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Lessons learned as a home stager
Lessons learned as a home stager
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I am still a student. A student to the real estate industry, a student to business ownership, and a student to the vastness of my opportunities; so it’s a good thing that I love to learn. After deciding that staging was the course I wanted to take, I jumped in and have been learning all kinds of amazing things ever since!
Here are my top 4.
I don’t need a warehouse full of furniture to make a big difference.
I don’t need a warehouse full of furniture to make a big difference.
I really wasn’t sure about this at first. Could I really make a home more beautiful without bringing in furniture and accessories? But I learned quickly that staging is more about placement and quantity than furniture style and age. There’s no reason to shell out a ton of money when you already have a house full of furniture! Staging can be affordable and still very effective.
Don’t be the cheapest.
Don’t be the cheapest.
I learned early on that being the cheapest doesn’t help anyone. It devalues the whole staging industry, including those of us who are certified pros. I paid good money for my education and should be compensated for it. My rates reflect my years of education, experience, and talent, not just the 90-120 minutes I spend in a home. Yes, there are cheaper stagers, but what is the quality you get for the lower price?
Accept that homeowners won’t complete all of my recommendations.
Accept that homeowners won’t complete all of my recommendations.
I remember my first consultation and my excitement waiting for the photos. Would the homeowner do the things I told them to? Would the home look better because of my recommendations? When I saw the photos, I was so excited that they had done just about everything I suggested! The home looked beautiful! Fast forward to many more consultations, that is not always the case. Sometimes the homeowners only do a few of my recommendations. Oh well, I can’t force them to do anything, but I can explain why I suggest the things I suggest and educate them on the process. Some changes are much more important than others and I stress that those are the things that should definitely get done. I meet them where they are and know that it will look better than when I got there.
I can help families nationwide!
I can help families nationwide!
This is definitely not something I saw when I started my business, I thought I would just be local to the Parker, CO area. Thanks to video chat, you don’t have to be in my area to take advantage of my services. I can partner with agents and homeowners across the country. This has been such a fun element to explore and grow! I love getting photos from homeowners and having time to contemplate possible changes.
Occupied staging is here to stay! Every home can benefit from a staging consultation. There’s no price range where it doesn’t work and no price range that doesn’t want more money! There’s a big misconception that staging is expensive and only useful for luxury homes, and that is just not the case. I love creating beautiful spaces and I love the challenge of using the furniture and accessories the homeowners already have.
Want to learn more? Follow me on facebook and instagram @slbdesignco for tips, info, and inspiration.
Refreshing bathroom redesign!
Refreshing bathroom redesign!
Tackling a weekend project is usually a lot of work, but the payoff is amazing! This refresh started back in March when I tackled the mold on the ceiling. For many years, this bathroom has been used without a working fan for the daily showers of tween, teens, and early twenty-somethings. I cleaned the mold a year or two ago, but we never painted and never fixed the fan. So this time, we wanted to do it right! I don't really want to scrub mold again!
Day 1 - I knew we needed a good primer, so with the help of the awesome Lowe's paint lady, I chose Kilz Premium because of the mildew resistance and stain coverage. I tackled the ceiling and a bit of the walls around the shower. Ceilings are hard to paint y'all! That was enough for day 1. Plus, the primer needed to dry before we could paint. Oh, and hubby fixed the fan!
Day 2 - Since I primed the ceiling, I recruited hubby to paint it while I taped off the rest of the space. I like taping...it's kind of therapeutic! I had originally planned on using SW Sea Salt on the walls, but after seeing the giant sample for a couple of days, I thought we might need something a little darker. Silvermist jumped out at me when we went to buy the paint, so I went for it!
Day 3 - Time to cover the beadboard!! We redesigned this bathroom 15 years or so ago. It originally had forest green carpet, a weird step around the tub, and 4" square bath tiles all around the toilet. When we ripped the tiles off the wall, there was a lot of damage to the drywall, so our solution was to cover it with beadboard! And it worked great, and looked good for many years, but it has water spots and is definitely ready for a fresh coat of white paint. I chose SW Alabaster to go with the Silvermist, and I gotta say, I love it! It took 2 coats and a lot of time on those edges, but it was worth it!
