True staging is about showcasing the property at its best, not the furniture!
Staging can sometimes get a bad wrap. Stories abound about the person who paid tens of thousands of dollars to stage his/her property with exquisite furniture and lavish accessories. The punch line usually includes commentary about the extravagant and costly nature of staging, and how it applies primarily to exclusive mansions and high-end residences. Unfortunately, that story can often trigger the opposite response in cost-conscious property sellers. These individuals, with limited resources and intimidated by the concept of staging, then scrap the whole idea of "outsourced" staging by trying to do it themselves.
Neither alternative represents a logical economical solution. The key is to professionally stage, but to do it cost-effectively. Good staging is about presenting the property in its proper context, in a natural way, and by highlighting its positive characteristics.
To over-stage the property is to fill it up with (sometimes high-end) furniture, artwork, and accessories that may indeed impress the buyer, but not necessarily showcase the property itself. Additionally, too much furniture can actually make a room appear to look smaller. With space at a premium, it can detract from the property's attributes. The result is that the property may get lost in the process, and overpowered by the furniture . . . and all at a significant cost to the seller.
Conversely, for the frugal "do-it-yourselfer" who avoids the initial out-of-pocket staging cost, but lacks the artistic skills to create visual appeal, the end result may be equally disappointing. Design is an art, and without those intangible touches and details that make the difference, the property may not engage the attention and emotion of potential buyers.
Effective staging is just like an enticing recipe - it is not about the ingredients, but how they are properly mixed and carefully blended to create a memorable experience for our senses. Staging in an artistic manner can help the property show its best to create visual and emotional appeal. . . . which helps sell the property.
Neither alternative represents a logical economical solution. The key is to professionally stage, but to do it cost-effectively. Good staging is about presenting the property in its proper context, in a natural way, and by highlighting its positive characteristics.
To over-stage the property is to fill it up with (sometimes high-end) furniture, artwork, and accessories that may indeed impress the buyer, but not necessarily showcase the property itself. Additionally, too much furniture can actually make a room appear to look smaller. With space at a premium, it can detract from the property's attributes. The result is that the property may get lost in the process, and overpowered by the furniture . . . and all at a significant cost to the seller.
Conversely, for the frugal "do-it-yourselfer" who avoids the initial out-of-pocket staging cost, but lacks the artistic skills to create visual appeal, the end result may be equally disappointing. Design is an art, and without those intangible touches and details that make the difference, the property may not engage the attention and emotion of potential buyers.
Effective staging is just like an enticing recipe - it is not about the ingredients, but how they are properly mixed and carefully blended to create a memorable experience for our senses. Staging in an artistic manner can help the property show its best to create visual and emotional appeal. . . . which helps sell the property.
Copyright 2011 Janistyle, Inc.