Home Staging Trends for 2017

According to a recent article posted by the National Association of Realtors, the home staging trend for 2017 is to de-clutter, but avoid going too far and making the home feel cold or “institutional”. The key is to use accessories that add warmth and draw attention to interesting architectural features, such as built-in bookcases and fireplaces, while maintaining an overall feeling of tidiness and order. A well-staged home should not appear to be completely vacant, or as though no one has ever lived there. You want buyers to be able to envision themselves living in the home, so as important as it is to remove clutter and overly-personal items like family photos, the space must still feel inviting. If you have ever visited a builder’s model for a new construction development, you will notice that all rooms are furnished, there is usually tasteful artwork and nice touches that make the home beautiful and inviting, yet there are no overly-personal items or an abundance of knick-knacks.

Remember: simple changes can make a huge impact. For example, Jennifer Ames of Coldwell Banker in Chicago suggests replacing all the lightbulbs in the home with bulbs of the same wattage and color to create a subtle feeling of cohesion. Also, Ms. Ames suggests something as simple as purchasing clothing hangers of the same type and color for the closets, grouping clothing by color, and making sure all hangers face the same direction. This will create a clean, uniform look that appeals to buyers without appearing contrived. The important thing is to keep things cozy, warm and inviting, but not too personal.

Here are a few examples of “Do’s and Don’ts” outlined by NAR:

Too Intimate/Not enough staging:

Yellow; rich, dark colors; textured or faux Tuscan painted walls

Elaborate window treatments

Family photos

Floral or oversized patterns

Every wall covered with artwork

Too Contrived/Too much staging:

Orchids or other “fussy” plants

A set table

Matching furniture sets

Nearly empty shelves

Cookies baking in the oven during an open house

Why go to all the trouble of staging your home before placing it on the market? According to the Real Estate Staging Association, staged homes stay on the market for an average of 21 days, which is 90% less time than un-staged homes.  Proper staging can also help sellers get a higher offer for their home.

To read the full article by NAR, visit: http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/feature/article/2017/04/staging-for-cozy-minimalist-look#sf68453548

If you are looking to sell your home and would like a real estate expert to help you prepare your home for the market, one of our Oceans Luxury Realty sales team members will be happy to help you! Visit our realtor profile page to view biographies and contact information for our entire team, call 386-236-3700, or visit our sales office at 3162 S Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores. We look forward to helping you get the best price for your home!