OK, here's the question. I plan to reduce the clutter in my home by putting everything in the closet. Do I need to worry about what buyers will think of my overstuffed closets?
Answer. In a word: YES! De-cluttering the house by stuffing the closets is like throwing money away. An overstuffed closet can truly kill a sale.
Closets should be considered among the most important rooms in a home....storage is a big concern with buyers. Buyers want to know that they can live comfortably and that all their belongings can fit. Even if the closets are large, clutter makes them look smaller and gives the illusuon of less space than is really available.
People often stuff their closets with things they don't need anyway. I've seen closets of 40 and 50 year olds filled with t-shirts from high school. Cleaning them out is worth the effort because the more organized you look, the more your buyer will view the home as well taken care of.
Professional organizers agree...if you're planning on moving, now is the perfect opportunity to revisit everything you own. Why would you want to pay movers to move stuff you never use from one place to another especially when there's a good chance it will become a storage problem at your new home.
Too many people are overly nostalgic and have a tendency just to drag along everything they've ever owned. So, here's a simple solution to consider... things you don't really need can be sold on eBay or through consignment shops, donated to charity or thrown away.
That's my 2 cents!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
PAINT IT BLACK
Paint it black! Yep, that's what I said. A coat of satiny black paint can revive tired furnishings and lend a chic, dramatic flair to just about any space. Painting a old piece black immediately updates it.....I use black in my property stagings all the time. It's a great punctuation. It has a graphic quality, provides contrast, and makes a real impact.
Black also works well with many different colors, it also makes surrounding colors POP and melds with any decor from vintage to modern. The key, as always, is MODERATION. Use black as an accent in picture frames, lampshades, accessories and small pieces of furniture.....however, the big black leather couch of the 80's is gone for good.
That's My 2 Cents!
Black also works well with many different colors, it also makes surrounding colors POP and melds with any decor from vintage to modern. The key, as always, is MODERATION. Use black as an accent in picture frames, lampshades, accessories and small pieces of furniture.....however, the big black leather couch of the 80's is gone for good.
That's My 2 Cents!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
STAGING AND SELLING IN THE WINTER
Staging a house can become challenging in the winter when the landscape around the country does not look that great.....dead grass, spindly trees with no leaves, two-tone colors with snow and dirt. In fact, I believe winter time is the toughest time of the year to sell when dealing with curb appeal.
Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may have lots of green and warmth this time of the year --- or you may be dealing with the barren landscape. When there is snow on the ground, it does look pretty (for a while), but as the snow melts, you are often left with patches of dirt, icy or muddy streets and little color in the yard with deciduous trees that have no leaves.
So how do you add that curb appeal necessary for selling when Mother Nature seems to have another plan?
Here are some tips:
* Invest in some annuals or perennials that like cold weather....put them in colorful pots or line the walkway with them. Some of the best annuals for color are pansies, primroses, kale (cabbage) and emerald greens (arborvitaes). Think not just about adding green bushes, but add color with the annuals that will survive in your climate. If you are not sure, consult with your local landscape supplier.
* Add colorful outdoor cushions to your outdoor chairs for drama and appeal. You can add a fireplace to your deck or patio---conveying a cozy fire outside.
Lastly, when the outside is lacking in color, make sure you have plenty of color elements INSIDE your house to balance out the bleak. Use accessories and layers of color to help create that buyer appeal and transition from the outside to inside. If a house is bleak on the outside and the inside has white walls, tan furniture and beige carpet ---its blah and boring.
Use artwork, fabrics, throws, pillows and accent decor that can help create an inviting look for buyers.
Thats my two cents!
Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may have lots of green and warmth this time of the year --- or you may be dealing with the barren landscape. When there is snow on the ground, it does look pretty (for a while), but as the snow melts, you are often left with patches of dirt, icy or muddy streets and little color in the yard with deciduous trees that have no leaves.
So how do you add that curb appeal necessary for selling when Mother Nature seems to have another plan?
