My H and I are planning on spending this entire weekend cleaning and staging our home because we have a photographer coming in on Tuesday to take photographs for our listing.
I’m wondering what you ladies think. If you were buying a home, would you want:
A) The home to be staged and very minimalistic—-no personal touches, very minimal decor
B) The home to have deorative elements that are tasteful and enchance the look of the home, as long as the home is otherwise clean and clutter-free
C) Leave the home as-is, clutter doesn’t matter to me because I imagine my own stuff in it anyway
When I look at a home listing’s photos, the first thing I notice is the decor—and if the home is clean, well organized and nicely put together (even if the decor is not necessaily my style) I tend to like that most. I’m more attracted to a home when it’s nicely decorated but I also appreciate an empty home (which is not an option for us).
What do you ladies think? Let me know in the comments below! and OF COURSE I plan to post pictures of how everything turned out with our staging 🙂
xoxo,
Veronika.
B) The home to have deorative elements that are tasteful and enchance the look of the home, as long as the home is otherwise clean and clutter-free
That way, even if it's not exactly your style, you can imagine it better filled with furniture and personal items. I can see better how much space there is, and get new ideas for decorating my new home!
I agree with Mikaela completely! Good luck!
I'd go with B, but try and slim down on some personal touches.
Kristen from Love Lipstick and Pearls
https://lovelipstickandpearls.blogspot.com/
(blogger comments is still being lame)
B) The home to have deorative elements that are tasteful and enchance the look of the home, as long as the home is otherwise clean and clutter-free
I think B for sure. If you had a crazy personal style, then I would think option A- everything should basically be removed. But I think a tasteful simple CLEAN decor can enhance the home.
@kristin—weirdly, I am not able to comment on any blogs that use Disqus 🙁 sorry the comments are messed up!
I think I vote B. I always hear that you should take out all personal things but I don't agree. Pictures of happy people living in your house is good I think as long as it's not over kill.
Option 2 for sure! Some real estate agent like the first option the best… But certainly NOT option 3!! A house should be clean and decluttered.
@josie—we dont have any photos on our walls 🙂 just a few frames here and there which I think will be okay 🙂
I think #2…a home should look lived in but clean and organized. I'd pay special attention to the permanent fixtures that will be staying. Those are what sell me on a house over the owner's personal decor. As long as the paint colors are neutral, the flooring is in decent shape and I can see the overall layout and feel of the house, I can usually ignore things that are not permanent but not my taste.
B! Normally I would say minimalist, but I have seen pictures of your home and your style is very tasteful. I would take down personal photos and have it super clean.
Good luck!
I agree with everyone else. Definitely B) The home to have deorative elements that are tasteful and enchance the look of the home, as long as the home is otherwise clean and clutter-free. Just like Mikaela said, "you can see better how much space there is". Then your buyer can better visualize and get ideas where they would put and arrange their home furnishings.
Good luck with everything!
–Melissa M
Option B.
When I was looking at Condo's, they were either trashed (literally) or empty. It was really hard for me to decide which one I liked because I couldn't picture my things in them. I ended up picking one that was completely vacant based on the overall condition of the place.
B for sure. I'd love to see a decorated house even if it's not my style. I think it just presents the house in a better light. Good luck!
Agreed on B.
I would say B! Can't wait to see pics!
I'm with everyone else…def option B. I think you get a better idea of how your belongings will fit in the space when you see it decorated. Good luck with the staging!!
I'm going to say option B as well. I've had experience helping a friend who owns a staging business and it's definitely helpful to show a home that has some personality (while of course keeping it clean and clutter free). She makes it a point to but paintings and/or photos up on the walls and add little decorative touches on credenzas, bookshelves, etc.
https://www.modernhjem.com/
My vote is Option B!
It's much easier for buyers to imagine their own style when it is decorated as opposed to being too minimal/empty (The only caveat is for those people who have the super retro 80's decor…in which case they should be clean the place out and leave it empty instead haha).
I would say somewhere between A and B. Tasteful decor that enhances the look of each room, and would appeal to most people (no wild colors or crazy looking decor items). I think if you love the way a room looks, you can envision yourself there. If it's too plain, sometimes it's hard to imagine how your stuff would fit in–and if it's too cluttered and messy, it feels overwhelming.
As someone who is in the processing of purchasing a home and has looked at 50+ homes, please keep it quite simple. I don't know how many times I looked more at people's crap than at the potential of the house. But your decor seems quite nice and tasteful so I wouldn't edit too much.
michelynn—any specific advice of what I should avoid displaying? thanks 🙂
I would go with B! I think its good to have some personal touches in the home, because then the potential buyers can envision putting their own personal touches in it. Too much clutter and junk would be not a good thing though.
For me, probably option A. I like an almost blank slate so I can visualize how I'd like things to be. But option B is good, too!
i think your decor adds to the "homey" feel of the house. your decor is tasteful and beautiful, not distracting.
i would snap up your house in a heartbeat!
https://mybeadifullife.blogspot.com/
I'd go with B. If you had bad taste or strange decor, I'd answer differently, but you have amazing style!
