Staging a Home Using Our Senses

When potential buyers are shopping for a home, they are searching for something that "feels right" within each room they enter.  We know that every buyer is different in the type of house they are searching for, but one thing remains the same, everyone hopes to become engaged in a positive, enjoyable experience when they shop for a house.  They want to experience a "home" where they can live peacefully, comfortably, and enjoyably.

When helping clients to prepare a house to sell, the focus is usually on eliminating clutter, neutralizing the wall colors, lightening up the rooms, and creating curb appeal.  Real estate agents hope that in doing at least that much, the house will show as well as the competition.  With some creative marketing strategies, it should sell quickly and for the right price.  But within those preparations, only one of our senses is truly being focused upon - our sense of sight.  In today's economy we should be helping our clients to get on TOP of the competition, not alongside it.

But how do we create an atmospheric experience that is inviting, and refreshing; one that stimulates the senses in some areas, while triggering specific emotions in others?   How do we enhance the potential buyer's senses to invoke a strong sale?  Well, it's not as difficult as it may seem.  The goal of turning a house into a HOME is simply as easy as providing an atmosphere where they use ALL their senses (seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting), not just one.  We strategically provide a stimulating environment by carefully placing specific elements in the home; giving buyer's reason to browse, feel, and envision themselves in the home.

Atmospherics is used in stores to create attention, send messages, and arouse or trigger sensations that lead to purchases. Simon A. Faure-Field, CEO of Equal Strategy says, "If the customer was aroused by the store, they would feel alert and excited and their stay in the store would be longer."  He states that enjoyment and entertainment are important benefits of shopping, valued by customers, and reflected in their spending.  This same concept can easily be adapted to clients who are shopping for homes to buy.  Our goal is to help them to become engaged in the homes they view, enjoy themselves while looking around, and in turn "stay longer", which just might prompt an offer!

As a home stager, my goal is to package a home by establishing a specific connection or mood that triggers positive feelings and memories.  We might place appropriate music in strategic locations.  Certain fragrances can be used to evoke childhood memories and moods.  Accessories and different fabric textures can add interest and provide creative ideas for buyers to apply to a new home.  And the simple addition of just-baked cookies might tempt the palate while providing a warm and sweet finale to their shopping experience.

Don't underestimate the power of home atmospherics when packaging a home for sale.  Final Touch Designs can create a shopping experience that uses a multi-sensory approach to engage home buyers.  We team up with real estate agents so they stand apart from other agents, and the homes they sell stand apart from their competition!

Cathy Dick

Final Touch Designs, Inc.