Pricing your home? Realtor’s job. Marketing your home? Realtor’s job. Preparing your home for selling? Your job.

In an ideal world, your home will be tickety-boo from top-to-bottom when it hits the market. Closets will be organized, corners cleaned, and garages purged of boxes and leftover furniture pieces.

However, I like to think of myself as ‘well-rooted’ in the real world (well, most days anyway), and in reality, not many people have the time, energy, or budget to create a home that is 100% ready for the real estate market.

So, this being said, I’ve created a list of the 5 KEY ROOMS, that, come hell or high water, need to be in tip-top shape when it comes time to list your home.

WHAT ARE THE 5 MOST IMPORTANT ROOMS WHEN HOME STAGING?

Before we get into the details of HOW to prep your rooms, let’s have a quick chat about the rooms themselves. These KEY ROOMS are the ‘deal breakers’ – if one (or more) of these rooms are off, then potentially, so is the deal. 

Listed in order of importance (but this can change from home to home based on the layout).

1. THE KITCHEN

The kitchen is the heart of the home, which means it’s absolutely VITAL that it’s in its best condition possible. When a buyer looks at an outdated kitchen, they’re adding up the cost in their head of how to update it – and they ALWAYS overestimate, which comes off YOUR asking price.

See the FULL REMODEL and colour list HERE

And regardless of whether your kitchen is outdated or brand new, it needs to be CLEAN and DECLUTTERED. Many buyers would rather buy a clean, and well-maintained older/outdated home, than a newer, dirty, poorly-maintained one. 

As for clutter, it doesn’t matter if YOU think your home looks boring or lacks personality without your personal stuff around – this isn’t about you; it’s about selling your home to the average buyer…

Buyers don’t want to see your stuff unless it’s purposeful and, ideally, pretty.

6 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Update Ideas

2. THE LIVING ROOM

While most people spend their time in the kitchen, it’s still the living room that they look to when they ‘envision’ relaxing or entertaining their friends…

Kylie M & V1 Real Estate Photography / Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

BTW, just so you don’t think I’m talking out of my arse, I have a husband, two kids, and a dog (I had two at one point – dogs, that is, not husbands). I know how hard it can be to maintain a tidy home. These tips and ideas come from a place of experience, stress, and many home purchases and sales (along with my daily work).

3. THE PRIMARY OR MAIN BEDROOM

While you can get away with spare bedrooms that aren’t stellar or perfectly staged (although I’d prefer you spent time on them), you CAN’T get away with a bad primary bedroom. 

Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray / Sherwin Williams High Reflective White

The key is to depersonalize the master bedroom so that ANYONE can picture themselves sleeping there quite comfortably (think ‘slightly homier hotel’). And while you can get away with personal photos and items in other parts of the home (to a very small degree), not in the primary bedroom.

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

4. THE BATHROOM

Just like the kitchen – cleanliness is King in the bathroom. It can be outdated and downright fugly, but it can’t…be…dirty.

It’s best if ALL bathrooms are in tip-top shape, but at the very least, the primary and main bathrooms that guests use should be as good as possible.

5. THE ENTRYWAY OR FOYER

Your entryway should provide clues to the buyers regarding what they can expect in the rest of the home regarding cleanliness and style. If your entryway is outdated and dirty, the buyer will expect that in the rest of the home – whether this is the case or not.  

The entryway is the first room potential buyers see when they enter your home and the last one they see when they leave.

HOW TO STAGE YOUR 5 KEY ROOMS: THE BASICS

While home staging can be overwhelming, focusing on your home’s most important rooms first can make the process more manageable and even therapeutic! And if not, there’s always wine and a Ryan Reynold’s movie marathon, which are also therapeutic…

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

1. DECLUTTER YOUR 5 KEY ROOMS

While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, remember, you don’t have to do EVERY room (although that would be fab). Focus on the 5 KEY ROOMS, starting with the most important ones in your particular layout.

Kylie M E-Design & Tim Hanson Productions

When it comes to decluttering, remember, it isn’t personal.

If you want personal, don’t move, and enjoy the home you have (wink wink).

Seriously though, the goal is to DEPERSONALIZE your home enough that someone else could picture themselves living there, and that’s hard to do with Aunty Sally’s and Uncle Herb’s portraits staring at you from the fireplace mantel.

Sherwin Williams Egret White

Decluttering your home is about showcasing the features and finishes that actually COME WITH the home when it’s sold.

This can include…

• solid surfaces like wood floors and quartz countertops
• the shape and flow of a room, which is best showcased via the right furniture layout
• a gorgeous fireplace
• details such as decorative moldings, hardware, or specialty finishes
• a gorgeous view!

When it comes to preparing your home for sale, less is often more. Let’s look at some common surfaces and what they should hold…

FIREPLACE MANTLE

The fireplace is often the focal point in the living or family room. Thoughtful, well-coordinated pieces are fine if they suit the style of the home and don’t distract from the fireplace. If they don’t work, it’s better to leave an EMPTY mantel, than a poorly decorated one. 

If your fireplace has good bones but could use a little update, check out these 5 Fireplace Update Ideas.

I would replace the personal photo with something generic, like a landscape.

Sherwin Williams Egret White

SIDE TABLES, COFFEE TABLES, CABINETS & DRESSERS

Table lamps are mandatory in a well-dressed living room, as long as they’re updated with a clean light shade. As for bedrooms, matching table lamps should be on either side of the bed. While one or two curated items can live on these surfaces, side tables should be free of ANY excess clutter, including personal items and remote controls.

The ‘less is more’ guideline also applies to longer pieces like dressers and coffee tables – nothing personal, only pretty.

If you were selling this home, you’d tuck the book of personal photos away (shown on the bottom shelf).

WINDOWSILLS

There’s rarely a reason for anything to be on a window sill in any room. Does this mean you might need to move your plant collection? Yup. Plants block what can be seen outside the window (which can be handy when you don’t like what you’re looking at). Also, plants and other items make a room look cluttered and smaller, blocking the quality of light coming into the room. 

FLOOR SPACE

Anything unnecessary should not be on the floor (i.e., fans, space heaters, recyclables, misc. unnecessary furniture pieces, boxes, etc…). This also includes extra pieces of furniture that you might use for function but that impede pathways or a room’s natural flow. 

4 Easy Steps & Ideas: How to Decorate Your Fireplace Mantel

BATHROOM COUNTERTOP

Soap and one or two decorative accessories are fine, but everything else should be put in a basket and tucked under the sink. If you don’t have space under your sink, declutter your undercabinet. Take the time to throw out anything unnecessary (like the past date sunscreen and old empty tampon boxes), and make room for that basket.

While this next bathroom might not have the latest features, the beautiful gray-green vanity complements the original travertine tile and makes the space look fresh and clean for a new buyer…

3 Ideas: Add Style To a Small Bathroom

When you have a showing, throw all of your ‘daily use’ items in the basket and throw them under the sink. When you don’t have showings, all of your stuff can happily live on the countertop.

KITCHEN COUNTERTOP

Kitchens are often the function junction in a busy household and it can be hard to stay on top of them (same with entryways). However, the SOONER you sell your home, the SOONER you can stop agonizing over a messy kitchen and just live your life.

Here’s a list of things I suggest my clients leave out (at the very MOST). But even then, if you can put it away…do it.

• blender (as long as it’s not a nasty ole thing, and ideally, it WOULD be put away)
• toaster (not toaster oven, they’re too big and fugly)
• a decorative container holding a few large utensils
• fruit bowl
• coffee maker
• teapot
• microwave
• paper towel holder
• decorative plant or something that’s purposefully added

6 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Update Ideas

Oh, by the way, bananas are the worst staging items. They only look good for a day or two and a half-brown banana doesn’t add a decorative touch to any space (perhaps a ’60s color palette). Stick to apples, oranges, limes, and lemons.

5 Ideas to Update Your 1990s Home

2. UPDATE YOUR 5 KEY ROOMS

You don’t always need to spend 1-3% of your listing price (which is a popular belief) to get your home in showing condition. However, I do believe that if you spend ‘smart money,’ you’ll reap the benefits. So don’t be cheap – buck up for these small expenditures and sell your house!

As you’ll see in this next photo, a home doesn’t need to be ‘trendy based on today’s standards’ to look great for resale…

Sure, some people will look at the above kitchen and see it as outdated as the countertops aren’t white quartz countertops and the cabinets aren’t white – you can’t make everyone happy. However, the BONES of this kitchen are solid, clean, well-maintained, and include thoughtful, smaller updates such as hardware and light fixtures that suit the style of the space.

6 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Update Ideas

LIGHTING UPDATE TIPS

Change outdated fixtures in your 5 KEY ROOMS and give buyers the impression that your home has been maintained structurally AND esthetically.

Here is a list of lights that are considered ‘outdated’…

• booby lights (yes, you know what they look like)

• semi-flush fixtures from the 70s and 80s

• lightbars with bulbs showing (bathroom, definitely 70s and 80s)

• brass or gold finishes (there’s a big difference style-wise between the gold that’s trendy today and the ‘old gold’)

• any fixture with tinted amber glass fixtures

• ceiling fans with brass, ’80s wicker, and/or exposed plain bulbs (yes, even some Edison bulb fixtures can make a home look dated to the 2010s)

Budget-Friendly Lighting Update Ideas (Graphic Content)

CABINET & DOOR HARDWARE UPDATES

If your cabinet and door hardware are currently outdated, the BEST MONEY YOU CAN SPEND is on new hardware – and it’s not that expensive (relative to many other updates). In fact, I’ve written a GREAT blog post on 6 Budget-Friendly Home Update Ideas and you’ll find some great tips and inspiration in there. 

