It turns out that while neutral paint and decluttering your home are key in prepping a space, there is so much more to staging than you might realize. A super clean house is key for staging, but even that can’t save you from feeling visually cluttered. When designing a room, consider how your furniture placement dictates exactly how you move through your home. “Placing a sofa perpendicular to the doorway to an adjoining room can visually lead people ahead,” explained Lesley. “While positioning it parallel to the opening can create the sense of a barrier.” These details have the added benefit of giving prospective buyers the chance to “[look] forward to the experiences they will have.” But even if you’re not selling, this is a great way to enhance a space while allowing room for small changes and updates all year long. “Rich, cozy color palettes with lighter accents are ideal for the cooler months, but I move toward lighter colors across the board in spring,” said Lesley. Luckily, it’s a common problem with a fairly easy solution. “Many homes, especially historic ones, have wood floors, wood cabinets and trim, and wood furniture… all in different shades. It can be an overpowering amount of the same material! So, I’ll paint the walls or cabinets a light color to neutralize the overall look.” “In situations like this, it’s all about softening the angles. I like to add circular coffee tables, round mirrors, and plush furniture with organic shapes. It creates a great balance.” “Clean up your landscaping, [give] your front door a fresh coat of paint, and be bold with color. [Add fresh] mulch, trim the garden, add some flowers or a potted plant and change the door hardware if needed.” If you prefer a moody space, you can still create a more welcoming vibe. For a “darker, cozy feel,” said Rose, “just removing some oversized furniture can make a room feel more airy, giving it a more open feel. Lighten up the rug color and some light-neutral accessories.” This doesn’t just apply to large-scale rooms. “If you have small spaces, lighten up the color to create the illusion of more space. Make sure the ceiling is not dark as this closes in the feel of the tight space. Remove dark draperies and let the sunshine in. LED lighting is king.”
