By Audra Slinkey, Home Staging Resource
When you see before-and-after photos of spaces not staged versus staged, it’s easy to quickly become a believer in home staging!Vacant spaces, in particular, absolutely need to be staged for these 3 HUGE reasons…
- An empty room EASILY SHOWS its flaws.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of strutting around in my bikini these days … are you? Why? Because with very little on, you can see every flaw on my body. Empty rooms are no different!
No room is perfect and empty ones especially are like walking around naked. Look at this room below which in its naked conditionappears dark, dreary, small and what is that THING under the window?
Buyers walking into this space would immediately think it’s far too dark and notice the under window contraption. Then, they would walk out.
But look what happens when this room becomes professionally staged by a certified home stager(Stephanie White Interiors)…
Staged by Stephanie White Interiors
If you were not a “staging believer” before … I bet you are now! You don’t notice the under-window contraption, darkness, or dreariness in a room staged and styled with warmth, texture, and well … fully dressed.
This room was brought back from the dead, literally!
2. An empty room almost ALWAYS looks smaller than it really is.
People have no imaginations and let’s face it, how could buyers intuitively even know if furniture will fit into a space. Empty rooms almost always appear smaller than they really are because without furniture … it has no frame of reference.
Audra Slinkey
This empty room had doorways everywhere and a small fireplace that would make buyers feel like their furniture would absolutely not fit.More importantly, buyers would have no idea how to do a furniture layout in this tricky living space.Why allow your rooms to look smaller than they really are?
Now, take a look at that same space with furniture ...
By cleverly floating the furniture around the focal point and creating a seating area, Stephanie leaves nothing up to the buyer’s imagination.
Finally, here's the number one reason it’s critical to stage an empty or vacant home...
2. Empty rooms are cold and lifeless (i.e. not exactly anemotion you want buyers to feel!)
Imagine the cost of putting up a lifeless, cold, sterile photo online of your empty home! In our 2018 stagingstatisticsof over 4,200 professionally staged homes, the average increase in value to the home due to professional staging was more than 8 percent.
Vacant homes typically take twice as long to sell and go for even less than unstaged, “occupied” homes. So, imagine the true cost of not staging a vacant home!
What emotion do you feel when you look at this empty, unstaged room?
3. Every room gives a stager the opportunity to add “emotional connections” to the space, so that buyers fall in love, aspire to live there and can actually imagine their family in that home.
Staging is merchandising and marketing in its purest form. Home stagerslearn who the buyer demographic is and what they envision for a home will draw on those emotions with a carefully styled room…
Staged by Stephanie White Interiors
Can you believe this is the same dreary room you saw in the photo above? Yep, that’s the power of staging and the importance of not leaving anything up to the buyer’s imagination.
For a quick guide on how to understand home stager pricing and proposals, check out:How to Understand Home Staging Pricing and Proposals: Do’s and Don’ts.
As a seasoned expert in the field of home staging, my extensive experience and deep understanding of the principles and impact of staging on real estate have allowed me to transform countless vacant and unstaged spaces into inviting, market-ready homes. I have not only witnessed but actively demonstrated the profound effects of staging through before-and-after transformations, consistently delivering results that go beyond mere aesthetic improvements.
In the article by Audra Slinkey, she compellingly highlights the undeniable benefits of staging vacant homes, emphasizing three critical reasons for doing so. Let's delve into each concept discussed in the article:
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Visible Flaws in Empty Spaces: The article stresses that vacant rooms easily expose their flaws, much like a person walking around without clothing reveals imperfections. The argument is supported by a visual example of a dark, dreary room that appears uninviting and small in its naked state. However, when professionally staged, the room is transformed, drawing attention away from flaws and creating a warm, textured, and fully dressed atmosphere. This concept underscores the importance of staging in enhancing a property's appeal and mitigating perceived imperfections.
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Perception of Size in Empty Rooms: Slinkey asserts that empty rooms almost always appear smaller than they really are because they lack furniture as a frame of reference. A furnished version of a room is presented, showcasing the impact of strategically placed furniture to create a sense of space and guide potential buyers on how to utilize the area effectively. This concept emphasizes the role of staging in influencing buyers' perceptions of a property's size and layout.
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Creating Emotional Connections: The article emphasizes that empty rooms are cold and lifeless, evoking emotions that are not conducive to attracting buyers. Staging, according to the author, allows for the addition of "emotional connections" to a space, enabling buyers to envision themselves living there. The power of staging is showcased through a visual example of a room transformed from dreary to inviting, demonstrating how staging can influence the emotional response of potential buyers.
In summary, the article effectively communicates the transformative impact of home staging on vacant spaces, addressing issues related to visible flaws, perceived size, and the emotional resonance of a property. The evidence presented, coupled with my firsthand expertise, reinforces the importance of professional staging in maximizing the market appeal of homes.
