We answer Wednesday - Ideas for a Large Master Bedroom

“I have a very spacious bedroom but never know what to do with the space, other than my bed, dresser and night stands. What suggestions do you have?”

Having a spacious bedroom is such a luxury, lucky you!  There are a  lot of options that come with having a large bedroom. Here are a few ideas for you:

1. A home office space, having a work space in the bedroom is not necessarily for everyone but we love a tidy work space in the bedroom, especially if you have the space! Try adding a beautiful chair and a small table to create a home office area. Of course, we always encourage a beautiful space wherever possible… so try not to have too much chunky furniture. At the end of the day, the master bedroom is still the main focal point of this space so we don't want to have the focus on the desk/chair as much. We just want the entire space to be cohesive. A glass desk is a great option because it is not intrusive and very neutral.
    
2. A seating area:  a reading area is so nice in a bedroom. Depending on just how much space you have you can have a variety of furniture pieces. Adding 2 club chairs with a side table and lamp is a beautiful option for a bedroom. Adding a chaise lounge is another beautiful furniture option. These come in a variety of luxurious fabrics and patterns, something will definitely be a complement to your space. Also depending on how much space you have you could try adding a sofa.
   
3. Custom built ins: having extra storage is always a bonus - in every home! Having some extra clothing storage done in a nice finish will enhance the style and function of the room. This is also a rest space for the TV to be built in to. 
   
4. Depending on the structure of your home and of course budget,  adding a fireplace is a beautiful feature in a spacious master bedroom. There are many styles and finishes that can be done to make this a focal point of a room!
    

Home Staging - More than just Furniture and Fluffing Pillows...

We have been staging homes for a number of years now and what we can tell you is that staging is more than just 'pretty-ing' up a place.  Making a property pretty is of course important but there are other important factors when it comes to home staging that don't involve furniture at all.

1 - Smells.  Are you nose-blind? You might be and that's not uncommon.  We all get used to our surroundings the warts and all and that includes the smells.  When someone comes to your home for the first time, like a buyer would, they see it all and smell it all.  So be sure to tackle those unpleasant odours.  Ask a friend or neighbour to do a smell check - can they smell the pets? mold? mildew? A professional cleaning can often make a big difference and it's worth it!

 

2 - Repairs.  Loose or cracked tiles, leaky faucet, loose hardware, burnt out light bulbs, noisy fan, chipped paint, the list goes on...tackle that list or get a handy man who can.  When buyers come through they will take notice and that will be come the focus.

 

3- Upgrades/Updates. Is your home in need of some updates? You may not know for sure and this is a great conversation to have with your agent.  They can tell you what has sold and for what price.  They can show you photos so you can see the condition of the sold property.  They can also show you this info for your market competition.  You may need to price accordingly or make some updates. But this can really determine your length of time on the market. Your agent can also let you know which updates are worth investing in and which to pass on.



4 - Clutter.  We all have it and we all can't stand it but it happens.  When you sell your home you need to deal with the clutter.  Sure you know the usual - kitchen counters, desk in the office but don't forget about the little clutter like bathroom counter surfaces, table tops, closets and even above those kitchen cabinets.  When you are selling your home - make a date or 2 or 3 or...to conquer the clutter - it's better for you, it's better to deal with it before you go to the new place but it's important that the buyers don't see it.  Short on time and can't deal with the clutter? It's better to have papers and other items that clutter tucked away in containers - it looks neater and tidier. Clutter sends the message that 'this home lacks storage', so don't let it pile up!

 

5- Not just inner beauty.  The interior of your home is very important but so is the exterior.  Did you know that buyers often do judge a book buy it's cover? You might be missing out on a buyer if the exterior of your property doesn't show well.  So pay attention to the exterior.  is it clean? maintained? welcoming? well lit?

 

6 - Take out your personality.  Lots of buyers love a home with character but that doesn't mean your character.  Remove the bold wall paint colours, family photos, collections and anything that is really representative of your personal tastes and styles - bring that to the new place.  Neutralize and depersonalize.  It might sound boring to you - but it is important, buyers need to visualize themselves in the space and a neutral palette or a clean canvas allows them to do that.  You want a home buyer not a house guest!

