Home Staging Tips - Using Furniture to Stage Homes

Furniture seems to be the bane of existence for manyshould be centered under the dining room light fixture,
people trying to unload their houses. How much do Iput a great table runner on it (this can be an easy
need? Do I need it at all? If so, where do I get it? Do IPocket of Emotion, by the way, so pay attention to
have to buy it? The questions go on and on. It neveryour table runners) and then adorn it with multi-colored
fails - on each and every Wednesday morningwine glasses, interesting place settings or a unique
tele-coaching call to my VIP students, someone askscenter piece.
me about furniture.You have an excellent opportunity to fill the space, add
So today, I want to address the infatuation, or lacksomething unexpected, and not break your back or
thereof with furniture in regards to staging. I rarely useyour budget by trying to move in a huge dining room
furniture in staging, not because I don't like it, but I thinkset. Just a little tip-even a homemade table with a floor
more often than not, it is unnecessary. The reason thatlength table cloth will work and then just do the same
most staging companies use a lot of furniture isthing we mentioned above.
because they don't understand who their customer isThe last few pieces of furniture that I do like are
and the difference between selling vs. decorating. Yes,oversized bean bag chairs for kid's rooms as well as
I realize that comment may make some of you angry,basements and small tables that have a multi purpose.
but my job is to help you sell your properties andThey can be used to collect keys at a front door, for
continually learn more about the real estate industry onart or plants, or to hold a Pocket of Emotion. You can
the whole, so there you go. I can tell you that mostalso use them to suggest a desk or a table in a
stagings we do as well as nearly all of our Propertybreakfast nook, so I always keep an eye out for
Designers yield fantastic results with very little furniture.pieces like this.
Let's first discuss when you need to use furniture.Okay, so if you need furniture, where do you get it?
Generally in very large rooms or very large homes,Well, you can go to all the logical places, like your own
you will need some furniture. Or if you are trying tohome, good will, the discount stores and the rental
make an odd space work, you might also need to usestores. If you buy it, no problem, just make sure you
furniture. Finally, furniture can also give people directionsknow what to do with it when the house sells. If you
in the house. In other words, you can use furniture inrent it that is fine because usually they will absorb the
such a way that it creates flow and helps to guide theliability if it is damaged or you will at least know the
potential buyer thru the home in the way that you wishterms if it gets stolen or damaged, all of which is very
them to view it.unlikely.
In large rooms or even in large homes, sometimes youThe third option you have is to negotiate a deal with a
will need furniture since you need to fill a larger space.furniture or décor store. You will use their item
What I see people try to get away with are reallyat no charge but they get to advertise at no charge. It
small accessories in a large room making the roomis a win win situation except for pick up and
look bigger which is not a bad thing, but the downsidereturns-and damages. These things can put you in a
is that the staging items look puny-which is never good.tough spot so make sure you go into this arrangement
In an over large living space, some good and easywith your eyes wide open.
furniture items are chaise lounges placed in the middleAnd of course, many of you already know my trick to
of a room at a diagonal on a rug with the appropriatecreate instant beds with blow up mattresses, milk
décor or a couple of arm chairs with a greatcrates and plenty of comforters. You will also need a
coffee table works too. The arm chairs and coffeeroll of duct tape to shorten the length of the bed skirt,
table depend on the home, but of course, manyfrom the center. Make sure you have a full sheet set,
variations of this will work. You can do anything fromat least 3 decorative pillows and at least 4 regular
Wicker chairs and wicker trunk to leather arms chairspillows. You will also need 2 comforters or duvets and
with a tufted oversized leather ottoman.inserts to give it a rich and lush appearance.
The other clever pieces of furniture that I like to useSo, as you can see, furniture is not hard to come by,
are sofa tables. These are great tables when youbut generally speaking you don't need it or don't need
need a dining room table but don't want to bother witha great deal. There are always exceptions to the rule
an enormous dining room set. Basically, you can takeand for those, I recommend that you give us a call.
this long sofa table, place it in the center of a rug that