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Making buyers feel at home

By
Home Stager with Hope Designs

If you are anything like me, when I go into a house, either for work or when visiting, in my minds eye I start looking for a "comfort" area or "cozy nook".  Especially, if it is a large home with contemperary furniture and big windows.  I say to myself,"now where would I curl up with a good book and a cup of tea"?

Perhaps when staging, we should keep that comfort zone in mind.  I know as stagers our goal is to declutter and downsize, but perhaps a small comfortable area or nook might be just what the prospective home buyer needs to find in a home they are considering buying.

Why not contemplate adding a chaise lounge to the master bedroom, or a large comfy chair in the den or TV room. Be sure to include some overstuffed down pillows and a faux fur throw (draped over the side).  Soft muted lighting, an end table (to sit your book and tea on) and floor plants will really add to the ambiance.

Often we are so concerned with neutralizing and depersonalizing the environment (to prepare the home for sale) that we forget that potential home buyers have to imagine themselves cozy and comfortably living in the home.

 

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Comments(9)

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Wanda Richards
Shows Great Home Staging and Web Solutions - Roanoke, VA
Shows Great Home Staging

Great post.  I staged a vacant home for a Realtor and after it sold in just a few weeks, his comment was that it was so comfortable that it made the visitors feel at home and want to stay longer.  I think we sometimes spend so much time nuetralizing and removing the personality that we forget that we are wanting to create the feeling of home.  I guess there is a thin line between warm and inviting and too much personality.  

May 28, 2008 10:37 PM
Hope Designs
Hope Designs - Bolton, ON
Hope Designs, Toronto’s Award Winning Home Staging

HI WANDA: Thanks so much for reading my blog and for your comments, I totally agree with all of your points. Congrats on selling your vacant so quickly!

May 29, 2008 01:55 PM
No Longer Active in Staging. No Longer Staging
Hickory, NC

Hi Lori,

Thanks for the reminder to add some "cozy" warm fuzzies... It's all about creating emotions !!

May 29, 2008 02:31 PM
Hope Designs
Hope Designs - Bolton, ON
Hope Designs, Toronto’s Award Winning Home Staging

Hi Cheryl: Thanks for reading my post and for taking the time to comment. Warm fuzzies are what life is all about! Take care, Lori

Jun 02, 2008 03:11 AM
Barbara Cluck-Miksits
BCM Home Staging LLC - Ridgewood, NJ
Home Staging - New Jersey

Lori, This was a great post and it makes me re-think the idea of a cozy spot in a room. I like that idea and I am going to keep that in mind the next time I stage. Thanks!

Jun 03, 2008 03:36 PM
Hope Designs
Hope Designs - Bolton, ON
Hope Designs, Toronto’s Award Winning Home Staging

Hi Barbara: I'm glad you liked the ideas, thanks for your comments....Happy staging!

Jun 05, 2008 01:04 PM
Tori Lynn Wallitsch
Prudential Ambassador / Ross Designs, LLC - Omaha, NE

I Always look for where to incorpoate a reading nook or conversation area.  It's amazing how adding an occasional chair or two to the right space can make a room feel larger and MORE functional. Good reminder.

Jun 08, 2008 03:16 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

HI!  I love your photo of the nice chair in the master bedroom with a pretty lamp and book!  Makes any buyer want to coem in and sit down and get comfy!!  Nice post!! 

Jun 08, 2008 04:54 PM
Hope Designs
Hope Designs - Bolton, ON
Hope Designs, Toronto’s Award Winning Home Staging

Tori Lynn: Thanks for your comments, I think I have always been aware of the need to add a reading nook, my Mom is an AVID reader, and most of my memories of her are of her curled up having a cup of tea and reading a huge novel.

Jun 10, 2008 03:06 AM