A FEW QUICK HARDWARE TIPS

• When doing bedroom and bathroom doors (and kitchen cabinets if the hinges are exposed), don’t forget to match the hinges to the new hardware!

• If you’re transitioning between styles and don’t have the budget to replace ALL of your metal finishes, BLACK is the most unisex and flexible.

3. IF IT’S BROKEN, FIX IT IN YOUR 5 KEY ROOMS (OR EVERY ROOM, REALLY)

Whether it’s a closet door, cabinet handle, or broken blind, if it’s broken and a buyer will see it or touch it, you need to fix or replace it. If people see a few small things that are broken they can easily assume that if the little things are broken, then what about bigger things?

4. CLEAN YOUR 5 KEY ROOMS

I don’t mean sweep, vacuum, and wipe your countertops – these are things you should do every two to three days when selling your home…

I mean, you need to CLEAN, baby, CLEAN!

Back in the day, before I dove head first into Online Paint Color Consulting, I did a TON of home staging (it was totally my jam). It was amazing how many homes I went to where I said, ‘Okay, you’re going to need to do some serious cleaning,’ to which they said, ‘…but I just cleaned yesterday?‘.

Your version of ‘clean’ might not be clean enough for the average fussy buyer…clean more. 

For most of these things, you only need a clean cloth (with a nice nap to it to really pick up the dirt), soap, and water.

CLEAN YOUR TILE GROUT

If you have tiles/grout, give them a good scrub with cleaner and a brush. If they don’t come clean, consider a commercial-grade cleanser like ZEP or reseal your grout with Grout Renew.

WIPE YOUR BASEBOARDS, TRIMS, & DOORS

It’s time to wipe your trims and doors, concentrating on the areas from the floor up to about five feet, where most of the wear and tear happens. In an ideal world, you’ll get out your trim paint and give your moldings a fresh once-over (you’ll be SHOCKED at how much of a difference this makes) – but I might be pushing my luck with that.

WASH YOUR WALLS

Walls can take a beating in a home where kids and dogs live. Concentrate on the wall space from the floor, up to about five feet. In bathrooms, wipe down ALL of the walls.

WINDOW SILLS

The older your windows are, the more likely it is that there’s mold in the corners. Get Q-tips, bleach, and a cloth, and wipe up any moldy areas. Moldy windows are a great visual reminder to buyers that your home needs new windows or has circulation/moisture issues. Regular soap and water works for run-of-the-mill stuff.

THE FRONT DOOR

Your front door can get pretty grungy and isn’t always noticed in regular cleaning. Clean your door inside and out, including the transition and framework.

And don’t be afraid to slap a coat or two of paint on it. Painting the inside and outside of your front door is a GREAT way to leave a great impression on potential buyers.

The 9 Best Paint Colors for the OUTSIDE of Your Front Door

If you bust your lil butt and work your way through this list, don’t be afraid to apply these same principles to the other rooms in your home. The more you do, the better chance your home will have of selling for TOP DOLLAR! 

READ MORE

6 Budget-Friendly Home Update Ideas

Home Staging Tips & Ideas: 4 Rules to Follow

The 8 Best Benjamin Moore Paint Colours for Home Staging

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PUBLISHED IN 2016, UPDATED COMPLETELY IN 2023

The post STAGING OR SELLING YOUR HOME? THESE 5 ROOMS MATTER THE MOST appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Whether you’re new to the real estate market or an old hand, it’s vital to understand how Home Staging can affect the value of your biggest investment in the eyes of potential buyers.

As you know, your home is not worth what you think it’s worth – it’s worth what people are willing to pay for THEIR future home. If they won’t pay what you want, then it’s only worth that to you!

This means the better your home looks, the more you’ll likely get for it. However, hiring a full-service, professional staging company can cost a fortune. Hey, if you’ve got the bucks for it, let ‘er rip, tater chip. However, you can make smart updates without breaking the kid’s piggy banks.

Having staged, built, renovated, and updated over ten thousand homes locally and online, I know what matters to homeowners and potential buyers.

Let’s get this house party started!

1. HOME STAGING UPDATE: PAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR

Many buyers will find a house on MLS, write down the address, and go for a drive BEFORE they talk to their Realtor. It’s vital that they like what they see outside before they step inside your home.

Spend some time improving your curb appeal – make the first impression count…

Few people want rustic red front doors and prefer more modern colors (unless it’s THE perfect color for your home.)

Aside from tidying up the garden beds, fixing any broken elements, and repainting chipped or faded paint, a great way to add instant curb appeal is to hit that front door with a fresh coat of paint…

The Best Front Door Paint Colors (HOA-FRIENDLY!)

Paint your front door, update your exterior light fixtures, sweep off your driveway and porch, and freshen up your bark mulch or gravel – these are great ways to add value to your home’s exterior – without breaking the bank.

And don’t forget about the inside of your front door! These kinds of projects take an afternoon and cost under $100 – that’s GREAT bang for buck!

How to Add Curb Appeal for Home Staging

BY THE WAY, a huge thank you to my Online Color Consulting clients who send me their photos – my blog wouldn’t run without you. Your photos help me show readers REAL homes with REAL budgets.

2. HOME STAGING UPDATE: TRASH THE BRASS

1970, 80, and 90’s style brass is not trendy and will not add value to your home. Not only will it not add value, but it could detract from other things your home has going for it, as it DATES your home.

In this next photo, the BONES of the bathroom are generally great…

There’s nothing wrong with a clean bathroom, with travertine tile, shaker-style cabinet, and a neutral countertop. So what’s REALLY throwing it?

THE BRASS.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY UPDATE/STAGING IDEAS

• Change the hardware: $50
• Mirror: $75
• New faucets: $200
• Door handle: $40
• Towel/tp holder: $75
• Take down the towel holder over the loo and patch/paint: $25

As for the shower itself, I would take that bad boy out, fill the screw holes with caulking and put up a classy shower curtain with a hotel-style shower rod. Ideal? No, but it’s definitely better than what’s there.

The total for my pretend ‘bathroom remodel’ would be under $600 – that’s smart money.

Getting caught up in the staging process and going too far is easy. Some potential buyers or Real Estate Agents might say, ‘Rip out the travertine tile, put in a new vanity, and start fresh.’ While that’s great if you have the time and the money, staging your home is often just about getting it good enough to get your home’s ‘best value.’

‘Best value’ based on the current market, your TARGET market, and the finishes in the remainder of the home.

What does the above mean?

THE SPEED OF THE CURRENT MARKET

If the current market is moving fast, and things are selling for list price or over, you just need to tidy up the basics, ensure it’s clean, and get it SOLD.

On the other hand, if you’re in a slow market and have the time, the more updates you do, the better chance your home has of getting the attention it deserves. The key is to make these changes BEFORE you put it on the market, rather than panicking and trying to update it when your home isn’t selling. Those first eyes on your home are the most important!

TARGET MARKET

TBA, I’m currently updating this post!

REMAINING FINISHES

How much you update a room can depend on the surrounding finishes, in the room itself, and in the adjoining rooms. Putting in a beautiful new quartz countertop in your bathroom doesn’t make sense if the surrounding finishes are super outdated.

Why?

There are exceptions – you MIGHT find a countertop that suits your old finishes AND is modern-looking. However, many finishes from previous decades don’t suit more modern quartz countertops – it’s slim pickings. You could end up with a bathroom that looks poorly coordinated (as your countertop is too modern for its surroundings). OR, your new countertop, chosen to coordinate with your old finishes – still looks old.

Again, there are ALWAYS exceptions, but don’t automatically assume your home is one of them. Start with SMALL updates first and work up from there; in other words…

Don’t spend money you don’t have to.

How to Update Older Granite Countertops

While this next bathroom is just BEGGING for some cabinet door hardware (that matches the existing finishes), the overall first impression is awesome and ready for the market…

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Egret White

Did you notice that the faucets and towel holders are kinda brassy?

This is an updated take on an old finish, as the antiqued brass looks great in the right space and has way better street cred than 90s brass.

BRASS HARDWARE THAT COULD BE UPDATED FOR STAGING

While you don’t have to do everything, small updates can make a BIG DIFFERENCE. Here are the few brass offenders and the approximate cost to update them…

• Brass doorknobs: $40 (each)
• Brass hinges: $5 (per door)
• Brass cabinet hardware for a kitchen: $150 (total)
• Front door hardware: $150
• Faucet: $200

White walls, trims, and doors are still reasonably popular, but trends lean toward off-whites

Going into 2024, black, polished nickel, and chrome are all common, popular metal finishes. Oil-rubbed bronze only suits certain homes and a particular target market – it’s not seen as a ‘modern’ finish (but not every home is a typical ‘modern’ style.) You might think, ‘But I like brass; I think it looks better.’ Well, guess what? When you’re the seller, it doesn’t matter what you think; it matters what the home buyers in your target market think, and most buyers aren’t interested in brass. (I am a bossy lil’ thing sometimes).

