It is a pretty common misconception that home staging and decorating are the same. Seeing as the fundamentals are the same for both and the result is a beautiful home, it’s easy to see how they get confused.
A Home Stager’s Goal is to Sell
A designer and a home stager have very different goals. A designer comes up with designs and concepts to accommodate the home owner’s personal needs, tastes, and way of life, while home stagers decorate based on the home buyer market. A designer will turn a house into a home for a client and a stager turns a home into a house for a large pool of potential buyers.
Home Stagers Style Differently
Home stagers and decorators approach materials and styles differently. A homeowner usually prefers a mix of pieces in their preferred style, along with some sentimental pieces. A designer will consider the wear and tear on items and the function of the pieces when choosing items for a client.
Stagers depersonalize a space and ensure it appeals to the broadest number of buyers. This usually involves décor and furnishing that are up-to-date and on-trend. We personally tend to carry more classic/transitional pieces when it comes to large furniture items and mix in trending items with art and décor. We also tend to purchase pieces that look good but are more lightweight as they are moved in and out of homes so frequently.
Home Stagers Balance Neutral Design
While designers base selections for paint, finishes, and color palettes for a client’s tastes and needs, home stagers have the added challenge of finding a delicate balance of keeping the design neutral and welcoming for the buyers while working with the existing paint and finishes in the home.
When is the right time to call a home stager?
Home staging is one of the final pieces of the puzzle before your home hits the market, but it is one of the first phone calls you need to make once you decide to list your home.
A home stager can help you determine exactly what needs to be done to prepare your home for market. This includes what repairs offer you the best return and what paint colors to use to update your walls giving those buyers that move in ready look that new builds offer.
Have a question about whether a home staging is right for you? Reach out to us here, and we’d be happy to share our honest advice or get you set up with a consultation.
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