Contemporary Home Staging: Deal Breakers to Avoid

 

Home staging is a fine art that takes time to master. You have a limited budget, time, and energy at your disposal and to make it worse, you are not giving your place a makeover for your own pleasure. You need to know what works in terms of your potential customers. There are also some deal-busting pitfalls you want to steer away from at all costs. Make no mistake: they can kill your home’s vibe in an instant and ruin your plans. That being said, if you play it smart, you are in a commanding position. You can avoid breaking the bank and blow people away.    

A sure-fire approach

First of all, you must set your own preferences aside. One of the worst things you can do is make the home ooze your personality and taste. This hampers the ability of people to envision themselves making your environment their true home. Thus, you need to get to know who your target customers are. Is your neighbourhood popular with millennials or senior citizens? Is the type of property suited for students or families? The answers to these questions should serve as staging lodestars.

Along the similar lines, you should refrain from blindly following fads. They are rather hit-and-miss when it comes to hitting close to home of your target audience. Your best shot is to aim for a contemporary, yet timeless appeal that is not going to fall out of fashion in a matter of months. For example, you can hardly go wrong with neutral and subdued colours as cores of the palette. And if you do want to be trendy, check out the Pantone’s Colour of the Year (Ultraviolet for 2018).

Common style threads

You might be wondering what overall style to go for. Again, it all depends on who you are staging for. For instance, in a hip area where young professionals flock, minimalist artwork and mid-century furniture could really pay off. An eclectic look is not advisable unless you have interior design experience behind you. If you are seeking inspiration, check out these fine samples of contemporary home staging in Sydney.   

One mistake so many people make is turning their abodes into sterile and uninviting “homes” from pages of a magazine. You are better off using pops of brighter colour here and there to breathe life into a dull space. If you know what you are doing, go bigger—create a true wow effect with an accent wall. This kind of feature adds a sense of depth and drama, especially if the rest of the backdrop is monochromatic. Likewise, do not shy away from contrasts and use patterns and textures sparingly.

In a new light

To flesh the desired look out, you can use a plethora of different elements. Removable wallpapers and graphics are a low-cost and low-risk addition. Another affordable tool for sprucing up comes in the form of window treatments. Do not skimp in this department, but also, do not go overboard either. Having too many bold décor pieces fighting for attention is the opposite of what you want to achieve. Learn to make an impact without overwhelming with visual noise. In the realm of interior design, less is often more.

This principle brings us to the next point. Decluttering is the key phase of the staging process. You have to get rid of anything that gets in the way of people falling in love with your home. Also, do away with furniture pieces that obstruct the free flow of traffic. Take your time figuring out the optimal arrangement to foster an open, airy feel. A king-sized bed does not make much sense in a small bedroom, does it?

Finally, make sure to eliminate any outdated features that can really turn the buyers away. Lighting fixtures are one of the best examples. An unsightly piece that casts shadows destroys the visual appeal of rooms. On the other hand, great, modern lighting helps you highlight the most attractive design and architectural elements of the home. So, if you want something to splurge on, let it be a striking chandelier, sconce, or pendant light. It can serve as a spellbinding focal point.

The stage is set

Following the tried and true steps of home staging, it is possible to make a big difference without blowing the budget. On the other hand, there are some deadly sins against good taste you cannot afford to commit. To eschew this disaster, develop a deeper understanding of your audience. Swap out ugly and outdated features and strip the home of your own personality. Pay special attention to staples of the home’s appeal, such as lighting fixtures and paint colour. The chief goal is to set the stage for homeownership dreams to come alive and your selling goals to materialize.