See How a Stager Swapped Out “Older, Darker Furniture” to Create a “Clean, Airy” Home
Aside from the visual satisfaction of seeing a home come to life, I love to study before and after images of staging projects so I can learn ways to make my own place look and feel its best. Of course, staging a home to show prospective buyers means making sure it’s universally appealing enough that a wide range of people can picture themselves living in the space. But as I learned when a stager helped me rearrange my home office, many staging principles can apply to even a highly personalized room that’s currently being lived in.
One recent staging project by Global Real Estate Advisor Fiona Dogan of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty highlights the power of staging with minor swaps. In one recent project, she showed the power of brightening up spaces with light furniture edits, and revealed how strategically chosen decor can bring out the very best of every room.
Lighting of all kinds was added.
Whether it’s letting in more sunlight or swapping out darker paint and furniture for lighter options, brightening up a space has a huge impact on the entire look and feel of the home. It’s a change that’s not only universally appealing, but also applicable whether you’re selling a home or just looking to refresh your current living space.
This staging project was no different for Dogan, who always aims to brighten up the homes she’s brought in to work on. “To brighten and modernize this Rye, NY home,” she says, “we removed older, darker furniture, refreshed select rooms with lighter paint colors, and removed personal items.”
The effect not only makes a space feel large and fresh when people walk in, but it also helps the home look its best in pictures, which is most people’s first encounter with it.
Furthermore, the spaciousness gives would-be buyers the room to picture themselves in the home. As Dogan puts it, “These updates helped create a clean, airy environment that photographed beautifully and allowed buyers to envision themselves living in the space.”
The space was edited (and then edited some more).
“‘Less is more” is true when it comes to staging,” states Dogan. Her belief is evident in the way she removes items from the rooms she stages. Again, this is done for both in-person and online viewings.
“Homes photograph best when rooms feel sleek, uncluttered, and thoughtfully styled, similar to the interiors buyers see on real estate TV shows and online,” she explains. “Nearly all home searches begin online now, so gorgeous, bright photography is essential. If a property looks stunning online, buyers are more likely to schedule a showing.”
Dogan gets deeper into the reason that editing a space is crucial when it comes to staging homes for sale. “There’s also psychology behind staging,” she begins. “Today’s buyers prefer fresh, neutral spaces where they can imagine living. Excess furniture, bold decor, or personal belongings, no matter how lovely, distract from a home’s best features and can make rooms appear smaller or darker. An uncluttered, light-filled home resonates with buyers.”
While a space that’s currently being lived in may naturally have more items around than a home that’s being staged to sell, the principle of culling the clutter has an outsized impact on how peaceful a space feels and can be applied any time in any home.
The project helped the home move fast — and for more money than expected.
“Staging is one of the smartest investments a seller can make,” Dogan says, “and it’s a relatively modest upfront cost that often results in a significantly higher sale price and a faster transaction.”
The impact on this home is a perfect example. “This house was listed and sold during the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the market was uncertain and weak,” shares Dogan. “Without staging, it likely would have sold below $1 million. Instead, it attracted strong interest and ultimately sold for more than $200,000 over $1 million.”