HARDWARE TIPS

• Black hardware is highly contrasted on white cabinets and doors, so decide whether that suits your home.
• If you’re keeping some brass in your home, black and oil-rubbed bronze will best transition with a brass finish.
• Nickel doesn’t usually work well in the same room as brass, so if you are looking at nickel, you’ll want to update all of the brass items in that room (or ideally in your whole home)

The Best BUDGET-FRIENDLY Hardware to Update Wood Cabinets

3. HOME STAGING UPDATE: LIGHT IT UP!

Lighting is ESSENTIAL to a home’s success, whether you’re living in it or selling it. Clean but poorly lit rooms can look dirty, gloomy, and small. A well-lit room looks brighter, bigger, cleaner, and more appealing to potential buyers. Add in some decluttering, and you’re set!

Check this list to see if any of your rooms have an outdated and ineffective light fixture:

• Light fixtures that hold only one bulb (other than a pendant over an island)
• Booby lights (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, read here)
• Light fixtures that have brass detailing

Talk to your local lighting store, or peruse Pinterest to see which light fixtures are trendy. The bit of chandelier you see here is NOT trendy and dates a home to the 90s/2000s…

And while this chandelier is slooooowly going out of style, it’s still a great choice if you’re listing in 2024 and it suits your style of home…

While this next type of chandelier was great for selling this home in 2020 (as with any Edison-style fixture), it’s no longer trendy. If you have one, it’s not BAD; just take out the Edison bulbs and put in chandelier-style bulbs. If you’re shopping for a new light, avoid this style…

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

Notice the lack of clutter in the above photo. The furniture shows the function and flow of the space without too much fuss.

WHICH LIGHT FIXTURES SHOULD BE UPDATED FOR STAGING?

My inside voice says, ‘ALL OF THEM!’, but it’s only kidding (kind of – wink wink). The lights that matter the most are often based on your 5 KEY ROOMS, which I recommend reading after you finish this blog post.

• ENTRYWAY
• LIVING ROOM
• KITCHEN
• PRIMARY BEDROOM
• MAIN BATHROOM

This bad boy below is the best, most cost-effective light fixture to update any secondary space. (You’ll want something more interesting in the main room, like the master bedroom/living room/kitchen, etc…)

This one is great for secondary spaces such as a spare bedroom, hallway, laundry room, family room, etc. Sure, it’s no screamin’ glory style-wise, but it’s a great place to start for a BUDGET-FRIENDLY update.

If you want to take things up a notch for your important rooms, check out this blog post (once you’re done reading this one): Lighting Update Ideas: Warning – Graphic Content.

Let’s go down a little (or big) rabbit hole with this next kitchen. Along with the light fixtures, there are a few other teaching moments…

First off, this space is GORGEOUS; I’m just being fussy for the sake of teaching! Many people curse their older granite countertops and need to update their wood cabinets – this kitchen is beautiful! However, if the homeowner wanted to stage it, update it, get it ready for sale, AND…spend a BIT MORE money without going over the top, I’ve got some great ideas.

Sure, some professional stagers, Real Estate Agents, and Designers will say these cabinets must be painted and the granite should be replaced. And for some people, this is true – it’s what they want to see. However, for some homes, it’s about spending SMART MONEY, which is also the focus of this blog post.

First, let’s list a few things this kitchen has going for it…

• the cabinet hardware is updated and SIMPLE
• WOOD CABINETS that are in great shape to keep, or for a new owner to paint
• stainless steel appliances
• furnishings that add to the space
• the window sill is clear, and the countertops are decluttered
• the dining room light fixture is PERFECT!
• minimal clutter on the counters and well-placed accessories

Again, this homeowner isn’t a seller, and their home looks GREAT, but here are a few shifts for Home Staging‘s purposes…

1. INSTALL A CREAMY, OFF-WHITE, SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH

Subway tile is timeless. And while not everyone appreciates this particular granite, surround it with updated finishes, and it will take on a whole new life! For a space like this, that’s a touch more traditional, I’d stick with a 3×6 subway tile in a glossy finish.

4 Ideas to Jazz Up a Simple Subway Tile

2. CHANGE THE PENDANT LIGHTS

The chain, combined with the cage style of these pendant lights, is very graphic and cluttered. Since the countertop and backsplash already have a busy look, I’d take a more subtle approach with the lights.

I might choose something like this…

WAYFAIR Leilani 1 BULB FIXTURE

Ideally, I’d spend WAY LESS than that, but it’s the first one that grabbed my eye (and I’m not really a shopping site).

OOOO, this one is a better price, and I also like it for the style of this kitchen (it wouldn’t suit more modern kitchens)…

WAYFAIR Bales FIXTURE

If they were to update the backsplash, I’d still change the lights. As for the light above the sink, I’d simplify it or install a ceiling-mount fixture.

3. PAINT THE WALLS A LIGHTER NEUTRAL SHADE

Honestly, I’m OBSESSED with this medium-toned greige on the walls – it’s wicked pretty with the wood cabinets and trim. HOWEVER, getting a home ready for sale is about appealing to the masses…

The 6 Best Warm Off-White Paint Colors

Fewer people will like this depth in the kitchen, and MORE people will want to see something lighter and warmer, that contrasts less with the wood. If you’re like me, you’ll wince doing it, but in the end, it’s about selling your home and finding your next one!

Nothing I’ve suggested is over the top, especially if you’re asking a decent price. It can pay to spend SMART MONEY!

As usual, I got a bit off track there (SQUIRREL!); let’s finish this section with a few tips!

LIGHTING TIPS

• The metal finishes that are the most trendy for light fixtures (going into 2024) are black and polished nickel
• If your room/space is larger than 8×10, consider a fixture that takes three – 60w bulbs instead of two
• Don’t forget to consider your light bulb’s KELVINS!

4. HOME STAGING UPDATE: NEUTRAL LINENS

Bedding and linens with busy patterns can make a space look smaller and more cluttered than it is. Not only that, patterned bedding focuses on the bedding, not the room itself. It doesn’t matter how pretty your floral is or how striking your graphic stripe is, unless it’s been well-decorated (it takes a lot) – MANY rooms need solid linens to look their best!

Let’s explore a few examples and how they could be improved…

This first room is WAY over the top –  it’s downright stunning. Buyers aren’t expecting this look, or this level of updates (a HUGE bonus if your home does look like this). Buyers are looking for a clean, DEPERSONALIZED space, with a good traffic pattern from the doorway to the bed, bathroom, and closet.

In this next bedroom, the small bit you can see of this bedding says all you need to know – it’s too busy…

A simple off-white/beige duvet cover and a navy blue throw pillow (or two) would show the room much better. And sure, we could jazz up the side tables with some accessories and a new lamp, but these ideas are about keeping it SIMPLE and budget-friendly.

Now, compare it to this next room…

The only thing that needs to be fixed is the personal photo on the dresser – everything else is great – tasteful, modern throw pillows, simple linens, and minimal decor.

This next example is of a well-dressed, well-decorated room that handles patterned linens very well. This bedroom works because the patterns are passive rather than a strong focal point, and the entire palette is super muted…

FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Egret White

While the next room is well-decorated, the striped duvet cover distracts and takes away from the bones of the room – which are STUNNING…

Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray and Sherwin Williams High Reflective White

Let’s consider what would be included with this home (if it were for sale, which it’s not): the chandelier, large window, board-and-batten walls, vaulted ceiling, and wood floors. The striped duvet cover interferes with and distracts from these features. I would rather see a white, textured duvet cover, with a soft gray throw/quilt on the end of the bed. If this home were being listed, I might kill the shag rug, too…people aren’t diggin’ shag these days.)

BATHROOM TOWELS

As for bathroom towels, with FEW exceptions, bathrooms should have white towels. Don’t get creative with a navy blue accent towel or a splash of sage green – save those colors for your decor.

What are the exceptions?

Some bathrooms with warmer beige tones, suit off-white towels, rather than crisp white ones. You won’t catch many professional home stagers putting COLORED TOWELS in their clients’ homes.

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Alabaster

The towels in this next bathroom are great for the homeowner‘s style, but they should be white for resale…

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

Sure, they’re pretty, but THEY AIN’T COMIN’ WITH THE HOUSE and distract from what really matters. They also make the space look smaller and more cluttered.

The color in the artwork is the only thing that should be doing any heavy color-lifting in this space.

5. HOME STAGING UPDATE: PAINT A FEW ROOMS

Painting your entire home might be out of the question, but focusing on a few of your 5 Key Rooms is a great way to refresh your space.

• ENTRYWAY
• LIVING ROOM
• KITCHEN
• PRIMARY BEDROOM
• MAIN BATHROOM

Pick the spaces that matter the most in your home and start with these. Choose a modern shade of neutral that suits the hard finishes in your home – the ones that stay with the home when it’s sold.

Regardless of your personal preferences, bright colors don’t sell.

The early 2000s tile looks more updated with a well-chosen wall color! 

A FEW MORE HOME STAGING TIPS

• Get rid of any home odors, especially from pets or stinky teenagers/kids. This might involve getting your carpet and rugs cleaned to remove any stains.
• Don’t use smelly candles or plug-in air freshens  – they’re toxic and extremely off-putting. Do your research on a more natural approach, such as boiling particular spices on the stove, or making some COOKIES! 
• Open blinds and drapes to maximize your home’s natural light. If you have a less-than-desirable view, tilt the blinds or use sheers to camouflage it.
• Fix ANYTHING that’s broken – cracks, dents, the fewer flaws, the better.
• Don’t leave anything around your tub, kitchen, bathroom counter, or window sills – simple and clean is best, along with a few thoughtful accessories on your counters.
• Turn on table lamps in rooms that have inadequate natural lighting. Make sure they have updated shades that offer a clean, bright light.
• Put kid’s toys away in drawers, or, even better, in packed boxes in a storage unit.