Somewhere between A and B. You dont have to go very minimal but definitely keep things simple and remove clutter (even if its part of the decor) and remove personal pictures. If there is too much furniture in a room just remove a piece and keep table and flat surfaces clean.
B – In my real estate class that I took many years ago they mentioned that it's important to remove "personal touches" in your home when you are staging it. (Pictures, diplomas hanging out, anything else that's personal) and to keep any valuables out of sight and in a safe when someone is coming in to look at your home. (that's obvious, I know but some people don't realize it)
The purpose of that is so that when people come in they LOOK at the house and the space and not at pictures and other things that they might have hanging around.
Minimal was also key. The minimal you are and removing any large bulky cabinets or things will help people view the space better and really see it's true size.
We visited the same house twice, once when it was stage poorly and then once when it was redone correctly and the difference was tremendous!
Definitely B, for you. Some people's tastes I wouldn't want to see, or would distract me from the home's quality, and I may be tempted to go with A if I didn't know you. BUT, your home is beautiful so definitely add some decor elements to it, but keep it simple so that others can see themselves in your space as well.
Definitely B, as long as you keep it minimal. Based on what I've seen of your house, I'm sure you'll have no problem keeping it clean and simple. Good luck!
Definitely B! When we were buying our first home, the clean, clutter-free and tasteful decor of the house we ended up buying really helped influence our decision. As long as it's tasteful, current decor it shouldn't get in the way of the buyers' imagining their own style. Clear/clean surfaces in every room, minimal wall decor that is tasteful and simple, clean/simple furniture arranged in a traditional way… that's the way to go.
B. I'm a really visual person and when I look at totally empty houses I just can't picture the setup, where things would go etc. and it puts me off. So long as it's tasteful which from what I've seen, yours is, I'd leave as is.
xjcx
I'd go for A and a half. 🙂 I have been actually looking for a new place for us, so I've been seeing picture after picture. I can't believe how some people photograph their home! Horrible decor and clutter everywhere – yuck! It makes it so much harder for me to think of the house as beautiful – even if it really could be with my stuff inside.
I like a home to be pretty clean with absolutely no clutter, but I think personal touches are fine as long as they're not overwhelming!
I agree with A and a half. I grew up in a real estate family (and will have my own license soon) and it's always best when there are little personal touches (i.e. no photos of you and the hubs and Lulu), extremely clean, and staged with minimal decorating. Tasteful decorating is good, just not over the top.
Somewhere between A and B. I saw a lot of homes when we were looking and their idea of decorative touches…..were not my style. But you have great taste so I say include your tastes!
I'll go with B. I think when a home is too "staged" it seems less like a home. I like to imagine that a happy family lived there and that the home was well loved.
Somewhere between A and B. We sold our house in March and we keep it very simple. Actually the almost only advice we receive was keep it clean, clean, clean. That also help you to start packing.
Get rid of personal pictures, magazines, books, etc
I agree with most here and say B. You want it to look presentable and liveable. Good luck! Can't wait to see the pictures!
Becca
https://beccatm.blogspot.com
A mix of A and B! Clean and not overboard on the personal touches. Minimal pictures (yes I like to see that the people who lived there previously were happy people, I'm very into energy and that kind of thing with houses!) and nice modern decor. I like to see personal touches like decorative pillows on the couches, not people's kids drawings all over the walls… I think thats where it crosses the line.
As a realtor, I always tell my clients to keep the home as clutter free as possible AND to take down any personal photos. This is because potential buyers can't imagine themselves in the home if they are looking at 1-a mess and clutter, they can't visualize their own furniture and stuff in there and 2-they can't imagine themselves in the home if there are personal photos all over the walls! Your condo is so adorable, you're on the right track!
@ just married—we only have a few photos in picture frames but they are NOT on the wall. Just a few wedding pics…it's funny, i always like to see who lived in the house before me 🙂 I will keep a few up but luckily our walls are ALL bare :)!
My wife is the same way, she likes to see how someone else decorated the house and also what the ''story'' behind the house is. Can't wait to see how you stage your home. Good luck!
Veronika,
I wish I would've kept up with reading my blog lists sooner. I'm in the home staging business and could give you some tips based on experiences I've had in the industry.
The answer B is mostly what stagers try to obtain when staging.
Just make sure to remove personal photos.
Make sure you open all the blinds in every room and turn on every lamp and light in the house for the photos and for showings.
Remove things off kitchen countertops leaving only a couple things grouped into one or two corners but try to put bulky items away (ie, knife blocks, spice racks).
Add a little vase with some florals in your master bathroom on countertops if you get a chance. Or grab some bar soap and tie it with a ribbon and place it right next to the sink. Pull the shower curtain back so potential buyers can see the entire bathroom and don't forget to remove everything except maybe one bottle of shampoo and conditioner and a loofah.
These are just all helpful hints but your place looks great and I don't think you left much out. Good luck!