Staging is a process of prepping each part of a house before selling it. The purpose of this is to make a house more appealing to potential buyers. Each part of the house has a different purpose and comes with different sets of challenges. Proper guidelines have to be followed to make the staging process work.
We are coming up with a series of posts for staging a house and in this first post, we have explained about the staging of a living room.
De-clutter
People like to add a personal touch to their house. What works for one will not work for others. For example, one might like to decorate the living room with various design elements but someone else would like to have a very minimalistic approach. Therefore it is better to declutter the living room which gives an opportunity for the visitors to visualize the living room according to their wishes. Big family portraits, decorative lamps, extra chairs are a few things you can consider removing from the living room while staging.
Add specific details
Decluttering is important, yes but at the same time, it is important to add some details to make the living room look pleasant and inviting. Adding a neutral colored rug can easily elevate the look of the living room. Usage of plants can also give a pleasant look but make sure you don’t overdo it. If you have dedicated places for things like books, remote controls, key chains, virtual assistants, etc make sure to use those spaces. Try to go with light colors for cushion covers, curtains, and throws which are aesthetically pleasing.
Furnishing
“A well-staged room has a singular definable purpose and a focal point,” says interior designer Susan Anthony of Susan Anthony Interiors. “The purpose of a living room is to socialize, so the seating should encourage sitting and talking.”
Furnishing can make or break a living room. As mentioned in the above quote by Susan Anthony, the furnishing in the living room should emphasize socializing. Overdoing the furniture might affect the aesthetics and purpose of the living room, under-doing it might leave visitors clueless. Make sure to bring a balance and work around the focal point of the living room.
Lighting
Lighting is an important factor to consider while staging a living room. Try to make the best use of natural light. Keep the windows open or keep the curtains open so the natural light can flow inside. If the natural light is very limited, use artificial light but make sure it is not very stark. The idea here is to have a good amount of light which will elevate the living room without looking artificial.
Go with the flow
Though we are basically staging the living room with changes and adjustments, we have to make sure it is not forced. If we are not following the flow of the living room, the staging will look very artificial. There should be enough space to walk around the living room and the seating area should be easily accessible. Any kind of props or modification that obstructs the flow should be avoided.
