Occupied Home Staging

Our Recent Staging Project | Before & After

Occupied Home Staging

Our 3 Step Prep Process

Home staging is an art that lies somewhere between interior design and sales psychology. A successful home stager will have a working knowledge of both disciplines, a knowledge that is especially put to the test during occupied home staging projects.

Unlike vacant home stages, in which the listings are empty, clean, and unbiased, occupied home staging faces a special set of hurdles. Today we're sharing our simple, three step process for preparing your client's home (or your own home) for a successful staging session.

1.

DE-PERSONALIZE

If the homeowner's identity is plastered all over the listing via photos, sports memorabilia, childhood projects, trophies, taxidermy, etc., these items should be removed. The goal of occupied home staging is to show how, not who.

This means removing kids' names from bedroom walls, tucking away personal notes, schedules, and calendars, and hiding those well-loved toys or blankets.

2.

DECLUTTER

Take a step back and look a each room. What needs to be there to make that room what it is? A bedroom needs a bed, a desk, a dresser, and perhaps a sitting area - nothing more beyond well placed decor.

A living room needs one sofa, a matching chair set, and a coffee table. Unless the space is large, keeping more furniture than this will only make it feel crowded and unwelcoming. Remove all extra furniture items.

As for the other rooms, flat surfaces such as tables, countertops, and islands tend to become catch-alls for everything that doesn't belong. Clearing these spaces will do visual wonders.

3.

DEEP CLEAN

Attempting to sell a dirty or pet-smelling home is like showing up to a job interview unshowered - unpleasant and quite ineffective. Either dive into a deep clean or hire a cleaning company to do the following:

Vacuum and steam floors
Wipe down walls, ceilings, and corners
Dust ledges and shelves
Polish or wipe down furniture
Sanitize appliances
Scrub showers, tubs, toilets and sinks

Not sure if you have time for this? We can help you prepare or refer you to one of our trusted vendors.

"Staged To Sell did an amazing job. I've used several staging companies in the past but Staged To Sell is the best I've worked with."...Robert Joffe, 2018

"I am so glad I found you! You have been an absolute gift in helping me get my home sold so quickly!"...Jill C.-Scottsdale Homeowner

STAGING HIGHLIGHTS:

Cream is In; Gray is Gone Gone are the days of builder's beige, moody gray, or *gulp* greige. Today, cream and pops of bold color are the most popular home staging aesthetics.

STAGING TIP OF THE MONTH

Avoid Scented Candles. Because many potential buyers have chemical sensitivity, it is best to avoid adding more unfamiliar scents to a listing. Showing a clean home filled with fresh air is your safest move.