HomeWorx by Cheryl Von Tress

Nationally and locally, the real estate market is heating up! As this seller’s market emerges while mortgage loan interest rates remain low, more homes are being listed for positive reasons. Whether you’re preparing a home for selling or for continued enjoyment, home staging ideas are beneficial to employ.

A Clean Slate—A fresh start for yourself or for presenting your home to buyers is the key place to begin. A thorough cleaning involves the general areas as well as window frame channels, electrical outlet and switch covers (interior and exterior), ceiling fan housing and blades, lamp shades (fabric, glass, metal) and diffusers on hanging lights (bugs and dust collect in open top lighting). Wipe-down walls and vacuum wood ceilings or beams. Touch-up paint nicks throughout the house if you are not re-painting. Deep-clean and deodorize carpets, area rugs and window coverings (especially blinds and shades).

The details! Every home I’ve sold or staged, has all drawers, shelves, closets and storage areas completely cleaned, new drawer liner and shelf paper added and organized. Closet interiors get a fresh coat of paint. Realtors have remarked that clients say: “Wow, I could move right in.” This step is essential to removing any qualms for the buyer in whether the home will actually be clean when they arrive to move in. This step is terrific for home sellers or “home keepers”—almost nothing feels better than clean, clear storage areas that are functional. For the home seller, it’s a great first step to reducing what you’ll need to pack and move.

Kitsch Clearing—If you are selling, buyers want to imagine themselves in the home. Store photographs, memorabilia, collections and personal decorations. For home sellers, this is a great first step in preparing to move. Use mantles and tables as decorative life displays, e.g., place a lamp, a small plant, and a book on an end table.

Re-Think Furnishings—Increase visual floor space by removing one or two pieces of furniture—allow air flow around objects. Make sure the room has a strong focal point and make that inviting and beautiful. If you have a large-scale dining table, use only six matching chairs or use four existing chairs and purchase two chairs of a different style for the table ends. If you’re remaining in your home, analyze whether all existing furniture is necessary.

Highlight the flow of your rooms by arranging the furniture to guide buyers from one room to another. Consider creating the focal point as the farthest wall from the doorway then arrange furniture to enhance that area. In the bedroom, the bed is the focal point–make it beautiful.

Colorize—A fresh coat of warm neutral hue (in varying shades) throughout the house will bring a sense of calm. Smaller spaces can take deeper values of color and become richer visually. Neutrals in tans will have undertones of gray, green, rose so shop carefully or get help from a professional decorator.

Accessories are the perfect way to add the pizazz a room needs. Colorful throws, pillows, vases, lamp bases and lush green plants in pretty containers add energy. Make sure your rooms have some sparkle—clear glass, glossy ceramic pieces, mirrors, shiny metal accessories—these work well. If you’re selling, change to higher-wattage bulbs in your light fixtures to brighten dark areas like corners (using up-lights) and basements.

Set The Scene—For an open house showing, lay logs in the fireplace, set the dining room and kitchen tables with dishes, pretty linens and glassware and a centerpiece of fresh fruit or flowers. Create other vignettes throughout the home—such as a chess game in progress—to help buyers envision living there. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Turn lights on. I’ve toured homes as a buyer and a gray home interior is the most unpleasant feeling.

Make your bathrooms feel luxurious by displaying new linens, fresh dispenser hand soap, and a vase of flowers. Of course, your personal toiletries and medications are tucked out of sight and reach.

If you have pets, clean bedding frequently and spray an odor remover before each showing.

The Grand Entrance—Whether your home us humble or majestic, have the yard looking its best. Prior to open houses or scheduled showings, sprinkle the grass thirty minutes early and shower shrubs so everything looks dewy and sparkles in the light. Colorful flowers and well-trimmed plants are essential to first impressions. Repair any problems with walkways and all door entrances. Seasonal door wreaths are a nice touch.

Cheryl von Tress

Cheryl von Tress

Cheryl von Tress is an interior designer, decorator and artist. Cheryl von Tress Design Group is recognized locally as a leading design firm. Reach them at 541-951-9462.