The Best Light Neutral Paint Colors for Home Staging

READ MORE

Home Staging Tips and Ideas: The 5 Key Rooms

Home Staging: 5 Affordable and Fun Ideas

The Top 8 Light Neutral Paint Colours for Home Staging

3 Home Staging Ideas: How to Decorate for Mass Appeal

Home Staging Tips and Ideas: 4 Rules to Follow

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting! 

Chat soon,

WRITTEN IN 2016 – FULLY OVERHAULED IN 2023

The post 4 Budget Friendly Home Staging, Update Ideas appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

BENJAMIN MOORE & SHERWIN WILLIAMS

Other than decluttering and cleaning, painting is the least expensive way to add value to your home. And not only does it add monetary value (as a home that’s well-maintained is FAR more appealing than one with scuffed walls), but it ALSO adds emotional value as the buyer walks through your home, envisions living in it, LOVES it and HAS TO HAVE it!

In my article, The Best Paint COLOURS for Home Staging, Selling I talked more about actual ‘colours’ because there are some slightly stronger colours that are suitable for resale, depending on the room, exposure and style of home. It was also more on a ‘per room‘ basis, rather than a ‘paint your whole home’ basis.

This article is for those of you wanting to paint either one room or your WHOLE HOME a soft neutral paint colour that has MASSIVE mass appeal.

However, let me preface this with the following…

While gray paint colours are still being used in today’s homes, trends are shifting warmer. So while I have some gorgeous grays included below, talk to your Realtor to find out what YOUR demographic and local market are looking for in an ‘updated’ home.

1. BENJAMIN MOORE STONINGTON GRAY HC-170

Stonington Gray IS a light gray paint colour with a stormy blue undertone (sometimes greenish), but with its LRV of 59.75, I might lighten it by 25% just to take the edge off to accommodate hallways and darker rooms.

Not sure what LRV is? You might want to read this article before you go much further as it’ll help you HUGELY in your search for the perfect paint colour.

Kylie M Interiors E-design

WHY IS STONINGTON GRAY SUCH A POPULAR COLOUR?

• Stonington has a nice body and depth to it without going overly heavy

• it has a soft blue undertone that isn’t as dominant as some of other gray-blue paint colours

THE BEST ROOMS FOR STONINGTON GRAY

• bathrooms

• bedrooms

• open layout areas

• rooms with strong south-facing or intense western afternoon sunshine

ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID STONINGTON GRAY

• rooms that are dark and dreary, you might want to check out Sherwin Williams Big Chill or Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

• homes with pink (countertop/toned flooring/furniture), check out Benjamin Moore Classic Gray instead

• in north-facing rooms, the blue may become more obvious. Remember, EVERY gray paint colour has undertones!

Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray

2. BENJAMIN MOORE GRAY OWL OC-52

Gray Owl is a light gray paint colour with a subtle blue-green undertone. This undertone doesn’t always show up, but in the right conditions, it can surprise you!

Kylie M Interiors E-Design

These photos show how soft and pretty Gray Owl can look. Keep in mind, it can look DRASTICALLY different from one room to another, depending on the exposure, furnishings, etc…and easily flexes from a green undertone to a blue one.

Open Layout Makeover – Budget-Friendly and Beautiful!

WHY IS GRAY OWL SUCH A POPULAR COLOUR?

• with the younger demographic it’s a SUPER popular choice

• it’s light enough to add interest without weighing a room down

THE BEST ROOMS FOR GRAY OWL

• south-facing rooms, north-facing rooms with reasonable natural light (knowing the room will look cool)

• wood tones and whites

ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID AVOID GRAY OWL 

• if your target market is aged 60+, generally speaking, they prefer more neutral/warmer colours

• in a north-facing, dark room, it could look awfully cold

The 12 Best ‘Whole Home’ Gray and Greige Paint Colours

Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CREAMY SW 7012

If you are looking for a gorgeous cream without TOO much yellow in it, this is a good one for you. Creamy is a yellow paint colour with a neutral added to calm it down and Creamy has JUST the right amount of both. If you look at the baseboard in the photo below, you’ll see the difference between Creamy and BM Cloud White.

WHY IS CREAMY SUCH A POPULAR CREAM PAINT COLOUR?

• Creamy is a warm colour without being overly yellow

• it’s modern and fresh feeling without having the coldness of a gray

• Creamy has appeal to a younger and older crowd as it’s versatile enough to accommodate both warm and cool tones in decor

• it has more depth to it than White Dove and Cloud White for those who don’t want white walls

• I also love the slightly more subtle Benjamin Moore White Down

THE BEST ROOMS FOR CREAMY

• definitely north or east-facing rooms as the warmth helps to balance out the cooler light

• hallways and darker areas

ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID CREAMY 

• if you have intense bright southern sun – it will disappear, unless you want a super soft subtle look. Check out a different cream instead

I am also a fan of Sherwin Williams Alabaster, which is more of a warm white, not quite an off-white…

The waiting room of Eddins Counselling

The 5 Best Cream Paint Colours

Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Creamy

4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CANVAS TAN SW 7531

Going for a modern and clean, but not TOTALLY boring look? Then Canvas Tan might be perfect for you!

Canvas Tan is a warm light depth tan with a neutral approach as it doesn’t flash obvious warm undertones (yellow, orange, red, green). It’s similar to Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan but is a shift lighter/creamier looking and lacking much of the green that can pop up in Man. Tan.

WHY IS CANVAS TAN SUCH A POPULAR WARM NEUTRAL PAINT COLOUR?

• Canvas Tan offers a subtle warmth without flashing an obvious colour, ie. yellow, red or orange

• it’s a warm tan colour without looking like the Builder’s Beige of the early 2000s

THE BEST ROOMS FOR CANVAS TAN

• it’s awesome in south-facing or north-facing rooms, just make sure the north-facing room has adequate light

• looks great with wood tones that have yellow hues

ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID CANVAS TAN 

• if you have a lot of products with a cool gray in them, check out Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray instead

Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan

Sherwin Williams: 5 of the Best Neutral/Beige Paint Colours

5. BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE OC-17

White Dove is a great choice for a soft white look. Unlike Cloud White, which has a bit more warmth-yellow in it, White Dove has a more neutral base, while still having the underlying warmth that stops it from becoming flat or gray. However, both are in my top 3 warm white paint colours.

Kylie M Interiors E-Design

WHY IS WHITE DOVE SUCH A POPULAR WHITE PAINT COLOUR?

• White Dove is warm without having a ‘colour’ to it

• it can be used on trim, walls and cabinets for a seamless look (read more HERE)

• north and south-facing rooms look great in White Dove’s subtle warmth

THE BEST ROOMS FOR WHITE DOVE

• most rooms, as long as you’re going for a soft, warm white look

ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID WHITE DOVE

• dark rooms, or more to the point, White Dove is FINE in a dark room, but it won’t save the day (improve your lighting)

• if you have clean white in your surrounding finishes (ie. white appliances)

 Benjamin Moore 8 Best White Paint Colours

Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore White Dove

6. BENJAMIN MOORE CLASSIC GRAY OC-23

Classic Gray is NOT exactly what it says, as while it IS classic…it’s not always gray!

As far as light, soft grays go, this is one of my faves. Many of today’s popular light gray colours can go slightly blue or green – not this one. Classic Gray favours a wee purple undertone that softens this colour and gives it interest. Depending on the room and its exposure, Classic Gray can flex from the gray end of things to the more greige end without committing 100% to either. Just be careful, it’s NOT a cool gray and has been known to pick up a ‘barely there’ purple-pink undertone in some lights. Your walls WON’T look pink – but the undertone will be softer than a typical cool gray.

WHY IS CLASSIC GRAY SUCH A POPULAR PAINT COLOUR?

• it gives the illusion of gray without being cold or icy

• the depth (LRV) suits a variety of rooms and conditions

THE BEST ROOMS FOR CLASSIC GRAY

• works well in rooms with any type of exposure

• is flexible to accommodate a variety of tastes

• add a bit more depth and you’ll get Balboa Mist or Collingwood

ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID CLASSIC GRAY

• if you have products with a green undertone (look at Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter)

• rooms with a LOT of natural light will make Classic Gray washout

Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

7. BENJAMIN MOORE BALBOA MIST 1549

Balboa Mist is a slightly warm gray-greige with a warm purple undertone. It’s warmer and more feminine than Classic Gray with its soft and dusky undertone, at times picking up a faint purple-pink hue (nothing OVERLY dominant though – super passive).

WHY IS BALBOA MIST SUCH A POPULAR PAINT COLOUR?

• its undertones are soft and subtle while adding a bit more ‘colour’ than traditional grays

• Balboa Mist has a romantic and soft look while still being fresh

THE BEST ROOMS FOR BALBOA MIST

• south, north, east or west-facing rooms – it holds itself relatively well in most lights as long as the undertones suit the space

ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID BALBOA MIST

• you have products with a green undertone in them., check out Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray or Benjamin Moore Rodeo instead

Add a bit more depth and you’ll get Benjamin Moore Collingwood or Benjamin Moore Cumulus Cloud

Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a FEW reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on location

• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

• if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

8. BENJAMIN MOORE EDGECOMB GRAY HC-173

Edgecomb Gray is HANDS-DOWN, one of the most popular warm neutral paint colours – not just for home staging, but for ANY situation.