Day 4 - Finishing touches! I fell in love with this shelf and knew I had to have it!! It was a great find on Amazon! (You can shop for it and all my other home staging favorites at the affiliate link below.) I shopped my boxes of staging accessories for fun stuff to add to the shelves. I finished with a trip to Home Goods for a plant and the word art. I love how it turned out!!
Add Style to Your Front Porch!
Add Style to Your Front Porch!
Does your front porch need a refreshing redesign? Or are you staging to welcome in buyers? Either way, if your space looks great, you'll enjoy your time there even more. I'm a simple girl and love a simple look, enough stuff to be warm and inviting, but not cluttered.
The front door is usually your focal point, so it's the best place to start. A new paint job does wonders! Also make sure your light fixture and doorbell look great. A fresh wreath or door mat will complete the look.
A place to sit is a must! It invites you to hang out and enjoy the space. Arrange furniture to encourage conversation and have a table so you can set down your drink!
If you need privacy, a lattice with plants growing is a great solution! You get greenery and you don't have to see the neighbors! A simple curtain works amazing too.
Front porches just scream for plants! Set a nice big pot by the front door and a few more in a corner, if you have the space. Hanging baskets are great too! Vary your plants and the containers to create some visual interest.
Bring it all together with some colorful accessories. Lanterns or lights are a great way to welcome guests. Add an outdoor rug to ground everything and make it feel nice and cozy. Add some accent pillows for softness and color. And finally, grab something fun to hang on the wall. It could be a metal piece, an initial, or just a fun find.
Whatever you do, make it a space where you love to be, and the warmth will translate to your guests.
Want more personalized information? Schedule a free discovery call today!
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Create Your Dream Office!
Create Your Dream Office!
So many of us are working from home these days! Your home office should be a place where you enjoy spending time. Set aside a few hours to create a space that gets you excited to get some work done!
1. Declutter - Follow my "3 Steps to Less is More" flyer. Download here.
2. Set it up! - Keep the things you use most often close by. Things used less can be put further away.
3. File - Create folders to separate items and label to make it easy to decide where to place things. Don't let things pile up, file every week.
4. Organize your desk - Only keep things on your desk that you use daily. Create a landing pad to put things you might need in a day or two, but go through it weekly. No sticky notes! They look messy and create anxiety when they pile up. A to-do list is better and more organized.
5. Label everything - Like with your files, labels make it super easy to find things and put them away. Label shelves with what belongs there. Label notebooks with what's inside, etc. This one from Amazon is a favorite! (this is an affiliate link. I may make a small amount when you purchase this item.)
6. Surround yourself with a few things you love! Find some inspirational art or decor items and finish it off with. a plant. Even though it's an office, it should be a reflection of you and surround you with things that you love!
A lot of these things can be done on your own, however if you prefer to have a professional come in with a designer's eye, give me a call! I'd love to help you make your space beautiful!
We did a consultation on this home and the homeowner followed our suggestions beautifully! They were rewarded with a quick sale and a higher sale price!
Do you stage your occupied listings?
Do you stage your occupied listings?
No matter the price point, all homes can benefit from a staging consultation. When homeowners know what to do and why they should, they’re more likely to do it. A stager can explain these things during the consultation, as well as creating good flow with the furnishings and creating emotional connection points that make buyers see themselves living there.
My top 5 reasons to stage:
Staging makes it easier for you to market and sell because your photos will be 100% more enticing.
You’ll attract more leads with better photos.
Stagers can address problems head on and tell clients things you may not want to say.
Staging is a service you can include for clients as a faster way to sell their home for more money.
Staging is much cheaper than the first price reduction.
I’d love to get to know you and see if I can help you grow your business! Call or text me to schedule a coffee meeting!
If you'd like to receive my FREE Staging & Selling for Top Dollar Guide, click here to sign up for my newsletter.
