Home Staging for the Spring/Summer Real Estate Market

When people purchase a home they buy a vision of their future. And most people's vision of summer is a happy one.  

Now that spring is here and summer is soon to follow, it's the time to double-check your homestaging. 

 

Does it capitalize on the happy vibes of the season?

Here is a series of photos that we think captures the spirit of spring and summer, one of the busiest home-buying times of the year.

  We hope you'll take inspiration and ideas from these images, and make the most of the warmer weather inspiration to stage your home so you'll land a purchase offer you love!

'Summertime' staging can incorporate a little whimsy without looking goofy. Try some humorous or nostalgic touches in small spaces or outdoors. How about some silly sayings on your guest bath towels? Or vintage beach scenes framed in the hallway?A bench at the front porch with colourful pillows is always welcoming.  Embrace the beauty of the season and add some of those touches inside and out to create an inviting 'dream' home for potential buyers.  But don't get cluttered and carried away.....

 

What do you think of when the nice weather arrives.....gardening, pool parties, entertaining, BBQ season...if your home features a large patio space highlight it with furniture and potted plants - set up the BBQ, too - set the scene.  Have a pool ? Open it and set it up - it looks so much better and again it sets the tone and gets buyers mentally moving in....




For photos and open houses (private showings, too) set up your patio like you have company coming over (because, well, you do!) This shows off the fun and the function of your outdoor space - do the visualizing for the buyer.    Same goes for setting up your 3 season porch or wrap around porch - highlight that feature with furniture and accessories!




 Even small touches like  summer wreath of fabric, floral wreath, shells, or bright summer flowers on the front door welcomes people touring your home. Pots of blooming plants near your entrance are a must if you're working on boosting your curb appeal. You can take potted plants with you when you move, so splurge on pretty containers and interesting plants. 

 

 

 

 

Even though it is the spring - summer market you can still draw attention to features and focal points like the fireplace - the yellow flowers attract the eye, the mirror makes the area bright, the light tones keep everything feeling fresh and big

What a peaceful bedroom!  In soft tones and gender neutral!  Some pattern to keep it visually interesting but not overwhelming.  The paint is also neutral but warm - the chair and over sized side table show off the function and size of the room.  The bed linens are clean and crisp

 

 Small summer touches like flowers in any room - even the kitchen can add a splash of fun and summer whimsy!

 

 

Pull back those drapes and let the light in!  Open the windows and let in some fresh air, too!

 

'Coastal colours' are perfect for staging - they are light, airy and bright.  These tones help create a soothing and relaxing space.  If a buyer has a feeling of calm and serenity they will certainly want to stay longer and tour the home.

 

 

 

 

Potted plant and flowers look great!  Think about size and scale to make sure your patio or porch don't look small and you can clutter outdoor spaces with too many potted plants so keep it minimal and size appropriate.  This arrangement is great because it really compliments the exterior tones of the home - the multi tonal brick with a red base and the black door look great with the deep purples and reds and the fresh green is a bright accent - this arrangement would also transition well into the fall season.

 We hope you'll find small and not-so-small ways to showcase the joys of summer for househunters. No matter where you live or what size, style or age your home is, there's always opportunities to "summarize" it. Doing so will help buyers imagine their summer cookouts, staycations, and celebrations at your house once they've bought it!

We Answer Wednesday - 'Staging' a vacation rental

"My husband and I have a vacation property - we love being there but we aren't up there all of the time since we both still work full time.  We will be renting it out to vacationers but there is a lot of competition in our area - how can we set ourselves apart?"

Great question!  Vacations are what we all dream of ...so your property needs to be that dream.  Regardless of the location of your rental (mountain getaway or beach escape) your rental needs to look it's best!  If you are hoping to rent it for top dollar to make some extra income you will want to spend some money and effort up front to make it that dream vacation spot.   So 'staging' your vacation property for photos and for when your guests arrive is a great way to set yourself apart for the competition - the up front costs will be worth it in the end - you will be able to rent easily, you will get top dollar and you will get repeat renters. Want to be that hot rental spot that people pay top dollar for and book in advance? Follow our tips:



Start by keeping it simple - keep the colours fresh, patterns to a minimum and opt for decor that makes sense for the space.  Stay with simple palettes and some pattern, stay away from wall paper and fussy details

 

A mountain home with some deer head silhouettes and 'log' inspired pieces makes sense plus natural materials like stone, wool, fur and wood - people will be paying for the mountain ambiance.  Warm colour and lots of layered textures give that luxurious and cozy cabin feel. 

