resources

---

The most important and most basic thing one can do when staging a home is to declutter! it may sound too simple, but it will do wonders to show more space and allow the eyes of the buyers to flow in a more pleasant way. Less is more!

Secondly, depersonalize. Buyers want to see themselves and their family in the house, so let them imagine themselves building happy memories in the home they could possibly buy. You will be moving out, so start packing your great memories.

Lastly, highlight the strengths of the house and downplay the flaws. There are many techniques to accomplish that. Let’s talk!

Landscaping and lawn: they are the backdrop for the main attraction: your home!

• Fill bare spots with grass plugs or sod, apply fertilizer and bug killer, and water the lawn frequently.
• Add some color with a flowerbed or two of various annuals. A newly mowed and. edged lawn accented with flowers makes a good first impression. The yard should look clean and green with a few splashes of color.

Improve the appearance of the driveway: it can be as easy and inexpensive as cleaning up oil spills, pressure washing to remove mildew or moving extra cars to another location.

Trash cans, hoses, yard tools and toys should be stored in the garage or a shed.

Clean light fixtures or even replace them, as well as the mailbox. These are

inexpensive items that can make a statement.

Want the most dramatic improvement in appearance for the best value? Paint the exterior of your house, including trim, window frames, shutters, gutters and downspouts, mailbox and front door. Chose neutral shades of white, light gray, or pale beige, which are more universal. If painting is not in your budget, do the trims, shutters and replace the front door.

And for the final touch: a brand-new doormat! After all, with all the work you just did to

spruce up the place, you want buyers to feel welcome.

Clients feeling cramped at home? These tips can help open up a room without knocking down a wall.

1. Accentuate the vertical. Draw the eye upward so a room looks more spacious. Add a bookshelf that reaches to the ceiling. Install vertical shiplap or wallpaper with vertical stripes. Hang a pendant light fixture.
2. Consider “see-through” furniture. Choose chairs and sofas with visible legs instead of furniture with skirts that reach the floor. This allows you to see under and around pieces so they appear to float in the room rather than dominant it. Glass coffee tables are a good choice, too.
3. Lighten up surroundings. We all know white walls reflect light and makes a room look bigger. But why stop there? HouseLogic recommends painting walls, ceilings, and trim the same shade of white to present a soaring, bright space.
4. Go big with accents. Many people think small when designing a small room. Instead, add a couple of oversized accessories, like a big piece of art or a single large chair. A lot of little objects make a room appear cluttered while one or two big ones make it feel more spacious.
5. Get away from the wall. Create a central layout instead of pushing a sofa up against the wall. When there’s a wall right next to a piece of furniture, your eyes are drawn to the wall, which can make the room seem more cramped.
6. Simplify the color scheme. Use a monochromatic color scheme for walls, furniture, and accessories. When objects are a similar color, your eye doesn’t dwell on each one but rather sees them in a unified, uncomplicated form.
7. Skip the curtains. Curtains block natural light and the view to the outdoors, making a room feel smaller and darker.
8. Bring nature indoors. Add plants and use natural textures in furniture to tie indoor decor to the outdoor view that’s visible through the windows that aren’t blocked by curtains.

Sources: Denise Balassi, Spaces of Distinction; Laura Britt, Britt Design Group; Melissa Grove, Laura U Interior Design: HouseLogic.com