Top 9 Home Staging Tips
Top 9 Home Staging Tips
1. Keep it light and bright - Lights on and blinds open!
2. Create good flow - Have space to move around furniture and create smaller spaces within open concept rooms.
3. Add flowers and plants - Fresh flowers add beauty and brightness.
4. Create curb appeal - First impressions are crucial. Clean & freshen up outside.
5. Go Neutral - Neutral colors appeal to the majority of buyers.
6. Little Fixes - Take care of all the little things you've been ignoring for years. Buyers don't want a to-do list!
7. Clean, Clean, Clean - A nice clean home suggests to buyers that it's been well taken care of.
8. Declutter - The home will feel larger. This allows the buyer to see the space and imagine themselves living in it.
9. Depersonalize - Start packing and emotionally move out. Buyers can't feel at home when surrounded by your personal stuff.
A lot of these things can be done on your own, however if you prefer to have a professional come in with a designer's eye, give me a call! I specialize in effective and affordable occupied consultations, using furniture and accessories that you already have. Check out what's included on the Simple Staging page.
Spring Declutter - The first steps to creating a space you’ll love.
Spring Declutter - The first steps to creating a space you’ll love.
My number one tip for both staging and redesign is to clear the clutter. We can’t make it pretty until you get rid of the extra stuff! Easier said than done, I know! Here are 3 steps to get you started.
Find inspiration - Check pinterest, houzz, or hgtv for rooms and closets that reflect what you’re shooting for. It's much easier to get rid of stuff when you have a vision.
Pick a day (or 7) and put it on the schedule. When you know it’s coming you can get your head ready for it, and you even get excited to see the results!
Crank up some fun music and jump in! Have a trash pile, a donate pile, and a keep pile and just start sorting.
I know getting rid of stuff is hard, but we truly only need the stuff we use day to day. Closets are a great place to start because that’s where we put things when we’re not using them. After closets, go room by room, looking at art, accessories, everything. I’m totally guilty of hanging onto stuff because my kids might want it someday. Spoiler alert...they usually don’t! Ask them, if you feel the need, and if you haven’t used it in a year, you don’t need it.
If you’re still struggling with letting stuff go, ask yourself a couple of questions. 1. If I were moving, would I pack it and take it with me? 2. Would I be sad if the item was lost or stolen? If you answer yes to those questions, consider these. If I kept it in a more convenient place, would I use it more? And if I’m saving it for “someday” is there something else I could use instead? And my favorite question, would someone else get more use out of it than I am? This one really makes it easier for me to give things away. When I envision it getting used and loved instead of sitting in my dark closet, it’s a simple choice to put it in the “donate” box.
To help you get started, download my Closet Organization Checklist. Whether you are preparing to move or just wanting to love the space you're in, it's filled with great tips to organize your closets.
From there, you'll be ready to get rolling!
So you're a home stager...what does that mean?
So you're a home stager...what does that mean?
And what is redesign? I get these questions a lot, so I thought I'd lay it out there. Most people have an idea of what home staging is, but still aren't really sure what I do. The easy answer is that I go into homes in Parker, CO and surrounding areas and use what people have to make the space more beautiful. I specialize in occupied homes, where the owner is living in the space while it's for sale, so I offer some great tips on how to make that process easier.
What is occupied home staging?
What is occupied home staging?
Occupied home staging is preparing a home to sell. It's more marketing than design. We use what the homeowner already has to create a space that appeals to buyers, similar to a display in a storefront. We also help homeowners disconnect so they can see the home as a buyer would. We reduce clutter and knick-knacks, make rooms flow well, remove excess furniture, and create emotional connection points so buyers feel at home. Staged homes sell more quickly and for more money than their unstaged neighbors. I love the process of using what's there to create flow, balance, and beauty!
What is redesign?
What is redesign?
Redesign is creating a home that the owners love. We use what the homeowner already has in a refreshing new way to make a room more useful, warm, and inviting. We reduce clutter and knick-knacks, make rooms flow well, and remove some furniture. We add emotional connections and minimal purchases to finish the look. We create a space the homeowner loves to spend time in.
The process for both looks very much the same. They're really two sides of the same coin. The difference comes in who we are designing for, a buyer or a homeowner. We stage to sell and redesign to dwell.
We provide professional home staging services to Parker, CO and surrounding areas. I am proud to be an HSR Certified professional home stager! I have successfully completed the most extensive, RESA Accredited, home staging certification course in the world.
Professional Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
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