 

For a beach house think coastal colours, soft light and airy. Light colours and organic elements really set the tone for the 'beach house' look and feel that vacationers will be looking for.  Drift wood, cotton, canvas and sea shells work beautifully

 


Art pieces and accessories can really add to the cozy factor but don't over do it - don't get too many as it will appear cluttered and don't purchase anything too expensive. Stay away from heavy and/or fussy drapery - especially if you have a view


Add some cute details that vacationers will remember - if they feel like they are welcomed, they really connect with the property and will want to return year after year

 

For bedding and bathrooms, keep it clean like you would see at a chic hotel.  You can't go wrong with white


 

And pay for professional photos.....the lighting and the quality are so much better.   Photos are key here, so some staging techniques will really help. Most (if not all) of your inquiries will come from the Internet so your presence needs to be there and you really, really, really need to have spot-on photos. We know from looking at vacation rentals online how important photos are. Because of the distance your 'renters' will only see your property online, you don't have the luxury of 'maybe it looks better in person'.  

 



Other great ideas:

 - Be helpful - keep a binder with area hot spot - restaurants, movie theaters, shops, maps and more.  Great local hot spots and fun areas for couples and/or couples to check out. Also think about laundry facilities - this is a big help to families especially.  Also leave numbers in case of emergencies

- Amenities and comforts of home, maybe when you are on vacation you want to be 'unplugged' but for some they may need to work a bit so having TVs, WiFi and more are also attractive.Maybe decks of cards and some basic board games, too

- Equipment - stock the kitchen with crockery, cutlery, cooking tools and more are helpful.  Near the beach - maybe have some sand toys for kids.  First aid kits are also a good idea

- Research, find out from a local vacation property manager what vacationers are requesting - hot tub? canoe? kayak? and try to offer those most requested items.  Also get in touch with a rental equipment company since some guests may require special items like cribs or wheel chairs

- Maintenance: make sure the property is clean inside and out!  Grass cut and gardens maintained

- Decor: it doesn't need to be full of expensive pieces but find items that set the scene and the tone.  Choose soft and light colours if by the beach, think nautical tones if lake side and richer and warmer tones for a mountain home.  If you furniture is dated - cover it with slip covers (also easy to clean), old dining table - try paint or adding new chairs.  



Some of my most memorable family vacations were when we could just relax and feel like we were at home.  By creating the vacation property that vacationers dream of you will always have renters, you will be able to charge top dollar and you will be in high demand. 

We Answer Wednesday - Bedroom decor: mixing and matching items

“I just moved into a new home and will need to purchase new furniture. I wonder about piecing different things together and worry it will look too ‘eclectic’. Whats the trick to making all my selections work together?” – Cathleen in Calgary

We know how easy it is to go to IKEA and buy the entire room in one trip and just like that – a decorated bedroom! Now, of course there’s nothing wrong with that… but with a tiny bit more time spent, you can personalize your bedroom and make it unique and stylish with just a few extra steps. Don’t worry about ‘eclectic’, there are many tricks to adding pieces harmoniously in your space! Mixing and matching the right pieces and décor items will make your home feel luxurious and professionally decorated. We know that having an interior decorator isn’t a reality for everyone so here are some tips to get that designer bedroom look easy!

Furniture
Try not to get the bed, night stand and dresser all in the same colour and material.
As easy as it may be, try to refrain! You’ll thank us in the end. For a simple solution, try mixing light and dark pieces. Its an easy way to get that designer look. Having a white dresser mixed with a glass end table and a dark headboard would give the room interest. Or choose whatever combination speaks to you.  The mixture light and dark pieces gives the room the balance it needs. Having all dark wood pieces makes a space feel dark and masculine, and often having all light pieces doesn’t add the personality a space needs. Incorporating a variety of textures and tones makes a space feel personalized. 

 

Colours and Patterns
Choose a common theme, even if its subtle.
You don’t have to have everything in your room in the exact same shade of red, but having some commonality will pull the space together.
Perhaps adding red lamps to your night stands and then a patterned pillow with some red in it as well. This is visually pleasing and without being too matchy-matchy. We’re all about mixing colours and patterns. Some people are intimidated by the idea of this but we say bring it on! Of course, we recommend colours that are complementary to one another, nothing too crazy! There are many colour combinations that suit one another.. If you are stuck on what goes 
with what, we recommend checking out our blog on choosing ‘combinations for colourful spaces’ …

http://www.kikiinteriors.blogspot.ca/2015/01/combinations-for-colourful-spaces.html

Bring in beautiful!
Create a focal point for your space.
Decorate with things that are beautiful and make you happy. Having a focal point in a bedroom is important. Whether it’s a stunning headboard, or a beautiful art piece or bold bedding, decide what you want the show stopper to be and build around that. This is often a great starting point for your bedroom. Having that first piece that you love is a fantastic way to pull your room together.

