8 Design Secrets to Steal From Professional Home Stagers

March 6, 2017

When it comes to showcasing your home for sale, you can rely on professional home stagers to do the job. But even if you’re not putting your house on the market, there are home staging tricks that you can use to add pretty in your space.

Design secrets to steal from stagers  when decorating your home

 

1. Start with your front door

When staging, nothing is more inviting than to see a welcoming front door. Picking the right door color can make your home stand out, making it more visually appealing than boring, nondescript doors. Don’t forget to top it up with the addition of colorful potted plants!

2. Match the size of your artwork to the size of Your wall

Art that is too large will overwhelm, on the other hand,  art that is too small and hung too high can make your ceiling look lower. When hanging art over the fireplace,  pick an artwork about the same size as the fireplace opening. If it is going to be hung over a piece of furniture (a sofa for example), it should not be wider than the width of the furniture. As a general rule, art should be about 75% the width of the furniture. By following this, both furniture and artwork will look related to each other.

3. Stick to Neutral Pieces

Let’s admit it, you have to be brave to commit to a red sofa. Most of the time, it is best to go neutral (grays, beige, taupes or whites ) on big furniture pieces especially if you are paying a lot of money for it, and if you intend to use it for a long time. Add color through pillows and throws.

4. Always give  a room a focal point

A focal point is where your eyes rest first in a space. Most of the time it is the fireplace, a big window or a brick feature wall.  If your room doesn’t have it, make your own! Stand in the doorway, look into the room and see where your eyes naturally fall. This is most likely your room’s focal point. Put a large artwork in that spot and arrange the rest of the room around it.

5. Layer your lighting

Lighting can be a decorating touch all by itself. Provide the rooms with a mix of ambient, task, and accent light at a variety of levels instead of having one large glaring light in the middle of the ceiling. This can be achieved by incorporating different light sources like table lamps, floor lamps, pot lights, chandeliers, or task lighting if necessary.

6. Avoid Using Area Rugs in every Room

When home staging, stagers only use rugs to highlight a room, create visual impact or to create an invisible wall to separate two rooms in an open concept layout. Using rugs in every room can be overbearing (especially if patterns are revolting).

7. Go Big on Artwork

An oversized artwork is the easiest way to set the mood and make a statement to any room. Not to mention that it can also bring in color, texture, and the right drama to set the mood. Don’t be afraid, go for it!

8. Stick with Odd numbers

If you put too many accessories on your coffee table, it’ll feel cluttered, but too few makes it feel bare. The perfect quantity for a fool-proof assembly: Always have three items or three clusters of items to style a surface. To add more interest to it, use books or stacked magazines for varying height. It always works!

 

RED BARRINUEVO

Toronto-based, award-winning Interior Stylist, Red Barrinuevo is an Interior Decorator and Principal Designer of Redesign4more Inc., servicing clients in Toronto and the GTA. The firm’s known for enhancing and creating stylish yet functional spaces through their creative home staging, interior styling, and design services. To know more about Red and Redesign4more, visit www.redesign4more.com.