Home Styling and Staging

First Impressions Count

Home staging is just as important to selling a house as dressing to impress, as first impressions are key. We are the first Plymouth based company to provide this specialist service.

Boost curb appeal. This is something you always hear, and with very good reason. Many people thinking of touring your home will do a quick drive-by first, often deciding on the spot if it is even worth a look inside. Make sure your home is ready to lure in onlookers with these tips:
Power wash your property as in the driveway, concrete slabs, decking etc.
Hang easy-to-read house numbers.
Colourful hanging baskets and pots of flowers .
Mow the garden and reseed.
Wash front windows.
Repaint or stain the porch floor as needed.
Welcome visitors with an inviting entry. Even if you have only a tiny porch, make it say “welcome home” with a clean doormat, potted plants in bloom and if room allows add porch coat stand or tall plant. Keep your porch lights on in the evenings, in case potential buyers drive by. Illuminating the front of your property always adds a homely feel.
Make sure your house is sparkling clean. From shining floors and gleaming windows to clean work surfaces and scrubbed grout, every surface should sparkle. This is the easiest (well maybe not the easiest, but certainly the cheapest) way to help your home put its best foot forward. We can show you the best way to raise your property appeal to the perspective buyer.
Clear away all clutter. If you are serious about staging your home, all clutter must go. It’s not easy, and it may even require utilising offsite storage (or a nice relative’s garage) temporarily, but it is well worth the trouble. Clean and clear surfaces, floors, cupboards and wardrobes this will equal more space in the eyes of potential buyers, so store anything unnecessary or unsightly.
A balance between clean and lived-in is extremely important Yes, I know I just said to get rid of all your clutter but now it’s time to judiciously bring back a few key elements that will really make your home appealing. Think vases of cut flowers, a large bowl of fresh fruit and on the kitchen worktop a bowl of lemons always looks effective.
Take a good look at your floors. At the bare minimum, give all floors a thorough cleaning (and steam clean carpets), but consider having wood floors refinished if they are in poor shape. If you don’t want to invest in refinishing floors, the strategic placement of area rugs can go a long way.
Rearrange your furniture. In the living room, symmetrical arrangements usually work well. Pull your furniture off the walls and use pairs (of sofas, chairs, lamps) to create an inviting conversation area.
Choose sophisticated neutral colours. This doesn’t mean you need to use all white either. Rich mid-tone neutrals create inviting surroundings.
Create a gender-neutral master bedroom. Appeal to everyone with a clean, tailored master bedroom, free of personal items and clutter. You can’t go wrong with clean, crisp linens, tasteful artwork and a blanket folded at the foot of the bed.
Use “extra” rooms wisely. If you have been using a spare bedroom as a dumping ground for odd pieces of furniture and boxes of junk, it’s time to clean up your act. Each room should have a clearly defined purpose, so think about what potential buyers might like to see here. An office? A guest room? Another children’s room? Whether you buy inexpensive furnishings, rent them, or borrow some from friends, making a junk room in to a living space will have a big payoff.
Entice people to explore the whole house. By placing something that draws the eye at the top of the stairs, in hallways or in corners. A piece of artwork, a painted accent wall, a vase of flowers, even a small, colourful rug can all work to draw the eye.
Beware of house odours. If you have pets, get all rugs steam cleaned and be extra vigilant about vacuuming and washing surfaces. Also be sure to keep any extra-loved pet toys and doggie bones hidden when tours are scheduled. If you are a smoker it would be a good idea to smoke away from the house. A thorough cleaning, open windows for fresh air, and an air freshener will help with house odours including strong cooking smells such as fish. Baking smells are pleasent and make a house feel like home.
Create a lifestyle people are looking for.if you have a house in a quiet, grassy cul de sac make good use of a possible swing or a picnic bench this could be the perfect touch.
Stage the outdoors too. Even if you are living in a flat or an apartment and you have a small balcony, dress it up with a cafe table and chairs, a bright tablecloth and even a plant or vase of flowers. When people look at this scene, they won’t be thinking “small”, they will be thinking, “What a fantastic place to have breakfast!”
Think seasonally. Make sure your garden is in beautiful shape in the summer, and that any extra features you have, like a pool or a fire pit, are cleaned and ready to go. Take advantage of the cosy seasons of autumn and winter, by adding the glow of fire lights and lamps.