STAG I N G G U I D E 1-H our C om p l i m e n t a r y Consult
KEY TIPS
Tiny D e tails, Big Payoffs Turning a home into a haven is not just about arranging furniture. It’s about creating a space that induces a sense of calm and well-being. Getting potential buyers to fall in love with your home doesn’t need to be complicated. Our expert services take your current furnishings and transform each room so buyers can imagine their future there. Staging investments are real returns that you’ll see on the offer price of your home. Your job is to relax and enjoy the process. We’ve got this.
75 % SELL PROPERTIES FASTER Homes that are staged sell 75% faster than those that are not.
90% INCREASE BUYER INTEREST 90% of buyers start looking online, where you only have a few moments to catch a buyer’s interest.
83% HIGHER SALE PRICE 83% of staged properties sell for the asking price or above.
STAGE IT TO SUIT Select from our range of style options to stage your listing to suit the home.
STAGING OBJECTIVES
CLEARING THE CLUTTER o Keep grass mowed and edges trimmed regularly (weekly). o Pick up garden equipment, kids toys and empty pots. o Hide trash cans out of view. o Trim bushes and trees to let light in the house. o Power wash outside areas, including house, walkways, driveway, and deck. o Remove window screens, and have windows professionally cleaned. o Neatly store children’s toys in bins in the garage or side of house. EASY TRANSFORMATION
CURB APPEAL/ENTRY The curb appeal is the buyer’s “first view” of the outside of the house, while the entry is the buyer’s first impression of the inside of the house. Both are important and worth investing your time and money.
o Replace burned-out bulbs. We recommend consistent lighting using soft warm lighting not more than 2700K. o Update dated lamp shades. o Create a warm entry by simply adding a side table, mirror to scale, plant or orchid. o Fresh flowers or a plant give a touch of color and help brighten rooms.
Additional Notes
o Buyers have a hard time seeing past your things. Neutralize and declutter your home as much as possible. o To refresh and neutralize a home, try our favorite white paint color, SW 7551— Greek Villa. o Remember, less is more!
STAGING OBJECTIVES
LIVING ROOM o Neutralize this space as much as possible. No personal photos or mementos. o Purchase a beautiful throw and matching pillows to distract from older couches. o Remember, every room should have ONE purpose. The living room needs to be a living room. Not an office, exercise room or play room. o Living room furniture should be arranged in a conversation-friendly configuration – sofa on longest wall away from entrance OR facing fireplace flanked by two chairs in, a U pattern. o Area rugs help to define the space of a seating area and are recommended for non-carpeted floors (at least 5’x8’).
L I V I N G + FA M I LY R O O M People view the living room as an area of entertainment, relaxation and sophistication. We will use what you have to create an environment that buyers can aspire to live in. Neutral artwork, plants and small, yet functional furniture, is essential in this room.
o Remove outdated window coverings and let the natural light in. o Eliminate as much clutter as possible and group “collections” together: Best if combining 3 varying height pieces. FAMILY ROOM o TV time is important in this room, buyers should be able to imagine where they will put their TV in terms of seating.
Additional Notes
o Remove out-of-season decor. o Add a few on-trend pillows to freshen space. o No kid’s toys. Have one large bin that the child may take out of the closet for daily use.
STAGING OBJECTIVES
DINING ROOM o The goal of the dining space is to create a classic, formal entertaining area where buyers can imagine themselves having Thanksgiving dinner or formal entertaining. o Remove or repurpose extra furnishings. A table with 4-6 chairs is usually enough. You want the room to appear larger. o Be selective about china cabinet items to streamline the look. o Create a dramatic centerpiece and anchor it with a runner. o Minimize collectibles and place them into storage. o Chandeliers can immediately date a dining room. Replace out-of-date fixtures with something more current.
DINING ROOM The focal point should always be a beautiful centerpiece that should be to scale with the size of the table, and anchored in the center of the table.
o Remove dated wallpaper and window coverings. The goal of the dining room is to be fresh and elegant.
EASY TRANSFORMATION o For a low arrangement, add a beautiful wood bowl with green moss balls.