WHY IS EDGECOMB GRAY SUCH A POPULAR PAINT COLOUR?

• it’s a happy medium for those who love gray and those who prefer beige

• its depth suits a variety of rooms and conditions

THE BEST ROOMS FOR EDGECOMB GRAY

• works well in rooms with any type of exposure so long as the lighting is adequate

• is flexible to accommodate a variety of tastes

ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID USING EDGECOMB GRAY 

• if you have products with a green undertone, be careful, as it can look a bit pink in comparison

• in super low light rooms it can look dingy, make sure you have enough interior lighting

WHAT ARE SOME ALTERNATIVES TO EDGECOMB GRAY?

If you want your walls a bit lighter and warmer than Agreeable Gray, check out Benjamin Moore Ballet White or Sherwin Williams White Duck.

Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS AGREEABLE GRAY SW 7029

Agreeable Gray is a gorgeous greige paint colour. Greige is a blend of gray and beige and THIS particular one leans a bit more into gray, especially in north-facing rooms.

WHY IS AGREEABLE GRAY SUCH A POPULAR NEUTRAL PAINT COLOUR?

• Agreeable Gray is great for mass appeal, home buyers love it

• it goes with a variety of surfaces as the undertone are pretty flexible

THE BEST ROOMS FOR AGREEABLE GRAY

• South-facing or west-facing afternoon rooms that have a lot of warm light
• North-facing rooms if you want a warm, but not beige-tan paint colour

ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID USING AGREEABLE GRAY

• If you have north-facing or east-facing, Agreeable Gray WILL look grayer/cooler. Read more: The Best WHOLE HOME Gray and Greige Paint Colours

WHAT ARE SOME ALTERNATIVES TO AGREEABLE GRAY?

If you’re looking for a paint colour that’s more gray, check out Sherwin Williams Repose Gray. On the other hand, if you want more warmth, take a look at Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige.

Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

READ MORE

Home Staging – 5 Key Rooms

Home Staging for Mass Appeal

The Best Paint COLOURS for Home Staging

Not sure which colours will be best for your home or investment property? 

Check out my affordable Online Consulting Services!

Chat soon,

Originally written 2017, updated in 2021

The post The 8 Best LIGHT NEUTRAL Paint Colours for Selling Your Home (Staging) appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Partner post: The Top 8 LIGHT NEUTRAL Paint Colors for Home Staging

I’m not a consultant who believes that all homes sell better when painted light, neutral colors. In fact, many homes sell faster and for more money because their colors resonate on an emotional level with buyers, whether it’s because they have more COLOR (chroma) to them or more DEPTH than the average light neutral paint color.

So, this blog post is not only about COLORS, it’s also about neutral with a bit more meat on their bones, ones that my Online Paint Color Consulting clients (and home buyers) seem to fall in love with at first sight. Colors that might help YOU add some emotional and ACTUAL value to your home.

See the BEFORE & AFTER as well as color details HERE

1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT SW 6204

This is definitely one of the more popular green-blue inspired paint colors on the market! Sea Salt is a beautiful light green with a decent gray backdrop, but be warned – it also loves to flex into blue due to its particular blend!

Sea Salt has an LRV of 63, a GORGEOUS depth for the average room (read more about that HERE). It handles itself reasonably well in low-lit and brighter light, but like I always say, ‘if you don’t have enough artificial or natural light, there’s no paint color that will save you’. 

THE BEST ROOMS FOR SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT

• a master or guest bedroom

• bathroom

• homes with a beachy vibe

• Sea Salt is not a color you would do multiple rooms in, its best for singular spaces

PAINT COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SEA SALT BUT WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT LOOK

Sherwin Williams Rainwashed is similar to Sea Salt but leans harder into a blue undertone. Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue is VERY comparable if you prefer one brand over another.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Paint Colors with LRV

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Sea Salt

Steel Wool is AWESOME. It’s a medium-dark toned charcoal gray with a decent blue undertone. Blue loves to lean either green or purple, and this one leans slightly purple.

In fact, I used Steel Wool in our LAST home and it got RAVE reviews (and yes, the house did go into multiple offers).

Steel Wool has an LRV of 19 – BOOM! It’s certainly got some visual weight to it but NEVER looks black, even in a darker space.

THE BEST ROOMS OR WALLS FOR BENJAMIN MOORE STEEL WOOL

• a bedroom that is reasonably well-lit

• a family room

• as a feature wall

PAINT COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO STEEL WOOL BUT WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT LOOK

Sherwin Williams African Gray is a great comparable to Steel Wool, whereas Benjamin Moore Trout Gray has a bit less undertone and more depth. For even MORE depth, check out Benjamin Moore Gray 2121-10.

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Steel Wool

3. BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER HC-172

Revere Pewter is a lovely warm gray paint color that’s been HUGELY popular in the last five years – and is still going strong. While many grays pick up a blue or purple undertone, Revere Pewter is more likely to pick up a faint earthy-green that makes it look warmer than the average gray. And because it’s likely to pick up a bit MORE undertone than many grays, I’ve included it in both the ‘best light NEUTRAL paint colors for staging‘ as well as this more COLORFUL blog post.

With an LRV of 55, Revere Pewter has a bit more depth and undertone than the average ‘home staging paint color‘. But let me tell you, it has HUGE mass appeal and suits MANY styles of homes.

All About Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

THE BEST ROOMS FOR BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER

• any or all of the 5 Key Rooms

• bathrooms

• south-facing rooms (to balance out the warm exposure a bit)

• small or large rooms

• when lightened by 25-50%, it is great for dark rooms or hallways

• I also have a soft spot for the slightly darker, Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray

PAINT COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO REVERE PEWTER BUT WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT LOOK

Benjamin Moore Rodeo is great if you want a color that’s slightly lighter. Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray is a shade that’s similar to Revere Pewter but has a bit more depth and undertone.

4. BENJAMIN MOORE GIBRALTAR CLIFFS 1587

Gibraltar Cliffs is HANDS-DOWN one of the prettiest gray-blue paint colors, with just the right depth to envelop an entire room or act as a feature wall to light neutral paint color.

Sherwin Williams Anonymous on the left, Gibraltar Cliffs and Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray on the right

Gibraltar Cliffs has a reasonable depth with its LRV of 30. And not only is it a blue-gray blend, but it also has a soft green hiding in it as well.

THE BEST ROOMS FOR GIBRALTAR CLIFFS

• bedrooms that have reasonable natural light

• a small bathroom

• feature wall

• cabinets or bathroom vanities (can be stunning)

Paint Color Review for Benjamin Moore Gibraltar Cliffs

PAINT COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO GIBRALTAR CLIFFS BUT WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT LOOK

Benjamin Moore Mount Saint Anne is similar to Gibraltar Cliffs and is great if you want a lighter approach.

Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a FEW reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on location

• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

• if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

CHECK OUT SAMPLIZE HERE

5. BENJAMIN MOORE CHELSEA GRAY HC 168

Looking to make an impact? Then check out Chelsea Gray. This medium-toned gray color makes for a striking feature or accent wall or can completely envelop a room in its loveliness! Is it brave? HECK YA, but if you have the right room, you can make a great statement with it.

Keep in mind that while it’s SAID to be a warm gray, Chelsea Gray usually looks cool (like me in aviators) and can pick up a minor green undertone.

The 4 Best Gray and Greige Paint Colors for Cabinets

With an LRV of 22, Chelsea Gray has some serious meat on its bones. But, time and time again, it holds up well, even in darker spaces (when you want more of a moody look vs light and bright).

THE BEST ROOMS FOR BENJAMIN MOORE CHELSEA GRAY

• feature or accent walls

• media rooms

• cabinets

PAINT COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO CHELSEA GRAY BUT WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT LOOK

I LOVE the slightly darker Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray for some serious impact and drama. As it relates to Sherwin Williams, check out Classic French Gray and the warmer Sherwin Williams Dovetail

Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

Click HERE or on the above image to see available packages!

6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SILVER STRAND SW 7057

Silver Strand is a light, but not a washed-out blend of blue, green, and even shades of gray. It’s also a bit of a chameleon as it seems to change its look based on WHO’S LOOKING AT IT! Some call it a blue-gray, others, a blue-green, but NOBODY calls it boring.

The 8 Best Blue and Green Paint Colors

With an LRV of 59, Silver Strand is a great way to get some color on your walls and contrast with white trim, without overwhelming a space.

THE BEST ROOMS FOR SHERWIN WILLIAMS SILVER STRAND

• bedroom or bathroom

• a room that needs to look restful and relaxing

• great for a bit of color without going TOO far

PAINT COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SILVER STRAND BUT WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT STYLE

If Silver Strand is just too colorful, you might want to bump back to Benjamin Moore Gray Owl, which is a light gray with green-blue undertones. If you love that bit of color, check out Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere or the slightly darker Sherwin Williams Argos (mad love).

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Silver Strand

7. BENJAMIN MOORE ANCHOR GRAY 2126-30

Anchor Gray is STUNNING. And while not every home can handle a strong navy blue, Anchor Gray is a great way to get the navy look, without going overboard (get it?).

