1. You’ve Blocked the Flow
The fundamentals of staging start with flow. If you want to really sell, make sure you open the way for buyers to fall in love with the home. That means making sure big furniture and other obstacles don’t block a prospective buyers walk through the home. Remember! For many buyers, open floor plans are a big bonus. Show off how great the flow through the home really is.
2. It’s Artfully Off-Kilter
Neutral art is a great way to give a home that “finished” feel. However, if your seller’s hanging eye is off, it can make a home feel like a complete mess. To avoid these art disasters follow these smart hanging tips:
- Don’t Suffocate the Photo—Pictures on the same wall need 2-4 inches of room in between. When hanging pictures or painting near furniture, you need to leave around six inches of space.
- 60 Up—Best practice dictates hanging art at eye level. Leave about 60 inches from the floor to the center of the piece.
- Furnish First—Before you hang, furnish the space. Remember that art should accent—not drive—the design.
3. The Wrong Rug
Rugs are another great staging tool that you can use to change a room’s perspective. When used correctly, a rug can create modular visual organization and help show the home at it’s best. But when used wrong, you’ll end up with a big mess.
4. Out of Focus Areas
Another common problem plagues too many staged rooms is the lack of a focal point—or competing focal points. The huge fireplace across from the 60” TV is a serious mistake. In each room, define a focal point and stage to it. This might make the home a little less livable, but can create a more appealing look for photos and showings.
5. Your Numbers Are Off
Repeating items is a great tactic for tying rooms together, but make sure you count odd when you do. If you’re using candles and other knick-knacks for tables and mantles, repeat them in a series of three or five for the best effect.
6. Matchy-Matching
Too much of anything is a bad idea. That goes for accent pieces, colors, and anything else you and your clients have the urge to repeat in decor. The best-designed and staged homes create a different experience in each room or space, but maintain common threads to ensure that it doesn’t look like one big hot mess. Make sure every room has time to shine by subtly varying colors, layout, and accents.
7. It Looks Like Every Other Home
The final, and one of the most fundamental staging sins, is the “run of the mill syndrome.” Remember! Staging is about standing out. If after you’ve “staged” your listing looks like every other house in the neighborhood, you’re not done yet. Start your staging process by identifying the home’s hottest features. Then, build your staging plan around those features. This will help you to make sure every visit isn’t “just another showing,” but has the wow effect that will move a home off the market.
Gagliardo Realty Associates 