Additional Notes
o For a tall arrangement, add a vase with fresh Eucalyptus or a large dramtic bouquet of flowers.
STAGING OBJECTIVES
KITCHEN o The kitchen is usually the easiest space to have clutter. Homebuyers respond to open and clean kitchens. o Remove all appliances off of the counter. o Store sponges, soaps, and dispensers under the sink. o Completely clear off the counter. The only things on the counter should be decorative items that evoke a marketing/emotional response (plants, canisters, etc). o If cabinets are worn, consider a painting a crisp white for maximum appeal. o Organize and declutter the cabinets and pantry. o Replacing cabinet hardware is a easy way to give the cabinets an updated look.
KITCHEN The kitchen is critical to a buyer’s decision to make an offer, so everything on the counters should serve as a “marketing statement” and fuel the buyer’s imagination for entertaining and family gathering. It must appear spacious, clean, modern, light, and bright. Kitchen’s sell homes! Research shows over 30 percent of the buyer’s decision is based on this room. Additional Notes
EASY TRANSFORMATION o Add a large bowl of fresh green apples and/or pears.
STAGING OBJECTIVES
BEDROOM o Furniture and clutter should be kept to a minimum. The bed, symmetrical nightstands, a dresser, and a chair are all that are needed. o Remove photographs and personal items. o Consider a new and neutral bed set. Add pillows to your bed, as well. o Remove outdated window coverings. o It is important that the closets are cleaned out and well-organized (see attachment). CLOSET TIPS o Pack away anything you have not used or worn in four months. o Group clothes by color and type starting with shirts, blouses, jackets, skirts, and lastly pants. Separate the His and Hers sections.
BEDROOMS All bedrooms should be a sanctuary away from the chaos of home life. Relaxing colors, plush linens, and fluffy pillows all subtly display this effect. It should feel calm and comfortable. Symmetry and cool colors work well in the Main Bedroom because it invokes calm and order.
o Try wood hangers OR matching hangers, and make sure each item is facing the same direction (away from the door). o Organize shoes, preferably in a floor rack. o Organize any “loose” items, such as belts and scarves, in matching boxes or baskets on the top of the closet. o To evoke the most storage space, closets should not be more than 75% full.
Additional Notes
STAGING OBJECTIVES
BATHROOM o Think candles, plants, decorative soap, and white fluffy towels. o Remove bath mats which harvest germs and smells. o Remove all reading material. o Store all personal items. You can place them in a basket under the sink for easy access. o Make sure main bath is “white glove” clean. o Add a white orchid to bathtub area or on counter. o Update lighting and hardware.
EASY TRANSFORMATION
SMALL ROOMS Bathrooms must be spotless and clean! Consider elements that evoke a spa-like environment. It’s important to tuck away all products in organized drawers to clean and clear the workspace.
o Add new white towels, blooming flowers, an orchid or green plant, a natural sponge, and bath salts to create a gorgeous atmosphere. LAUNDRY/MUD ROOM o Clear off the tops of the washer/dryer, remove hangers, store clothing out of sight, and clear off counter tops. o Declutter Mud Room cubicles and prop them with a few items.
Additional Notes
STAGING OBJECTIVES
BACKYARD / PORCH o Remove extra toys, outdoor tools, and equipment. o Trim hedges and weed gardens. o Add mulch to beds for a clean, low maintenance appearance. o Add plants and flowers for a pop of color. o Add a colorful pot and new doormat. o Plant, plant, plant! Flowers work miracles the front yard. o Clear dead plants around the house. o Add outdoor pillows to chairs. o Add fresh mulch to beds for a clean and manicured look. o Keep grass mowed and edges trimmed regularly (weekly).
O U T D O O R S PAC E S Start your outdoor staging process the same way you started your interior—with a deep cleaning! The exterior is just as important as the interior. As homeowners, we all love to relax outside, and staging your yard and deck is essential for beautiful curb appeal.
Additional Notes
o Hide trash cans out of view. o Trim bushes and trees to let light in the house. o Power wash outside areas, including house, walkways, driveway, and deck. o Replace your porch light fixtures with updated ones or give your current ones a thorough cleaning.