THE BEST ROOMS, WALLS OR SITUATIONS FOR BENJAMIN MOORE ANCHOR GRAY

• feature or accent walls

• cabinets or kitchen islands

• entire rooms, as long as they’re reasonably well-lit (check those bulbs!)

PAINT COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO ANCHOR GRAY BUT WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT STYLE

Of course, there’s ALWAYS Benjamin Moore Hale Navy which is a navy blue with more depth and color than Anchor Gray. I also love the more muted approach of Benjamin Moore Trout Gray, which is a VERY popular medium-toned gray with violet-blue undertones.

The Best DARK GRAY Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore

8. BENJAMIN MOORE WOODLAWN BLUE HC-147

Woodlawn Blue is a GORGEOUS blue paint color with just the right shade of gray to calm it down. As mentioned earlier, blue can lean either blue-purple or blue-green – this lovely one leans lightly into blue-green.

THE BEST ROOMS FOR BENJAMIN MOORE WOODLAWN BLUE

• a bedroom

• a small bathroom

• south-facing room to help balance the warm light

PAINT COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO WOODLAWN BLUE BUT WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT STYLE

If you add a wink of green to Woodlawn Blue, you’ll end up with a color like Sherwin Williams Rainwashed, which is equally as pretty.

The Best Blue-Green Blend Paint Colors

The Best Blue-Gray Blend Paint Colors

OH, WHAT THE HAY, LET’S DO A FEW MORE…

9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS DORIAN GRAY SW 7017

I LOVE DORIAN GRAY! Dorian Gray’s LIGHTER version, Repose Gray, is definitely one of the more popular LIGHT warm gray paint colors, but for me, I love the body and contrast that Dorian Gray offers. When it comes to undertones, you’ll find this soft, medium-toned warm gray can pick up a very vague purple undertone that can sometimes flash a TINY wink green (vague).

THE BEST ROOMS, WALLS & SITUATIONS FOR DORIAN GRAY

• a kinky Friday night (50 Shades of Gray reference, for those in the know)

• entire rooms that are reasonably well-lit

• feature wall, if the other walls are off-white

• small bathroom

• painted cabinets

• I also love the slightly warmer Sherwin Williams Mega Greige

PAINT COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SHERWIN WILLIAMS DORIAN GRAY

If you want a bit more depth, check out Sherwin Williams Dovetail which is particularly popular for feature walls and cabinets. Benjamin Moore Metropolis is also a beautiful medium-toned gray paint color that has a bit more warmth.

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray

10. BENJAMIN MOORE ARCTIC SHADOWS 1559

Arctic Shadows is one of the only true greens on this page. Why? Blue has WAY more mass appeal, whereas the wrong green can actually date a space.

Arctic Shadows is a green-gray blend. So while you get COLOR, you aren’t smacked upside the head with it, which is one of the reasons why it’s popular.

Kylie M & Tim Hanson Productions

The Best Benjamin Moore Green Paint Colors

THE BEST ROOMS FOR ARCTIC SHADOWS

• entire rooms

• cabinets and bathroom vanities

• rooms with wood surfaces if you want to ACCENT the wood

• balance south-facing or afternoon western sunshine

READ MORE

Home Staging Tips – 5 Key Rooms

Home Staging for Mass Appeal

The Best Light, Neutral Paint Colors for Home Staging

The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colors

The 8 Best WHOLE HOME Warm Neutral Paint Colors

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Consulting and Paint Color services! 

Chat soon,

Originally written in 2015, updated with new info and photos in 2021!

The post The 8 Best Benjamin Moore Paint ‘COLORS’ for Home Staging appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

4 Rules for Home Staging

Home staging is a great way to improve the selling potential of your home. If a healthy relationship is developed between you, your home and your realtor then you have a great chance of selling your home at the right time for the right price.

Here are the things that when used as a ‘package’ will improve the selling potential of your home

• The price is appropriate based on a reputable realtor’s knowledge and recommendation – not yours
• Marketing is sufficient
• It is a healthy real estate market for your homes’ price range based on the economy/interest rates/etc…
• The home is in tip-top selling condition

So obviously 2 of those things are the Realtor’s responsibilities, 1 of those is subject to mortgage rates/economy/season and 1 of those is all about YOU.

The Homeowner’s Responsibilities

Yes, YOU play one of the most important roles in the sale of your home and your responsibility is equally as important as the Realtor’s and there are some key rules/guidelines for you to follow to improve the selling potential of your home – it’s time to get your sweat on!

Now I like to think of myself as a designer who is well-grounded in reality (most of the time anyway…) and I know you only have so much time, energy and money to invest in your home. I also know that many of you have kids, pets and lifestyle requirements that make it more ‘challenging’ to present your home in tip-top shape, therefore, the suggestions I make are based on that knowledge, so humour me…(as I have young kids and pets too…and a hubby).

4 Key Rules for Homeowners

Home Staging Rule #1    Clean Clean Clean

I have been in many homes where the homeowner ‘feels’ that their home is clean. Your home cannot be clean based on your standards – unless you are remarkably anal. You can probably tell me that you are clean and I can probably tell you that you aren’t clean enough. Hey, I have kids too and I know how it can get. But the reality is if you get your home fantastically clean and then make a concentrated effort to maintain it, it will all be manageable.

Having kids/pets is not an excuse for having an unclean home when you are trying to sell. If you would like to stay in your house then fill yer boots!

Aside from keeping a clutter-free and tidy space, here are the jobs that you should be doing every 2 -3 days (you want to sell your home, right?)

• Vacuuming/sweeping/mopping
• Sinks and faucets (kitchen and bathroom)
• Countertops and table (including dining and coffee tables)

Now here are the things that you could/should hire a cleaner to do. If you maintain your home then this should only need to be done once  If your home is on the market for a longer period of time you may need to check/re-do every 2 months.  If you tend to be rough on your home, you need to check these things every 2 weeks.

• Baseboards and trims – Especially the tops of baseboards in kitchens, entryways and bathrooms.  The crap that collects there is a major turnoff to a buyer with clean sensibilities.  Also wipe down your door trims from 4′ down; this is where they get the most wear and tear.  A basic cloth with soap and water should be enough to take off any built-up grime.
• Light switch covers – An amazing amount of finger goo can build up on these just from day-to-day use.
• Cabinet doors in kitchens and bathrooms – You may not notice all of the drips and gooey stuff that has dried on your cabinets, but potential buyers will! If you take a step back you may also notice a build-up of grease around the handles and stove area. Use a 1 to 4 vinegar to water mixture and a clean cloth. If that doesn’t cut through then use just vinegar on its own.  Be cautious when using actual ‘degreasers’ like TSP and Goo Gone as they can often remove the finish on the cabinets as well as the grease.
• Walls in high-traffic areas – This is often the case in entryways/stairwells where hands and shoes scuff the area up to the 4′ mark. Do not use just a damp cloth to wipe your walls  – always use some kind of soap/cleaner or you will upset your paint finish.
• Windows in main areas – It can be costly to have the interior and exterior of your windows cleaned. Just be sure that the ones in your 5 Key Rooms are clean inside and out – especially if you have a view!
• Grout on the floor/in showers and caulking around the base of the toilet/tub/shower surround/sink – Start by using a basic bathroom cleaner and a toothbrush (not your spouses…) to scrub these areas. If the grout does not come clean, consider purchasing a more industrial cleaner like Zep Grout Cleaner from Home Depot. If your caulking is mouldy in the shower then a mixture of bleach and water should take care of it. If that doesn’t work then you need to remove it and re-do it.
• Window sills – Mouldy window sills can be a red flag for potential buyers who may think the home has a moisture/air circulation issue and can also be a reminder that the windows are old and outdated. Here is an excellent ‘how-to’ for effectively cleaning the mould from your window sills.

Cleanliness Killers

#1 – Pet Odour. Whether it’s a litter box or a rug that has been urinated on (by a pet…) buyers will be sensitive to smells that don’t exist in their own home. You may have adjusted to the smells in your home, so just because you can’t smell it doesn’t mean that they can’t. Go on the assumption that your cat litter smells as does your rug and take the appropriate steps to ensure that they don’t. This may involve new cat litter that has odour control, cleaning the litter daily and having your carpets cleaned by a professional cleaner who is trained to deal with pet odour (don’t try to save money by doing it yourself – it’s never the same – buck-up buttercup.)

#2 – Smoke. There are very few things that put a potential buyer off more than the smell of smoke. I have been in homes where the homeowner doesn’t smoke in the house – yet it still smells like smoke?  This is because they often smoke outside the home; often in the garage or out on the back deck. The smell of smoke infiltrates the house and usually effects an area of approx 200 sq ft surrounding the area where they enter/exit when they smoke.

I appreciate you may like to smoke, however, you have to realize that it may affect the sale of your home – whether you can smell it or not.

Read more: The 8 Best Paint Colours for Home Staging

Home Staging Rule #2    Declutter Your 5 Key Rooms

Read more:  Home Staging Tips – 5 Key Rooms

You may think that potential buyers will ‘look past’ all of your belongings to see the bones of the home, but many will not be able to. If buyers are distracted by the amount of furnishings/accessories in a home, they will be unlikely to notice the features that actually ‘come with’ the home. 

Yes, it will feel different, it won’t feel like your space anymore, it will feel impersonal and it may be slightly less visually interesting to you – but these are all good things. You want to sell your home, right?  Your space needs to be the best reflection of ‘itself’ rather than the best reflection of ‘you‘.