Here are some tips:
* Invest in some annuals or perennials that like cold weather....put them in colorful pots or line the walkway with them. Some of the best annuals for color are pansies, primroses, kale (cabbage) and emerald greens (arborvitaes). Think not just about adding green bushes, but add color with the annuals that will survive in your climate. If you are not sure, consult with your local landscape supplier.
* Add colorful outdoor cushions to your outdoor chairs for drama and appeal. You can add a fireplace to your deck or patio---conveying a cozy fire outside.
Lastly, when the outside is lacking in color, make sure you have plenty of color elements INSIDE your house to balance out the bleak. Use accessories and layers of color to help create that buyer appeal and transition from the outside to inside. If a house is bleak on the outside and the inside has white walls, tan furniture and beige carpet ---its blah and boring.
Use artwork, fabrics, throws, pillows and accent decor that can help create an inviting look for buyers.
Thats my two cents!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Decorating Ideas That Go From Fall To Winter
When seasons change and temperatures drop, it's only natural to want to spend more time indoors. So, here are a few ideas to give your home an inexpensive seasonal lift.
First, one easy way to focus your attention on indoor warmth is to rearrange your furniture. Yes, pull furniture away from the walls and arrange around the fireplace (assuming you have a fireplace), to create cozy conversation areas. Bring out extra throws and pillows for added comfort.
Keeping with the warmth theme, try out this idea......drape your dining/family room table with a textured blanket instead of a tablecloth. Drape one blanket so it falls to the floor, add another throw over the top for an additional layer of style. You'll have layers of comfort!
Look to nature for decorating inspiration. Warm up a room with a palette of orange, red, yellow and green -- the colors of the season. They pair equally well with darker wood furniture and with crisp white.
Speaking of winter whites ---- I love using white fluffy or shag area rugs to warm up cold floors.
Decorate your fireplace mantel with dried fruits, nuts, pinecone, group candles and greenery for a seasonal twist. Look for long lasting citrus fruits like limes, lemons and oranges. Add cuts of evergreen branches and space them evenly along your mantel.
Warm up your window treatments by replacing sheers with thicker, floor length treatments for the winter months. (This will also block chilly drafts from your windows). Try hanging curtains over your existing window blinds for an extra layer of style.
Pile up your bedding. Stay warm on cold winter nights with bedding designed to keep away the chill. Go for it! Add layers of extra pillows, blankets and quilts to add comfort in your bedroom. Snuggle up.
That's my two cents.
First, one easy way to focus your attention on indoor warmth is to rearrange your furniture. Yes, pull furniture away from the walls and arrange around the fireplace (assuming you have a fireplace), to create cozy conversation areas. Bring out extra throws and pillows for added comfort.
Keeping with the warmth theme, try out this idea......drape your dining/family room table with a textured blanket instead of a tablecloth. Drape one blanket so it falls to the floor, add another throw over the top for an additional layer of style. You'll have layers of comfort!
Look to nature for decorating inspiration. Warm up a room with a palette of orange, red, yellow and green -- the colors of the season. They pair equally well with darker wood furniture and with crisp white.
Speaking of winter whites ---- I love using white fluffy or shag area rugs to warm up cold floors.
Decorate your fireplace mantel with dried fruits, nuts, pinecone, group candles and greenery for a seasonal twist. Look for long lasting citrus fruits like limes, lemons and oranges. Add cuts of evergreen branches and space them evenly along your mantel.
Warm up your window treatments by replacing sheers with thicker, floor length treatments for the winter months. (This will also block chilly drafts from your windows). Try hanging curtains over your existing window blinds for an extra layer of style.
Pile up your bedding. Stay warm on cold winter nights with bedding designed to keep away the chill. Go for it! Add layers of extra pillows, blankets and quilts to add comfort in your bedroom. Snuggle up.
That's my two cents.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Cheap Dorm Room Decorating Ideas - for the Class of 2016
In all the excitement of starting college, freshman often forget they are leaving behind all the comforts of home. Some are unprepared for sharing things like bathrooms and common room television, no parents to do laundry or bug about homework......no 24/7 kitchen stocked with snacks, no privacy in cramped quarters. These young people will have to settle down - into a bland dorm room.
