Staging Tips 101: what are accessories for?

Does anyone else ever do an Internet search on "home staging" and include a random city's name? Just to look at the before and after photos and read the staging tips?

I certainly do.

I either critique or admire the 'after' photos, make note of new tips and resources, and search the text for new staging explanations.

Doing this, I noticed a pattern.

Website after website has an individualized version of one of the fundamentals of staging: "Living in your home when it is not for sale is very different from living in your house when it is for sale."

I think I am going to discuss this in depth over the next few blogs. But, since we are already on the subject, let's begin by discussing accessories.

When you live in your home, accessories (like photos, wall art, figurines, decorative boxes, TVs, throw pillows, books, and various collections) serve three purposes:

• They are mementos, reminders of special times and special people
• They bring your personal definition of beauty into the room
• They make your life easier

And, that is as it should be. When you live in your home, everything in it should make your life easier, calmer, more energetic, happier, and generally better. (yes, yes, I know there are obstacles like cost or other family members needs/tastes. if I ever run out of staging to sell topics, we will move on to staging to live. I promise.)

When you live in your home, your accessories are usually arranged to catch visitor's attention, to be admired (by you or your company). Again, this is as it should be. If you have it, and you love it, and other people will enjoy it; show it off!

Accessories play a completely different role when you stage your house to sell.

When you stage to sell, the number, shape/color/size, and arrangement of accessories can easily become distracting, visually cluttering, too personal, too loud an exclamation about who you are and what you find beautiful.

The goal in staging to sell is to arrange the house to maximize the number of potential buyers who find it appealing.

The purpose of accessories in a staged house is to:

• Fill spaces that would otherwise 'feel' empty.
• Guide the buyers attention to focal points - show off the best features of the room.
• Explain how odd shapes, like small alcoves, in the room can be used.
• Create an overall feeling that the room is beautiful without actually drawing a lot of attention to the accessory itself.
• Invoke a 'pop', a smile, a giggle, a tiny feeling of surprise that makes the house memorable without distracting from the room.
  

On my website, I write about the Science and Art of Staging.

The Science of Staging includes: remove photographs of people (human faces are very distracting), remove political/religious symbols and opinions, remove small objects that fit in the palm of your hand, remove trophies, remove anything irreplaceable (accidents happen), remove or greatly simplify collections........

Are you getting an idea of how living in a house that is for sale differs from living in a home? Kind of scary, isn't it?

Don't panic. It is only for a time. And, one of the reasons you are staging is because you want that time to be as short as possible. This is an adjustment you can make. In fact, many people find they enjoy living in a simplified, staged home. You may like it too.

The Art of Staging rearranges the accessories that remain after the great removal. The Art of Staging concentrates on merchandising the room. So, open spaces are gently filled. Overcrowded spaces are subtly simplified. Three objects of various sizes guide the eye up, up to the wonderful mantle over the fireplace. A lamp lights a dark corner....and looks like it really belongs there so well buyers may not even notice the lamp, they will just enjoy the light. A huge, bright red vase filled with twisted willow sticks calls attention to itself for a split second, then passes the attention to view outside the window. And on, and on, and on.

The Art of Staging is the reason I encourage sellers to work with a professional stager. This is not something you automatically get right the first time. This grows with experience and trying things and repetition.

When the staging is complete, step back and look at the results very critically. Ask yourself, ARE YOU SELLING THE ROOM OR SHOWCASING YOUR BELONGINGS?

You want to sell the ROOM and take your belongings with you to enhance your life in a new location. Tune the staging.

Oh, and one hint about the cost of accessories when you live in your home: Check out thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, estate sales, and clearance in discount outlet stores like Marshall's, Home Goods, and Tuesday Morning. Don't just go once and decide those locations have nothing for you. Visit them regularly. There is no way to know what you will find. I once bought a cup and saucer set at a flea market for $4. It was labeled "pretty set". It's book value was over $400. It still has a proud place in my collection.

Oh, oh, and another suggestion: when you are done with an item, unless it is totally trashed, donate it. You can both get help with your taxes, and share joy with another human being.

Golly, is it Thursday already? I hope you have a great day!