Staging tips from luxury-home experts
Employ these staging tips from our panel of luxury real estate specialists and stagers to set your listing apart:
1. Original artwork: To give a listing a luxury feel, use original artwork rented directly from the artist. The artists are often very excited to share their work, as a home for sale can give them exposure, said David Cieslak, owner of Signature Staging in Chicago. James Hart, principal of Sold with Style in Bronxville, N.Y., leverages his relationships with art galleries to lease pieces that will have a positive impact on listing photos and showings.
2. Fabrics, finishes and linens: Rich fabrics and luxurious bedding will bring the home to life and enhance the space, said Cieslak. Frances Herrera, president of Frances Herrera Interior Design in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., suggests using high quality linens on the beds and to display plush, Egyptian cotton towels and robes, as well as spa bath products, in the bathrooms.
3. Spotless garage: The walls and ceiling should be painted, floors should be sealed, and there must be ample storage. Replace older metal shelving and beat up cabinets with more-contemporary solutions. At all costs, keep everything off of the floor, said Russ Tybus co-founder of Morris Organizers in Chester, N.J.
4. Highlight the lifestyle: While it's typically recommended that homeowners remove all personal photos, Tybus advices to include select photos from vacation destinations. Photos from ski chalets or tropical locations serve as a subtle reminder that the next owner could enjoy these same experiences and the home will not be an anchor to tie them down. Herrera suggests displaying lifestyle cocktail books that relate to the region of the property, tropical destinations or luxury hotels.
5. Non-matching furniture: One characteristic of high-end homes is that furnishings rarely match. While the furniture will always complement each other, professional designers will rarely decorate with sets, such as a sofa with its matching chair, loveseat and end tables. When staging a listing, Hart advises using integrated materials and styles that blend to create a cohesive space.
6. Outdoor spaces and views: Park City, Utah-based, Karin Gage, associate broker with Summit Sotheby's International, said to play up the season when selling. During winter months have the hot tub warm and working and the fire pit on and crackling. Herrera said, homebuyers aren't buying the space as they see it, but for its perceived value. Buyers perceive value in two ways — location and size. Use light and furniture layouts to your advantage to make the space appear as large as possible.