Want to create and decorate rooms that are comfortable and inviting?  Or do you want to highlight special features?  If you’re selling your home, these can serve as great home staging tips that can help you get your home ready to show and put you out ahead of the competition!  Or, if you just want to change things up in your home and give it some polish, try these tips.

Create a focal point in each room

  • Old world fireplace in a living room

    Play up your firplace with art and furnishings

    Play up a fireplace – one of the biggest mistakes people make is covering up their fireplace.  If you have one, try to find a way to arrange furniture so some of it faces this feature.  Even if you don’t use it much, play it up; don’t clutter the mantel or wall above it with too much stuff; keep it clean – put a basket of large pinecones in it if you don’t use it.  A large piece of artwork above helps to draw the eye to it.  Usually a fireplace is the “WOW” factor when you walk into the room, so don’t sell it short!

 

  • Showcase great windows – do you have large, beautiful windows? Do they look out onto a great view?  Frame them with drapes that let in light and let you see out.  There are so many to choose from.  You can spend quite a bit or choose very inexpensive panels.  Each has their own special look.  Remember, these frame your view and set the tone for your room.

 

  •  Display artwork – So many people have nice pieces of art, but they never get around to putting it up.  Instead, they clutter horizontal surfaces with lots of small photos or hang many pictures on the wall.  While you want to see family photos, neutral art will make your rooms look more elegant and upscale.  Put the family photos in lovely albums and put them out on the coffee table.
  • Great room in an upscale condo with home staging

    How to make the most of a large, open room

    Create “zones” that define each space – if you have rooms that serve multiple purposes, define each space so it doesn’t look cluttered.  A common use of space is to make a spare bedroom into an office.  Keep office clutter contained in neat shelves, drawers or baskets and confine it to one area.  The bedroom furniture shouldn’t be piled with papers, books and your extra office overflow.   Use an area rug to help define spaces.  Consider a large one under a dining room table and chairs.  Or mark off the TV viewing area with a rug and leave another space for reading, playing games or relaxing.  You can also divide rooms with shelves that serve double duty – storage and room dividers!