If you think that home staging and home decorating are the same, you’re not alone. I, too, at one time used to think they were the same thing— but I learned later on that there are actual differences between them. In fact, not being clear on their definitions can influence how quickly you sell your home.
The Shift Comes With the Intent to Sell
Once you make the decision to sell your home, a shift occurs. Your home is no longer a home but rather a house on display for others to see, with a goal of selling a lifestyle. What’s important to understand, however, is that the lifestyle that’s being sold might not necessarily be your own.
What does that mean? Well, it means that people have varying tastes and what looks good to you doesn’t always look good to others— and essentially, this is the distinction between home staging and interior decorating.
Home Staging
Home staging is a branch of the design industry that aims to highlight a home’s best features so you, the owner, can sell quickly at the best possible market price. While many homeowners are fully capable of decorating, staging a home is an art that is often best tackled by a professional.
Why is that? Well, a home staging professional will have expertise in interior decorating that as well as the ability to dress a home to sell. The ultimate goal is to create a haven where someone else can envision living there. Ultimately, potential owners are looking for a home that is welcoming, functional, peaceful, and organized. This means the home must be tailored as such.
But does staging a home really matter? According to the National Association of Realtors, it does. In fact, 40% of buyers’ agents cited that home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home and 83% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.
If for whatever reason, hiring a professional home stager just isn’t feasible, you can certainly give it a try yourself. Here are some ideas on how to make it happen:
- Cut back the clutter to minimize distraction
- Scale back your decorating style so it appeals to more people
- Try to create a calming space with a simple color scheme
- Freshen up any dated wall and furnishing colors
- Arrange furniture aesthetically
- Simplify the sentimental touches
- Keep finishes on fixtures neutral and classic
- Showcase cool architectural features
Remember, staging is creating a space that lets potential buyers imagine how it can suit their style. In order for them to do this, they need to see your home as a blank canvas rather than as a reflection of the current residents. Although being objective about your home and depersonalizing it can be challenging, it’s crucial if you want to sell it quickly and for your ideal asking price. If all else fails, talk with your realtor. He or she can often help with the staging process, or at the very least, put you in contact with a staging professional.
Home Decorating
Home decorating, on the other hand, deals with the look and feel of a room with the goal of transforming the space to suit your personal style. This is achieved through the use of accessories, window treatments, artwork, and more. If you hire an interior decorator, you will spend time working closely together selecting color schemes, talking furniture placement, and accessorizing the place in ways that reflect your unique taste and personality.
Not everyone, however, hires a professional— or needs to, for that matter. Granted, a professional interior decorator can really help find solutions to problems you might not be able to solve on your own, but that doesn’t mean it’s your only option. Often times, you can do most of the decorating yourself, only hiring a professional for the parts of the job you need help with.
Whether Staging or Decorating, We Can Help
Regardless of whether you’re staging or decorating your home, it’s likely you’ll need some fresh upgrades. That’s where we come in. As you tackle that home project, consider adding custom pillows or a beautiful area rug for your pops of color. We have a variety of fabrics that can appeal to a variety of design styles. Stop by one of our showrooms to let us help you get started!
