Top Ten Staging Tips - #6

First Impressions -
          You only get one chance to make a first impression. 

     This applies to the curb appeal and the entry/foyer of the home.  Does your home blend in to the background or does it stand out from the street.  I hope it's the latter.  I recently staged a home that was one story with red brick, tired white trim and door, and faded hunter green shutters.  We painted the shutters black, freshened the white trim and gave the front door a dark brick red coat of paint.  We added two planters on either side of the front door and filled them with one vertical plant and cascading, colorful annuals.  This home truly "popped" from the curb when it was complete. 

     As you walk through that front door, make sure the first room you enter makes a buyer feel at home.  The photo above is an entry with a warm, welcoming feeling.  It's not cluttered; the light and rug add warmth and the paint color is neutral but warm.  The home previously had a cluttered entry and was covered in dated wallpaper. 
     Another home I recently staged was an older home with a foyer that was filled with kids bags and shoes and one bench.  I left the bench, added a rug under the bench to warm the beige tile and placed a throw and pillow on the bench.  I changed the artwork from kids lovingly painted papers to some lovely framed art.  Since this was a rather large space, I added a console table on the other side with a lamp for warmth and a few choice art pieces the homeowner already had.  The difference was incredible.  A potential buyer could now feel warm and welcomed when they enter. 

     It does not take a lot to make some very important changes.  Please remember that a new paint color can make a huge difference with a very small expenditure.  Take a look at what you already have to work with.  Sometimes, you just need to rethink and repurpose to make a good first impression.