Have you noticed how model home decorators define a theme for each house? They use art and accessories to tell a story about the imaginary people who live there. Imagine an Italian villa: grape vines, olive oil, pottery. Or a country cottage: farmhouse sink, dark fixtures, homey fabrics. Or a hip urban loft: sleek furnishings in metal.
Designers are aiming for the dream that will appeal to a buyer and make them fall in love with a home. They understand that people don’t buy houses, they buy dreams.
If you want to get the best price for your home, copy this technique, it will give you a big advantage over the competition. You don’t need to spend alot of money, just look around the house and see what you can find to tell an enticing story. Then follow the guidelines below and watch buyers fall in love with your house and bedroom.
Lillie and Ed’s Condo
Lillie and her husband Ed, had to move out of their condo when she developed Alzheimer’s. The bed and their personal belongings went with them, and this is all we had left to work with. Click here to read more about Home Organization Tips Declutter Drawers.
Staging Details
- The “bed” is an inflatable Coleman mattress on top of four large plastic bins.
- The art above the bed shows a sunny garden and starts the story.
- The soft greens in the picture define the color scheme.
- Greens in the bedding and the rug carry the garden scene from the picture into the bedroom.
- A sunhat is tossed casually on top of the soft throw on the bed. It’s as if the owner just walked in from the garden into this pretty bedroom.
- Tip: Turn on accent lights, even in daytime, for a pretty glow to your room.
Another Vacant Bedroom and Another Story
This condo sat vacant for several months before it got its “bedtime story.”
Staging Details
- Vettriano’s Dancing Couples art print suggests the story of a young couple dancing the evening away. The bedroom suggests a relaxing cup of coffee in bed the morning after.
- The bed is a Coleman inflatable mattress.
- Two inexpensive parsons tables stand in for night stands ($20 each at Wal-Mart).
- Two matching lamps cost around $20 each.
- Pretty bedding is layered in the same colors as the pictures.
- A tray on the bed with two mugs, a box of gourmet cookies and some fake fruit is a fun touch.
- Tip: Dried black beans or coffee beans suggest the real thing in a coffee cup (1/3 full).
- Add bright red cloth napkins to pop the color scheme.
- Two small vases of geraniums add a fresh touch, also in red.
- Imagine the smile on the buyer’s face as they dream of the possibilities of living in this home.