 

Add Accessories
But not too many! We don’t want to encourage clutter.
Having lamps is a must have, provided you have the space.. Either floor or table lamps add a layer of lighting, as well as being pretty!
Incorporating fun touches add personality. The options are endless, and accessories are a great place to add colour. Choosing fun throw pillows in various colours, patterns and textures make a space unique.
Mirrors are another great accessory that really add another dimension to your room. There are so many great shapes, styles and colours available for a variety of price points… you’re practically obligated to choose a fabulous mirror for your room! Area rugs are great in bedrooms as well, everyone loves cozy toes in the morning, and depending on the size of your room, the type of rug could be anything! We love the look of small shag rugs these days – they’re a super hot trend!

 

House Rules: How to Hang Art Work

Sure anyone can bang a nail into a wall and hang their art but to get the perfect look in your space, these are the tips and numbers you want to remember next time you are hanging your art


What’s the best height to hang artwork?

• Art should be hung at eye-level with the center of the picture positioned between 56 – 60″ from the floor.
• When hanging one picture directly above another, treat the two art pieces as one large picture with the center point between them being 56 – 60″ from the floor.

How many inches apart should I place pictures in a gallery wall?

  When hanging multiple pieces of art in a grouping, use a spacing of 1 – 3″ between pictures. Smaller pieces of art can be hung a little closer together (1 –  1½”) than larger pieces.





 How high should I place pictures and other art when hanging it above furniture?

 When hanging artwork above a piece of furniture, leave 5 – 9″ of space between the top of the furniture piece and the bottom of the frame. This rule of thumb can be used for hanging art over a console or chest of drawers as well as a sofa or headboard.





 How high should I hang other wall decor?

 Whether it’s a decorative plate wall or a wall display of a favorite collection, a good rule of thumb is to treat the grouping of wall decor as one item and center it at 56 – 60″ off the floor.





 Of course, the most important rule of all is to not be afraid to break the rules! These rule of thumb measurements are great to use as starting points and will help you develop your own eye for hanging artwork at a height that’s perfect in your space. But if something looks and feels right to you but doesn’t fit with these rules, by all means go with your gut and try it out!

Home For Sale? Open House Tips

If your home is up for sale on the market - this is a busy and possibly stressful time for you.
On top of your everyday responsibilities you also have to deal with the showings and open houses at your home. You have your next property in mind and you have prepped and staged this house for sale.  Getting ready for every showing is work!

You want to sell your house and you know in order to do that buyers need to see it but prepping for a viewing can be very stressful and a bit hectic - so much to do!  You want your home to look it's best -  Here is what you don't want to happen. A showing is suddenly scheduled for that evening and you realize you have zero clean towels in your house. So now, not only do you have to pick up, wipe down surfaces, etc -- you also have a load of laundry to do as well.



 

Have an open house box!

Sounds easy, right? It is!

Here's what you need:

- a box, like a Banker's box is a perfect size and it has a lid
- a set of clean, fresh white towels (one set for each bathroom)
- small (cutlery size) baskets (one for each bathroom)
- clean tea towels
- a mason jar for counter clutter like coins, small pieces of paper, elastics etc...
- a large envelope to store papers from the counter like school news letters, mail etc...
- Clorox wipes or Lysol wipes for quick counter top cleaning


Before you begin showing your home, take an empty box and fill it with clean bath, hand and dish towels. When you have a showing scheduled, walk around to each bathroom and the kitchen grabbing all the dirty linens, and putting out the clean linens - get the kids involved and have them grab the 'dirty' towels. Just throw the dirty towels in this box to pull back out after the showing is over. So the clean towels in the Open House Box never actually get used, only shown.

Store the box in a closet that isn't a huge feature like a guest room closet - once the show is over.  Collect all of the 'showing props' like the clean towels, tea towels etc... and put it all back in the box.

So easy!

Here are some other easy tips for managing your personal items when living in the house that you are selling

1 - Containers.  Small and big are needed to just keep things tidy.  This is especially useful in the bathroom for make -up, tooth brushes, personal care items and toilet paper.  If leaving your items out, having them in containers looks much better but if you want to tuck them away, having them in containers makes it easy!











2 - Keep the office tidy with boxes for loose papers and other documents you don't want left out in the open. Keep pens and pencils in a holder too - a messy office can send the message that there isn't room for everything and leave a bad impression

 


3 - Keep the lights on!  Even on a sunny day but especially for evening showings - the light will make everything look bigger and brighter



4 - Big baskets are your best solution for showing a family home.  Just toss all of the toys in some baskets,try not to have too many just a few that are big enough to fit the kids' things.





