One of the most rewarding and satisfying parts of staging is comparing the initial state of the home to the end result - in other words, the "Before & After". It's truly amazing how much thoughtful design and furnishings can transform a space, even without any renovations or updating. Today we're going to take a look at some of our most extreme, and some of our favorite, Before & Afters, while sharing staging tips and tricks along the way, enjoy!
COZY COTTAGE
BEFORE
AFTER
What was once a small, dingy space was quickly transformed into a light, bright, and cozy home after staging. This house felt dark, small, and a little drab when we first viewed the property. The drapes were worn and dated, the carpet had seen better days, and it just had an overall beige vibe happening. We knew that with such a small space we were going to have to bring very strategic furnishings and decor. We wanted to make the place feel bigger and more inviting than it was, and the end result did just that! We were able to accomplish this by using light colored upholstered furniture, an area rug that provided contrast, and a round coffee table in order to keep the flow of the space feeling natural and open.
WALLPAPER WONDERLAND
BEFORE: THE OFFICE
AFTER
BEFORE: THE GUEST BEDROOM
AFTER
Okay, to say this house was going to be a challenge to stage was a bit of an understatement. There was wallpaper everywhere, and not just any wallpaper, but very floral and very green wallpaper. Did we mention that the drapes and blinds matched the wallpaper too?! Anyhow, we brought in very neutral furniture and decor pieces in order to add a sense of calm to these spaces, as well as offset the existing colors and patterns. By using white, bright bedding and mindfully styling the office built ins we were able to give each room a major facelift!
MONTECITO MEDITERRANEAN
BEFORE: THE LIVING ROOM
AFTER
BEFORE: THE PRIMARY BEDROOM
AFTER
The bones of this home were gorgeous to begin with, but the home owner's furniture was not highlighting the house's beautiful features. Throughout this space we chose to accentuate the vaulted ceilings by using art to add height and pull your eye upwards. It was an older home and we wanted to be sure to honor that, so we chose not to add anything too modern. By using transitional pieces, as well as some of our favorite vintage finds, we were able to stay true to the home's character, creating an authentic and upscale overall feel.
MODERN & MINIMAL
BEFORE
AFTER
The home owner's were looking to keep with a modern and minimal look when selling their home and we were able to do so by using furniture pieces that all had very clean, straight lines. The hardwood floors in this home were a dark stain and the walls were a taupe-y color, so we chose to lay a neutral rug to brighten and ground the space and keep our accents minimal and bright. We were then able to make the room much more functional by reconfiguring the layout. Not only did this open up the use of the slider doors to the patio, but it created a much better flow, as well as took advantage of the view out of the living room windows. What a difference it made!
It's important to make a great first impression when selling your home, and most times just a little staging will do the trick! These are just a few examples of how far thoughtful design can take you and what an impact it can really make!
XO-
The HHI Team