The dorm room will be a home away from home for a good two-thirds of the year. It should be a place where you can study effectively and provide safe sanctuary from outside stress. Of course, there are a few obstacles to creating the perfect oasis of collegiate bliss. With imagination, the right accessories, a small spaced dorm room can convert into a comfortable retreat from the craziness of college life.
First, freshman should remember two words: storage and stacking. You have to be creative with your space. Don't let cramped quarters cramp your style.
Find out how much furnishing your assigned dorm room already has, so you will know what to bring with you or purchase. Some rooms have less shelving and built-in storage space than others. Upperclassmen recommend for freshmen to bring durable items that will withstand four years of moving.
Since most college students I know are not made of money, finding inexpensive items at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, IKEA, JC Penny, The Container Store or thrift stores are a plus for decorating the dorm room. Here are a few suggestions for making your dorm room a comfortable and stylish place that won't bust your budget.
I recommend that students get online and follow their housing office's Facebook page and Twitter feed. They are often putting out ideas, tips, feeds and information. Students are posting them as well. On the JMU Pinterest dorm board, there are real life DIY solutions you won't find in a catalogue.
The Basics of Bedding
The bed often doubles as a coffee table, couch or study area. One of the first things to pick out is a comforter. Reversible, solid colors are a good choice. Glam it up with fluffy throw pillows, add patterns and bold colors. Continue to accent the bed with quilts, coverlet's, duvet covers and bundles. Don't forget a foam mattress pad. Remember, most college beds are extra long, so regular twin sheets are too short. Check out Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Think Storage
Space is tight. Raise the bed with cement blocks or RackRisers to make space for extra clothes, luggage or books. Buy closet organizers, underbed storage bins, ottomans, hat boxes and colorful plastic crates for shoes, accessories, make-up and don't forget a hanging shoe rack. Purchase cheap plastic hooks to hold a bath robe or jacket or find metal towel holders for the back of doors.
Personal Lighting
Before you fade away under the oppressive glow of fluorescent lights overhead, do yourself a favor and pick up a couple of desk and floor lamps. String lights also work well. There are endless options of funky lighting.
Flooring
Bring color, warmth and design to a cold boring floor........buy an area rug.
Themed Rooms
Themed rooms are a popular approach to making tiny rooms lively. If you're going that route, it's a good idea to get your roomate involved.
Finally, like other homes, the dorm will host visitors. Room decor will not be topic A around campus, but it is the first thing people will notice when they drop by for a visit.
That's my 2 cents. Happy decorating!
The dorm room will be a home away from home for a good two-thirds of the year. It should be a place where you can study effectively and provide safe sanctuary from outside stress. Of course, there are a few obstacles to creating the perfect oasis of collegiate bliss. With imagination, the right accessories, a small spaced dorm room can convert into a comfortable retreat from the craziness of college life.
First, freshman should remember two words: storage and stacking. You have to be creative with your space. Don't let cramped quarters cramp your style.
Find out how much furnishing your assigned dorm room already has, so you will know what to bring with you or purchase. Some rooms have less shelving and built-in storage space than others. Upperclassmen recommend for freshmen to bring durable items that will withstand four years of moving.
Since most college students I know are not made of money, finding inexpensive items at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, IKEA, JC Penny, The Container Store or thrift stores are a plus for decorating the dorm room. Here are a few suggestions for making your dorm room a comfortable and stylish place that won't bust your budget.
I recommend that students get online and follow their housing office's Facebook page and Twitter feed. They are often putting out ideas, tips, feeds and information. Students are posting them as well. On the JMU Pinterest dorm board, there are real life DIY solutions you won't find in a catalogue.
