Home staging is more than decorating, home staging is about illusions. It’s how David Copperfield would sell a house. It’s beyond decorating and cleaning. It’s about perfecting the art of creating moods. Staging makes your house look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, more loving and, best of all, it makes home buyers want to buy it. Contrary to what you might think, it’s about more than preparing the house for sale. Staging is what you do after you’ve cleaned, decluttered, painted, made minor repairs; it’s all about dressing the house for sale.

Here are some secrets from a professional home stager:

• Arrange sparse pieces of furniture in an appealing grouping
• Showcase a generous usage of soft fabrics such as silk, lambswool, satin
• Display unusual knickknacks in units of 1, 3 or 5
• Drape window coverings with simple lines
• Add unique elements to shelving, bookcases and fireplace mantels, which draw attention to predetermined areas

ACCESSORIES TO USE:

• Mirrors
• Plants
• Silk Flowers
• Floor & Table Lamps
• Area and Throw Rugs
• Small Love Seats
• Ottomans
• Pillows
• Inflatable Queen-Size Beds
• Baskets
• Plastic Tables & Chairs

TRICKS & TIPS:

Kitchen

• Apply orange oil to cabinets that appear dry, which will renew their original lustre
• Put out large bowls of fruit such as polished apples, bright oranges, luscious grapes
• Arrange colourful and fun cookbooks on the counters

Bathrooms

• baskets filled with spa treatments
• Towels, tied with ribbons
• Scented soaps
• Creamy lotions
• Moisturizing & Facial jars

HOW MUCH DOES HIRING A PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGER COST?

Fees range from $1000 to $15000, depending on square footage and the number of rooms staged.