5 -  Please take the pets out!  Not everyone loves your pets and even if they are friendly, the presence of pets can be distracting and uncomfortable.  So make arrangements for your pets - maybe during the day a neighbour could help out by taking them or maybe you can take them with you while the open house is happening.

What to do with that awkward space above the kitchen cabinets.....

In some kitchens you will notice that there is an awkward open space between the ceiling and the top of the kitchen cabinets. Other than building in a bulkhead to meet the top of the cabinets - what can you do?

Depending on your style or your situation this can be usable space.  It can be used for storage or decor, ideally both. 

If you are selling, we strongly suggest not displaying it as cluttered storage packed with various things like large Tupperware, platters and small appliances -as that sends out a message to buyers - this kitchen doesn't have enough storage (which is a negative)!!

If you are selling and staging, try painting that open space.  We recommend the same tone as the cabinets (or at least something light that works with the palette or the same wall colour as you have in the kitchen already)  That will keep an open feel in the kitchen- a bright or dark paint tone will draw attention to the awkward space and give an odd striped effect

Ideas if you are staging:



This kitchen shows a lighter tone that works with the colour palette


 This image shows a kitchen where the gap is painted in the same tone as the cabinets you can see how the awkward gap just disappears.

 

 Clean and uniform storage....wicker baskets are a great way to add some natural material to your space - this looks great in a rustic or country style kitchen plus these baskets hide items that maybe are not suitable for display like cooking magazines. This would work for staging as it is clean looking and practical not cluttered and junky.

Decor for your everyday living there are some easy and interesting display ideas....

Try adding some cute and fun messages like Eat, Laugh, Family.....



Layer some decorative pieces but keep to a tight colour palette  - seen here there is a mix or shiny metallic and white - that gives a streamlined look





 What about wall paper? This works is you have some wall space covered in the same wall paper...



 Take advantage of high ceilings by using the space to display bold pieces of art



Love that cafe look and feel? Bring it home with chalkboard paint and some fun messages, inspiring quotes, recipes and more....





 Are you a collector or cookbooks? This could work for some great book storage but make sure to style the space so it doesn't look cluttered



Get a little retro with some wire baskets that can hold practical items that will also add some pops of colour





 Be unique - display a cool collection that symbolizes your passions - love to travel? Try this interesting yet simple display....




 But no matter what you have up there be sure to dust it regularly as it can collect a lot of dust over time.

We Answer Wednesday - Missing Mudroom

I am a busy mom with 3 busy kids.  I love my home but it is missing a mudroom - it is a space I desperately need but moving is not an option, neither is a costly renovation.  I really need a space for their school stuff, sport equipment and items for other activities and even a spot for the dogs leash. Any suggestions on what I can do? Please help me!!

No need to stress - life with kids is very busy and do they ever come with a lot of stuff!

But you definitely have options.  It just depends on the layout of your home.

If you have a garage entry door into the home you could try using some of your garage space for a 'mud room'  without renovating.

Try this....




Right in the garage add some hooks, shelf and baskets for kids coats, mitts, hats etc....Add an affordable shoe rack for shoes (outdoor and indoor) and in the spring months add an umbrella holder.  To keep organized add a bulletin board for notices, calendars etc....Plus add a few art pieces to keep it decorative and looking like a part of the home.  Need even more storage? Try adding a slim bench like the Kallax from IKEA and add baskets to various items plus you can sit on it to put on shoes and boots and the surface space can be used to 'hold' other items like back backs and other items you need to grab and go





Additional shelving, hooks and a bench for seating makes for a simple and functional 'mudroom' in the garage and don't forget boot trays and a hook for the dog!


This is very easy and affordable - you could do this in a weekend! And if you are ever selling your home this is a great way to show life without a mudroom



Another option.....



So this is an example of what you could do in the entry. Hooks for bags and coats, calendars, a clock and some shelving.  These plastic shoe mats with a slight lip are great for catching (and keeping slush and dirt).  A small chair or a slim bench could also be added to this arrangement to offer up some seating.

Another option, if you have a small entry ...try the hallway





These simple frames bulletin boards for each child is a way to keep papers and schedules organized plus a hook for the back packs. we would suggest additional hooks for coats.  This could be set up in a hallway near the bedrooms or a high traffic area like the kitchen

Just remember to think bout what you need and incorporate that into your 'mudroom' set up and it will be useful and because these solutions are easy and affordable, you can make adjustments as your needs change.