Here are some ideas to help you do this…

Define the Focal Point

Every room should have a focal point and you need to ensure that the layout of your furniture complements it.  In your living room it’s a fireplace/view, in a bedroom it’s the headboard wall and in the dining room, it’s the center of the table. If you have too much furniture in a room then viewers will not be able to see beyond it. Likewise, if you have too many accessories or too much artwork cluttering your focal point – the point will be lost.

Point to Ponder: If you find yourself saying “But I like…but I need…”then you know you need to step away and view the home how a buyer would see it – if you are intent on having it a certain way then you may have to be content with living there a whole lot longer than you anticipated.

Take each room back to the basics

Each rooms’ basics can vary depending on the size, but here are some general guidelines to follow…(not including some basic accessorizing and artwork)

• Livingroom: Couch, loveseat, 1-2 accent chairs, 2-3 side tables, coffee table, entertainment unit (only when necessary) and the odd shelving unit/decorative piece depending on the size of the room
• Dining room: Table with 4-8 chairs (remember it’s better to show your room at it’s highest capacity than it’s lowest if space comfortably allows), buffet and hutch AND THAT’S IT!!!
• Bedrooms: Bed/headboard, 2 side tables, low boy dresser, highboy dresser. If you have a large room you may also include a bench at the end of the bed and accent chair.  Anything else is more than is necessary.
• Bathroom: Towels hanging, soap and 1-2 accessory pieces…and that’s it. Nobody wants to see your dressing gown, toothbrushes, hairbrushes or extra toilet paper rolls.

Home Staging Rule #3    Clarify Use

It needs to be obvious what each room is used for based on the original intentions of the home. Yes, this may upset your daily function but you want to sell your home right? Short-term discomfort for long-term gain – suck it up sweetcheeks!

Because the living room is one of the key rooms, it is vital that it is staged perfectly. In a small space, it is okay to have an ‘office zone’ in your living room – as long as it is subtle.

So, if your living room is currently your playroom, your dining room is your office or your spare room is a storage space then you need to do some major reorganizing. 

Dining rooms are often multi-use spaces. Like I mentioned in the ‘declutter’ category, it is essential to take this room back to the basics meaning it needs at bare minimum a table and chairs. Once again, you can certainly have an ‘office zone’ within your dining room – as long as it’s not the feature.

Spare rooms. There are a few things to consider when staging spare rooms:

• If you have 1 spare room – it needs to be staged properly as a bedroom/office
• If you have 2 spare rooms – 1 of them has to be staged properly as a bedroom or office
• If you have 3 or more spare rooms – at least 2 of them need to be staged properly.

Sometimes time/energy doesn’t allow you to clear every space in your home, but as long as the important ones are ready then you are good to go.

Home Staging Rule #4    DE-Personalize

There’s always a fine line when it comes to de-personalizing your space. Your home should not be a shrine to you and your family, nor should it be void of feeling and personality. Buyers need to feel like they can live in your space; rather than feeling like they are invading it.

While the gallery-style arrangement is beautiful, the photos are just too personal

• Livingroom: No more than 3 family photos or 1 small display
• Kitchen: No family photos
• Dining room: No more than 1 family photo or 1 small display
• Bedroom: No family photos
• Kids rooms: No more than 2 photos or one photo display
• Hallways: No more than 1 display/photo per hall/stairwell

De-personalizing also includes removing any items that are quite ‘specific’ to you and your family. This includes toothbrushes, non-decorative towels, bathrobes and slippers, monogrammed items and personal items such as medications.

 

The post Home Staging Tips and Ideas – 4 Rules to Follow appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Let me begin by saying that this article is geared toward homeowners who are thinking of selling their homes and the Realtors who are selling them. The rest of you might not find this info all that thrilling…

The 2 Types of Home Staging

I’ve done a lot of home staging in my days and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked into the fearstruck eyes of homeowners who are CERTAIN I’m going to spend all their money and turn their home upside down (which is what I do to Tim the hubby, but not my clients).

Why? Because they watch TV and therefore, are FULLY informed as to how home staging works. You know, the kind where you spend approx. 1 – 3% of the listing price, bring in a team of trades to update and renovate and WHAM BAM, THANK YOU MA’AM, 3 days later it’s ready for the market.

Oh reality TV,  you are SO not realistic sometimes.

There are in fact 2 types of Real-life Home Staging…

And remember, NOT EVERY HOME IS STAGEABLE! Well, let me rephrase that, EVERY home is stageable, but not every homeowner is willing for emotional and/or financial reasons and we have to respect that. So, there is the odd home that just needs to be sold as-is and priced accordingly. We Home Stagers have quite the job, acting as decorators, stagers AND psychologists (wink wink).

And this whole article is really a series of bulleted points, but it’s the best way to point out the pros and cons of both styles.

The Full Meal Deal Home Stage

This first type is similar to what you would see on TV and usually includes several, if not all of the following…

• Rented or purchased furniture and accessories
• Trades such as painters, tilers and flooring installers
• Minor and major renovations and updates including products such as paint, new countertops, cabinets, backsplashes, flooring, fireplaces and window coverings
• The rental of a storage unit for existing furniture and odds and ends
• Cleaning, decluttering, depersonalizing and redecorating
• On average, 1-3% of the listing price is spent
• A timeline of 2-4 weeks

The Pros

• This type of Staging shows a home at its absolute BEST. If you have the time, money and access to qualified help and rentable furnishings, then this is a great way to go.
• They say (whoever ‘they’ are) that you can expect a return of 2-3 times what you invest, so it’s a great way to make more money.
• It can also reduce the time that your home spends on the market as it will be more appealing to the majority of buyers and more attractive than the competition.
• Works great for homes that are empty and homeowners with funds to effectively stage the main rooms.

The Cons

• It’s simple – time and money.
• If you just need furniture rental, accessories, decluttering and cleaning you can have this done in under 1 week. If you need trades and new products this can be anywhere from 2-4 weeks (if you’re lucky)
• The idea of spending 1-3% of your listing price is great if you HAVE that money to spend and trust me, not everyone does.
• You will have ongoing expenditures/monthly costs with the furniture rental as well as a storage unit (if needed). This comes off of your bottom line. If your home sells quickly then you’re lovin’ it. If the market isn’t so hot and you’re sitting on your home for more than a few months, this can get pretty pricey pretty quick.
• Not every city has access to staging supplies. Larger cities have freakin’ GLORIOUS warehouses of couches, lamps and artwork. In other parts of the world (like Nanaimo) there are no great mecca’s of staging and you’re left having to buy items at stores such as Home Sense, Urban Barn and on a bad day – Walmart
• If you are renting furniture and have children, you may want to invest in some plastic covers otherwise you may end up owning it…
• It can be stressful. Handing your home over to professionals and crossing your fingers that the money you are spending will MAKE you money can be emotionally draining, particularly during the ‘update and renovate’ process.

The ‘Lets Get ‘er Done’ Home Stage

And then there’s the ‘other’ type of home staging, the redheaded stepchild (I can say that because I am one) to the ever-popular ‘go big or go home’ style of home staging. It is less known but equally as valid as it follows the principle of…

‘Make the best of what you have and improve where you can afford to’

In this example above, we spent NO money and simply decluttered and reorganized.

On the high side, you might spend upwards of $500 to make some necessary changes to your home, but more often than not, the shopping list is under $150 and includes many of the following:

• A goal of spending ‘little to no money’ on things that aren’t completely necessary
• Getting the house in listing condition in 4-7 days
• A major focus on the 5 Key Rooms. A minor focus on the secondary spaces (and each home is different)
• Furniture repositioning to improve flow and to accent features/camouflage flaws
• A detailed to-do list for the homeowner outlining what things need to be packed away, decluttered and depersonalized (some people prefer to do this themselves)
• Purchase of minor accessories where needed (toss cushions, mirror, plant, etc…)
• Budget-allowing, investment in a few accent pieces such as small tables, chairs, area rugs, lamps
• A detailed to-do list of items that need to be cleaned/fixed/replaced. This list is for the homeowner to do (if capable), saving them the cost of hiring someone to do this for them.
• A detailed list as to how to best leave the home for showings and open houses
• A list of minor updates that the homeowner could do to improve the saleability of their home if they have the funds/time available (ie: cabinet hardware, light fixtures, paint, etc..)

Pros 

• It’s efficient and gets the home on the market fast
• It’s affordable for everyone
• Realtors can actually include this type of staging in their marketing (if they are smart – wink wink) at no cost to the homeowner
• It’s less stressful and relatively pain free (on your emotions and your wallet). Let’s face it, selling a home can be stressful, particularly for those who have lived in their home a long time/seniors. Reducing this stress and just doing ‘what needs to be done to get the ball rolling’ is simply put, a kindness.
• It can reduce the amount of time a home spends on the market as the home has more mass appeal

Cons

• While a home can be greatly improved with very simple things, it’s not as drastic or effective as renting/buying furniture/renovating.
• It can improve the sale price of the home as well as the amount of time the home spends on the market, but may be fractional compared to the investment potential of ‘The Full Meal Deal’.

It’s not rocket science here.  A home with good bones often just needs a decluttering and cleaning to make it ‘showing ready’.

So, which type of home staging do I prefer? Well, if I’m watching TV then I’m all for Option 1. However, having lived in the real world for a few years now, I much prefer Option 2 as a way to improve a home’s selling potential without having to do more than is necessary.

