathtub of one of our listings.  It's a bit creepy. 

Sep 20, 2016 05:20 AM
Mark Loewenberg
KW of the Palm Beaches - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
KW 561-214-0370

tie between the last two as my favorites here... the party almost pushed it over the edge, but I still like the for sale signs inside too

Sep 20, 2016 05:57 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Dorie- I've seen a half mannequin outside a bedroom door! Dorie Dillard 

Sep 20, 2016 07:27 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I am ashamed to say that there may have been a day when I would have tried to carry on a conversation with that bar figure

Sep 20, 2016 12:26 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sharon Tara yiu'dbthink she could tuck them in or under the items.

Tammy Lankford, you're smart to tackle that now!

Sheri Sperry - MCNE thank you for your very kind words! Hope everyone got a bit of a chuckle!

 

Sep 20, 2016 12:54 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Rebecca Lewis one client had a human-sized figure of a butler at the door. He scared buyers away!

George Souto not you! I don't believe it!

Sep 20, 2016 12:57 PM
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

It's amazing how some people think. I went in a house where basement was recently finished by sellers thinking it would help sell. He had yellow post-it notes everywhere. Every switch, plug, light, etc had a note saying " This is a plug", " this is a switch", "this is a light", " this is a smoke alarm", " this is a window", etc. everything was labeled.

Sep 21, 2016 12:47 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Great how not to stage a home tips Kathy Streib - especially the labels.  I always get a small chuckle when I see photos that agents simply word with "kitchen" or "bathroom". 

Sep 21, 2016 12:44 PM
L. Scott Ferguson
Ask4Ferguson - Your House-SOLD Name in Real Estate - West Palm Beach, FL
Sunny Florida Real Estate Professional

Kathy!

Great featured post!  

Hey my market is Palm Beach Gardens/Jupiter/Juno/Tequesta.  We should connect.

 

Fergie

Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe

Sep 22, 2016 10:04 PM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Great list of things NOT to do when staging a home Kathy.

"Remember... just because something is flat, doesn't mean you have to put something on it."  ~ Love that line. So true!

 

 

Sep 27, 2016 09:06 AM
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I am still laughing from your photo of the faux bar patron! Better suited to staging a Halloween Party than a luxury home.

Oct 05, 2016 10:30 AM
Libby Cousins
Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA
Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA

The bar patron does look like she belongs in FL, but outside by a pool!  I hope someone suggested to the agent that they remove the little party scene before holding an actual open house. That would be a distraction! :)

Oct 18, 2016 01:15 AM