The Basics of Bedding
The bed often doubles as a coffee table, couch or study area. One of the first things to pick out is a comforter. Reversible, solid colors are a good choice. Glam it up with fluffy throw pillows, add patterns and bold colors. Continue to accent the bed with quilts, coverlet's, duvet covers and bundles. Don't forget a foam mattress pad. Remember, most college beds are extra long, so regular twin sheets are too short. Check out Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Think Storage
Space is tight. Raise the bed with cement blocks or RackRisers to make space for extra clothes, luggage or books. Buy closet organizers, underbed storage bins, ottomans, hat boxes and colorful plastic crates for shoes, accessories, make-up and don't forget a hanging shoe rack. Purchase cheap plastic hooks to hold a bath robe or jacket or find metal towel holders for the back of doors.
Personal Lighting
Before you fade away under the oppressive glow of fluorescent lights overhead, do yourself a favor and pick up a couple of desk and floor lamps. String lights also work well. There are endless options of funky lighting.
Flooring
Bring color, warmth and design to a cold boring floor........buy an area rug.
Themed Rooms
Themed rooms are a popular approach to making tiny rooms lively. If you're going that route, it's a good idea to get your roomate involved.
Finally, like other homes, the dorm will host visitors. Room decor will not be topic A around campus, but it is the first thing people will notice when they drop by for a visit.
That's my 2 cents. Happy decorating!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Styling Your Summer Property...Creating The Ultimate Beach Cottage
Why not transform that dull summer house into a beach inspired haven? It's easy and inexpensive to do.
With some clever use of sea shells, beach glass, driftwood, vacation photos and a little paint, you can create an inviting, relaxing cottage haven.
First, clear out the clutter. Cottage style is clean, bright and fuss-free because if you think about it, beaches are simple, wide open spaces - that's where cottage design gets it's inspiration. You want to create an atmosphere that's serene and fresh.
Paint is one of the easiest, cost effective ways to completely change the look of a living space. Choose paint colors such as pale blues, aquamarines, periwinkles, sea-tinged greens, sandy tans and bright whites reminiscent of ocean foam and fluffy cottony clouds. It's clean, fresh and airy.
Window treatments - less is best. Think wooden blinds, plantation shutters or airy sheers.
Floor coverings - Natural or painted wood floors with area rugs. Think organic, sisal and textures.
Lighting - Think soothing versus overly bright or dimly lit. Recessed lighting works like magic in any room.
Artwork - Make use of vacation photos - enlarge some of your favorites. Create a collage.
Beach inspired cottage style is casual, comfortable and fun.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
MOVING, Summer, Winter, Spring or Fall
OK, now that you have properly staged your house with an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) and your realtor has given you the good news that the property has sold and gone to closing....now it's time to move.
If you're moving this summer, the busiest season for relocation, as families take off from work and school, the transition can be daunting. Thankfully, by planning in advance, a professionally staged home can eliminate some stress and delays. Here's why.
1. Staging your home prepared your property for sale and the way you think about the house. You made a mental shift to let go of any emotional attachment and focus on the fact that soon it will belong to someone else
2. Next, you have already de-personalized and de-cluttered. You packed early in the process. You have donated, recycled, gave to friends, put in storage and purged all your stuff. If the property looks like you no longer live there - you are getting close.
3. Now, you can delete the above items from your to-do-list and decide whether you will need full serve, partial serve or do-it-yourself move for the remaining items. Can you do it alone or should you hire a licensed moving company? The answer depends on your lifestyle, budget, household size and amount of time you have to get everything accomplished.
4. Take photos of each room in the new house before you arrive with furniture, plants, appliances and family in tow. Write down where each item should go in your next home and carry it with you on moving day.
5. Moving is not child's play. Plan ahead. Consider daycare on moving day or get help from a friend or family member.
6. Take pictures of electronic hook-ups. Hooking up TV's, DVR's, home theater systems and computers can be challenging. Before unplugging any wires, take a photo of the connection, print them out and label them in detail. Keep track of loose wires using baggies or boxes that are clearly labeled and personally carry these items on moving day.
7. Finally, after you have moved into your new home, call your home stager for ideas to assist you in furniture placement, design and color to achieve that model home look.
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