And yes, the avid ‘Full Meal Deal’ Home Stagers may claim that the less expensive form of home staging isn’t ‘home staging’, it’s ‘getting your home ready for listing’. Call it what you want, but either choice is better than doing nothing which is often the choice of the misinformed homeowner.

Chat soon,

NEED HELP?

Check out my affordable E-Design!

Read more:

The Top 8 Neutral Paint Colours for Home Staging

4 Budget Friendly Home Staging Tips and Ideas

Home Staging Tips and Ideas – 5 Key Rooms

Kylie M Interiors    Interior Decorating and Design.  Home Staging.  Blog.  Affordable Decorating Tips and Ideas.  E-Design and Consulting Services.  Based in Nanaimo BC Vancouver Island and serving the whole darned World!

The post The 2 Types of Home Staging – Which is Best For You? appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Budget Friendly Home Staging Tips for Mass Appeal

The goal of home staging is to appeal to as many buyers as possible with the hopes of making MORE money and a quick sale. So, while you may think that your bong, nude self-portraits, dog fur accent rug, and blow-up doll will add value to your home – trust me, they won’t. And yes, these are just a few of the totally bizarre things that I’ve come across in my home staging adventures (I could write a book).

So how DO you appeal to as many people as possible? Well, you grab a bottle glass of wine (which is what I did after meeting with those clients) and you keep on readin’…

Home Staging Tip #1

Take away overly personal/personalized items

Monograms/Initials. If you have a monogram on your wall or as an accessory on a bookshelf, pack it away. This is like putting a stamp on your home saying ‘IT’S MINE, ALL MINE!!!’ This also includes the outdoors (for those of you with your last name nailed to the front of your home).

Kids Names/Initials. If your kids have their names in vinyl, wood or artwork on their doors or walls, take these down as well. Buyers need to picture themselves in these rooms and shouldn’t know your kids by their first name.

This photo is cute for the lil’ gal living in it, but if it were to be staged, we’d take down the ‘C’ and put some more generic photos in the frames – animals, quotes, things like that.

To see more of this project click here

Personal Paperwork. This includes degrees, bills, trophies and anything that has your name, credentials or otherwise on it. Nobody needs to see what you owe on your Visa bill or how smarty-pants you are with your degrees and diplomas.

An office that is not ready for showings…

And office that is ready for a big sale!

Personal Linens. You may think that your nappy ole robe hanging behind your bathroom or bedroom door isn’t going to be noticed – it will be. Robes, slippers and towels that have been used are super personal items when viewing a home – personally, I twitch a little when I see these things.

There are a multitude of sins in this loo…

• Towel hanging on a ring (looks like a daily use towel to me)
• Towel hanging over the door
• Bath mat that isn’t just for show (the worst)
• Shampoos (boutique shampoos for staging are okay)
• Razor

This bathroom is a MUCH better example…

See the FAB before and afters here

Home Staging Tip #2

Limit the personal photos

There is a SUPER fine line between what is just enough and what is TOO MUCH when it comes to family photos. It is OKAY to show that human beings live in your home, however, there are limits…

• Avoid family photos in the master bedroom, living room or on mantels
• Limited amounts of photos are okay in a family room, office, kids room or hallway…focus on the word limited
• No nude baby shots or pregnancy photos – toooo personal. Sure, your boobs looked FABulous when you were prego, but not everyone needs to see them (wink wink)
• If you have frames hung on the wall that will leave damaged drywall if removed, consider putting a landscape/city/generic photo in the frame

If you choose to have family photos…

• Look on Pinterest to see how to do a photo gallery. A well-placed photo gallery wall can ADD to the appeal of a home, particularly for the 20-50 year old market. We had a photo gallery going up the stairwell in our last home and it added IMMENSELY to the visual appeal of our home as potential buyers said, ‘I’ve always wanted to do that!’ However, if you can’t do it the right way in the right spot – just don’t do it
• Make sure they are in modern frames and mats – no outdated school photos in plain oak frames (you are so busted). The look of these dates a home. Make sure the photos are in a modernized setting

Home Staging Tip #3

Don’t make buyers confused

If it’s a dining room, make sure it’s set-up as a dining room (not an office). If it’s a bedroom, make sure it’s set-up as a bedroom (not as a storage room). When a buyer walks through your home it should be obvious as to what the function of each room is (regardless of how you live in it on a daily basis).

See this beautiful dining room here!

See this Country Farmhouse Style Home

In a highly unrealistic world, homes would be emptied out and staged with furniture and accessories from a warehouse. However, in the REAL world a) not everyone has money to rent/buy the perfect piece of furniture b) it can be challenging and expensive to live in a staged home if you are in a slow housing market and don’t sell quickly (and have children and/or pets) c) not every town has a business that rents furniture/accessories that aren’t butt-ugly or insanely overpriced.

Here’s your options…

1.  Budget-allowing, purchase the pieces you need to make the room suit its original function
2.  If you DON’T have the budget to buy anything, it is better to have NOTHING than the wrong thing. That’s right, it is better to leave the room empty than to show it set-up with the wrong function. The wrong function can leave buyers confused and can upset the natural flow of a home

It is better to have NOTHING than the WRONG thing

Now, those are just a FEW ways to improve the selling potential of your home…

Need more help?

Check out my affordable Online Decorating and Color Packages!

Chat soon, 

The post 3 Home Staging Ideas: How to Decorate for Mass Appeal appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

(partner post to 4 Budget Friendly Home Staging Ideas)

When it comes to home staging, I’m usually the gal who wants to save money – not spend it. There is such HUGE value to be found in decluttering, repositioning and a little spit n’ polish that I don’t get too caught up in the whole ‘rented furniture’ thing and there’s 2 reasons for that…

#1 – Nanaimo doesn’t have a great supplier for home staging supplies (other than my garage). Vancouver does, but I’ve done the math and it’s actually more affordable to purchase pieces for the short/long-term than it is to rent them.

#2 – Homeowners rarely want to spend money and they CERTAINLY don’t want to spend it on new furnishings, whether they are rented, bought or stolen.

However, once in a moon with a slightly blue undertone, I come across a client who says, ‘hey, let’s do it and let’s do it right’ (referring to staging – not my alternative profession.)

So, along with sharing some great photos with you, I’m also going to give you some home staging ideas that you can apply to your home whether you choose to rent furniture, buy some new pieces or use your existing furnishings.

So blah blah blah – ON TO THE PHOTOS ALREADY!

Home Staging Idea #1     Add Some Bling Baby!

A low-light room (or any room really) can benefit from reflective surfaces as they amp up the energy level. You don’t want to overdo it, but repeating a shiny finish 3 times in a room is a great way to add a positive energy and flow.

Great ways to add bling

• Use glass topped tables
• Find a few key pieces with chrome or brass details
• Add a mirror (acts like a window)
• Get a sugar daddy

Read more: Home Staging – 4 Rules to Follow

Home Staging Idea #2     Keep Things Balanced

Balance is key when you want to give buyers the impression that the home is easy to decorate and comfortable to live in. When things are off-balance and not centered a room can look cluttered and awkward.

Where is balance the most important?

In the living room. Some layouts are hard to achieve balance in, but wherever possible you want to use pairs of items and place them in similar positions (ie: side tables/accent chairs/lamps)

In the bedroom. When staging you should have 2 matching side table with 2 matching lamps on either side of the bed. The bed should also be centered on the main wall with an organized toss cushion display.

Home Staging Idea #3     Colour Repetition

Colour repetition is a great way to reinforce a style and to keep things simple. It’s best to repeat a colour 3 times in a room so that your eye picks it up in a variety of places and uses it to get an overall impression of the room.

A few ways to add colour

• Toss cushions and throws
• Artwork
• Accessories such as vases and decorative pieces
• Fabric (drapes/chair seats)

Read more: Home Staging – 5 Key Rooms

Home Staging Idea #4     Make it Personal

I’m sure you’ve heard a million times to take the ‘personality’ out of your home – no family photos, no personal items, etc… First of all, I’m not always a believer in this as sometimes it’s the heartfelt pieces that make it ‘feel’ like a home and secondly, there are ways to make things ‘personal’ without scaring off potential buyers and the best way is to find out your target market.

Figure out what the target market is for your home and then find out the styles that are popular in that age group.

This home was built to appeal to the younger/first time buyer so it made sense to add things that felt ‘personalized’ with writing (as it’s a huge trend right now). I also added accent pieces including owls and a French bulldog, which are also popular in the younger decorative world right now.

Home Staging Idea #5     Make it IMpersonal…in the bathroom

While it’s okay to add some personality to other rooms, bathrooms are sacred ground when it comes to personality.

So what does this mean?

• No toothbrushes and toothpaste – even if they are in a pretty cup
• Hairbrushes and personal products put away
• Nobody wants to see your bra hanging on the back of the door, bong, fur coat made of your dog’s shavings, blow-up doll or box of extra large condoms – and yes I have seen all of these in my client’s homes and yes I am slightly traumatized.

Chat soon,

Check out my Online Consulting for a Personal Decorating Consultation

Read more

4 Budget Friendly Home Staging Ideas

The Best Light Paint Colours for Home Staging

Home Staging: The 5 Key Rooms

Kylie M Interiors  Interior Decorating, Design, Home Staging, E-Decor, E-Design and Affordable Online Consulting Services based in Nanaimo BC, serving Vancouver Island and the World!

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