I'm your personal Home Elevator Operator, educated on every level of all your decorative needs no matter which floor you may require. Whether you wish the 1^st floor - "Moving In," or top floor -"Moving Out," I'm there to help push all the right buttons (I also have the talent to stop in between floors, but that's another tale...)
If requiring a trip to the top floor "Moving Out -" I've got some helpful  tips on which buttons to push to get that Living Room in top shelf condition.

• The Home's 1^st Impression - One of the two rooms that flag the foyer, this space needs to set the collective tone for the whole home and impress the potential buyer.
• A Whole Lot of P's - Once you've reached this floor, there may be packing, depersonalizing, pulling (as in wallpaper,) and painting in this space.  May I suggest a calming, classic & reserved tone such as SW-7694 Dromedary Camel.
• Give the Space a Spa Day - Refresh that Space!  Clean the carpet or buff the floors, touch up the trim, vacuum the cushions, polish the wood, and Windex the glass. A bit of spit and polish will make everything shine. You get a 578% return on your investment.
• Fixate on a Focal Point - Every space has a great feature, it could be a beautiful picture window or fantastic fireplace.  Showcase this wonderful selling feature by arranging seating and furniture accordingly. 
• Queue Home's Style & Stature - Make sure that your furnishings and accents are in tune to your home's style and stature.  There's nothing worse than the wrong shoes with a great dress.
• Selling Square Footage - Keep in mind when creating your seating arrangement - you're selling square footage. Keep your HGTV angles and furniture to a practical minimum.
• Corral your Collections - Although you may love acres of family photos, Thomas Kincaid's, or candles, when selling a home the collections must be minimized.  Too many multiples are distracting,  take up space, and may trigger personal opinions.
• Making Positive Sense - Push the emotion button by evoking the senses.  Try a large vase brimming with bright seasonal blooms either store bought or from your own back yard.  (A personal favorite is simple fresh hosta leaves in a clear vase. )  Open the windows and let a gentle breeze stir, and try some tactile accents such as knobby throws or bamboo containers as a foil to smooth fabrics or shiny woods.

Set the stage for your home by presenting the Living Room in its best light.  By showcasing the room's selling features, creating an emotional connection, and setting the style and stature of the home - You'll be pushing all the right buttons for a successful sale of your home.  

Interior stylist Julea Joseph specializes home staging, room makeovers, & traditional design services in the Chicagoland area. Her work and design philosophy have been featured on HGTV and in numerous publications. She can be reached at 708-448-7500 or www.julea.com.