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Home Stagers: What's your favorite tool?

By
Home Stager with Staging Diva / Six Elements Inc.

Debra Gould, the Staging DivaLooking at the photo of me that's often used in the press, with the drill and tulips, you'd probably guess those are my favorite tools. Actually they come a close third and fourth. The most important staging tools a home stager has (other than their innate talent) is a measuring tape and paint swatch book.

Don't make the mistake of getting one of those small, light, easy to carry measuring tapes or those fancy new laser ones.

You need a good old fashioned contractors-grade tape measure. It's bulky and usual neon colored (so they can find it in the drywall dust I guess), but it does the job.

While I can walk into a room and almost instantly know if the furniture is in the wrong place or it's the wrong size, I do rely on my measuring tape to help me decide how to move it all around. Don't leave home without it!

My second essential tool is my paint swatch designers kit. Not only does it contain 2500+ colors, it gives me larger samples of each. I recommend paint colors in many of my home staging consultations, plus many of my clients want me to pick colors for their new home.

Home stagers, what are your favorite tools? What do you take with you to every client meeting?

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Six Elements Inc. Home Staging

Internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould is president of Six Elements and creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program with 900+ Graduates worldwide. She is the author of:

"Staging Diva Home Staging Consultation Checklist with Room-by-Room Client Planning Forms"

Staging Diva Ultimate Color Guide: The Easy Way to Pick colors for Home Staging Projects

Staging Diva Ultimate Guide: Creating The Perfect Portfolio to Sell Your Home Staging Services

Fernando Rosado
West Palm Beach, FL
561-906-0050 or 561-840-8950

I guess my favorite tools are the furniture sliders!! I cannot stage without them. And my lower back is very thankful !

Sep 12, 2008 07:58 AM
Julea Joseph
Reinventing Space - Chicago, IL
Julea Joseph House Stager - Reinventing Space

Well that would depend which stage I'm at w/the project.  If it is for the evaluation, then I'm w/you, except I only now carry in my brief case the AWESOME "Concepts in Color" fan deck from Sherwin Williams.  Small, yet powerful it is full w/the best of the best colors that designers and decorators use and always in vogue for Stage appropriate palettes.  If I'm at the next level, hands on, I'm w/ Fernando and my sliders are my best assistants!

Sep 12, 2008 08:36 AM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

My most useful tool is my three-step ladder.  I take it on every job.  I'm 5'4", so I usually need a little boost when hanging art or working on tall cabinets. 

Debra:  Would you consider joining and posting to the ADE (Association of Design Education) Group?  Thanks - Julie

Sep 13, 2008 04:28 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

I would have to say my favorite tool is my friend's husband. That may sound strange, but here's why: he used to hang artwork for the Denver Art Museum, and for an unbelievably low price, he will come to the home I am staging and hang the artwork. I only use him in the really old homes with plaster walls, but he has been a lifesaver. I wish I could tell you a store where you could pick one up!

Sep 13, 2008 05:21 AM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Hi Debra,

Well, aside from the tape measure and a pad & pen for notes, my digital camera is probably the most necessary 'tool' that I bring when touring a house for the first time.  Since the majority of my jobs come from vacant houses and new construction, the pictures help me to recall each room and are invaluable when choosing the furnishings.  In addition, those pictures become the 'before' photos for my portfolio.

Val

Sep 13, 2008 12:40 PM
Leah J. Armstrong
House to Home ReDesigns & Real Estate Staging Vancouver B.C. - Port Moody, BC
Home Staging Port Moody B.C.

Hands down, my picture hanging tool because it is such a time saver - no measuring required! www.hangandlevel.com   It is as easy to use as the video clip says it is.  Available at Benjamin Moore in Canada. 

Sep 13, 2008 03:48 PM
Kelly Townsend
Coldwell Banker - Santa Rosa, CA
CDPE, Realtor

Hi Debra -

When I go out to do a bid my favorite tools are my digital camera, tape measure and clipboard. For paint samples, I've created my own 8.5 x 11 boards of the colors that I recommend a lot.

For actual staging it would have to be the sliders, my laser level and a magic eraser!

Sep 15, 2008 11:29 AM
Kristina Leone
Lionheart Home Staging, LLC - Minneapolis, MN

I will steal Fernando and Kelly's answers:  furniture slides and my digital camera.  They are a constant presence in my bag.

Sep 15, 2008 12:20 PM
Vicki Styons
RoomBenders - Columbia, SC

I also use my camera as my note taker.  Any thing that I want to address, gets a picture taken--cracks in the wall, places that needs pictures, etc.  As Fernando and other have said, sliders are wonderful.  I don't leave home without them. Of course like Debra, I also have my tape measure and paint swatches.  I really like the idea of making color boards.  Think I will start on that! Thanks, Kelly.

Sep 15, 2008 12:40 PM
Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging
2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON

My favorite tool has to be my camera.

After that it is my pen and paper...ok, and measuring tape!

Oct 01, 2008 03:30 PM
Teri L'Hirondelle
1st Impression Homestaging - Coeur d'Alene, ID

Oh my camera ofcourse!  But the measuring tape is a close 2nd along with a notepad & pen.

Oct 01, 2008 04:21 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

I am like an echo here-my camera is my second brain and favorite tool!  It helps me recall what I forgot to record or jot down.     

Oct 01, 2008 04:50 PM