 

Be prepared for some feedback that might not be glowing - it happens to every property.  It's not personal.  Use that feedback and discuss with your agent what you can do about it.  If you are noticing a pattern in your feedback 'like the family room is dark' - lighten it up with lighting or maybe paint.  Listen to the market and work with your agent.

When it comes to selling your home remember the buyer is looking for their new home, not your old home - make it shine and stand out from the crowd!

Whats Trending in 2016 Home Decor?

Check out what's hot in home Décor!|
Kristi Blok from KIKI Interiors discusses what we're going to be seeing frequently in 2016 in todays Ottawa Citizen article.

http://ottawacitizen.com/life/homes/on-the-home-front-whats-hot-in-2016

Home Staging Obstacle: The Kids' rooms

I have 4 children and I remember (not too long ago) trying to sell my own home while we were all living there.  Although living in the home that you are selling can be a big challenge, the parents fully understand what is going on and what need to be done.  But what about the kids?

 If you are looking to buy a home or if you’re thinking of selling and you have children, one of your priorities would be how to create a good environment for your kids.
Just how the master bedroom is for us, kid’s room is where they’ll spend much of their time learning, growing, studying and relaxing.  So one thing that you shouldn’t pass on is creating a perfect space for your home buyer’s children by means of staging.
Below are simple, yet powerful tips for staging your kid’s room to make it appeal to both children and parents.

#1 Create a livable and spacious room

 Perhaps, the most challenging part of staging a kid’s room would be creating an illusion of a magazine quality space. To do this, start by removing excess clutter, toys, and furniture. Like the other rooms in your home, prospect buyers would want to see if they can fit in all the stuff their kids have. Make your kids part of the daily clean up routine, it will become habit eventually but even if it doesn't at least the room won't get too chaotic with regular tidying.

 

#2 Decorate with a theme

 Believe us when we say that parents love themed kids rooms! From athletic sports bedrooms, to color-coordinated bedrooms, parents and kids alike will be pleased. Besides, following a specific theme makes it easier for you on deciding which materials to buy because you already have a picture in mind to follow. A mish-mash of themes in one space like a kids room or any other room, makes the space look and feel a bit sloppy which is never a selling point!

#3 Make way for natural light

Like any other room in the house, your kid’s dark room might seem less attractive. A dark room can make for a sad room and you don’t want the buyers to feel that. Let natural light in with bright and cheery window treatments, and ensure there is a source for natural light. My daughter's room faces east and because of that she has 'black out curtains' but during the day the room looks very dark, so a simple solution is pulling back the curtains and wow - the light is incredible! You may also consider artificial lighting like overhead lighting, bedside table lamps, wall scones, or floor lamps for additional brightness.

 

#4 Get inspiration

 If you’re still not sure how to decorate your kid’s room, browse the Internet for some inspiration. Pinterest can help you with that. Take a look at staged kid’s room ideas and see which one appeals to you the most. You can also browse home styling magazines, blogs, and event TV shows.

 Another helpful tip is to visit model homes near your area and see how interior designers have decorated kids’ rooms. Or if you want more professional looking staged rooms, you can contact expert home stagers by visiting their website for contact information

 Staging kid’s rooms is nothing but fun! It is an enjoyable experience and it can be a great bonding experience with your little ones. Creating a perfect environment for the children of the future owner could be one of your best investments to make your home on top of their list. So, please remember to ‘color outside the lines’.

 

#5 Think easy solutions

My boys have a great looking room with a red, white and blue colour theme with some pops of Spiderman and Captain America.   They love their room but don't love keeping it clean.  Look for some easy solutions so that they can keep the space tidy for when you have showings at the house.  Baskets are my go to!  I have a series of baskets that my boys put toys, books etc...to help keep things off of the floor and because the baskets are easy (instead of say a closet or shelving system) they can do it themselves!