STAGING INSPIRATION
RECOMMENDED VENDORS
The businesses below have proven over the years to be reliable and dedicated professionals. If at any time you receive subpar service or are dissatisfied, please let me us know.
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Disclaimer *While we recommend the service providers; Sprinkman Design Collective makes no guarantees as to their performance and is held harmless from these third-parties.
OPEN HOUSE CHECKLIST
INTERIOR O Quickly go through home and pick up any extraneous items (i.e. toys, pet items, clothes). O Turn ON every light in the home and light candles (only in safe areas when you know your realtor will be around). O Open all blinds and window coverings for maximum light (unless there are privacy or view issues). Open windows when seasonally appropriate. O All doors in house should be open as far as they can go EXCEPT closet doors (unless walk in). O Wipe bathroom and kitchen counters, sinks, and shine mirrors. O Quickly vacuum high traffic areas. O Fluff sofa and throw pillows, and strategically organize the coffee table. O Light a fire in the fireplace if appropriate. O Set out dress towels in bathroom, and put toilet seats down. O Fluff beds and pillows in all bedrooms. O Keep music on low. O Have fresh flowers on hand during selling months and place them throughout the home (particularly in bathrooms and bedrooms). O Set out “emotional connection points” in each room; i.e. set out kitchen place settings, bed tray, patio trays, etc. O Store pet dishes and litter boxes out of site. O Empty all garbage cans (especially kitchen and bathrooms).
EXTERIOR CURB APPEAL O Park cars down the street or away from the driveway and the front of the house to give buyers a clear picture of the home. O Remove any front lawn debris, toys, trashcans, pet debris, etc. O Put the garage doors down and leave the front door wide open. O Lay out “emotional connection points” we have prepared: i.e. bench with pillows or bistro table with place setting.
PREP TIPS
L e ss i s More It’s difficult for people to see your beautiful house when it has too much stuff. Whether staging your home to sell or redesigning rooms for yourself, the saying “less is more” almost always applies. Purging is not as hard as it seems. In fact, there are plenty of local groups that would love to have your stuff and sometimes even pay!
THREE-STEP PROCESS Find good homes for your excess belongings while being very green in the process:
o Grab three large plastic bins and two trash bags o Label bin one as Goodwill. o Label bin two as Resell, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Consignment. o Label bin three as Storage.
o Go through the room and ask yourself these three critical questions: o Does this item bring me joy? o Do I use this item? o Does this item fit the style or vision I am trying to create?
o Start sorting! o If the item does not meet at least TWO of those qualifications, place it in its most appropriate bin. o For items that are personal or only are seasonal, consider placing them in storage as they are not regularly used and probably won’t be needed to stage your home. o If you’re finding quite a few items in your storage bin, that’s okay. These items can be hard to let go, so you can simply store those items to unpack later.
TIPS o Facebook Marketplace, ebay.com, and local consignment stores are efficient sources to sell items. o Garage sales take time and energy but can also earn money. o St. Vincent de Paul offers free pick-up. o Goodwill has an easy unload and drop-off process.
OUR SERVICES
What We Offer Our services aim to simplify your life. From simple organization to full-service interior design, our team is here to make your project effortless.
HOME STAGING Getting potential buyers to fall in love with your home doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional. We transform rooms with simple adjustments using existing furnishings so that buyers can imagine their future in your home. Staging investments are real returns that you’ll see on the offer price of your home.
COLOR CONSULT Not only can color affect the look of your home, but how you feel when you’re in it. We’ll use our training and understanding of color psychology, trends, and color theory to develop purposeful and color choices for you and your space.
WELLNESS DESIGN The benefits of connecting with nature are endless. Our styling and design services using organic components and natural light will help you improve your health and productivity. Elevate the style of your home and enliven your workspaces by designing with living elements.
INTERIOR DESIGN We take a client-centered approach to interior design and put you in the center of the collaborative process. The process is seamless, professional, and transparent so you get the beautiful space you want. We work to create a finished result that reflects your personality and your life.
Spr ink manDe s ign.com / i nfo@spri nkm andesi gn.c om