There's a saying in the Navy that goes, "If it doesn't move- paint it gray." In staging sometimes we say, "If you can't move it -hide it!"
It"s true; sometimes there is not enough time, not enough space, or not enough energy to completely unclutter your home to be ready for sale. After all-you do have to live there and it is hard to get everything done to complete perfection. So what's a person to do? Hide it! Of course a completely uncluttered home is the ideal but we deal in realities. Do what you have to do to give your home visual space. But there are rules: you can't hide things where people will look and you can't hide things where it isn't safe. I'll let you in on a few staging secrets to effectively hide what you can't move right away.
Great Hiding Places:
*Under the couch- a great place for boxes, bundled magazines, photo albums, picture frames, silverware storage boxes, etc. Use only on couches with skirts!
*On the back of closet doors you can hang a shoe organizing bag or belt rack.
*Place decorative clothes hamper in each kids room ¡V good for toys or clothes.
*Vacuum bags ¡V these are great to minimize bulky items like comforters, sweaters, blankets. Attach your vacuum to these plastic bags removing air and thus decreasing the size of space needed for storage. These are available at places like The Container Store.
*Decorative cardboard boxes- available at Ikea. If you can¡¦t possibly sort and store the things in your closets- contain and disguise them in these cardboard boxes. It"s much easier on the eyes. Try to remove everything from the top shelf.
*Blanket chests at the foot of the bed or as a coffee table. Hide games, paperwork, collectables, and even extra blankets! You can find nice wicker chests at places like Ross, Pier One, and Home Goods.
*A decorative screen in the corner of the living room or bedroom can add interest to the room and a great place to stack computer paper boxes filled with important papers or just about anything.
*Kid's rooms should have a clothes hamper, toy box, or rattan chest for stashing their "stuff".
*The Attic! Great place for almost anything- it's the last place people venture into.
*The garage- once again if you can't possible remove it -Contain it! Box up everything, label, and place it on the shelf.
*Night tables, end tables, and guest room dressers are all fair game. It's a private space and is off limits to prying eyes.
*Use tiered hangers for hanging skirts and slacks to make your closets look more spacious.
*A great place to store extra sheets is between the box spring and the mattress. Fold them lengthwise. You'll free up closet space- one of our main goals!
*Keep your bathroom vanities clean and clear. Use a zippered pouch for your make-up for a quick getaway in the mornings. With everything in one bag, you can throw it under the sink and go.
Against the rules:
*Don't hide anything in the oven¡ - unsafe and people do look.
*Ditto the dishwasher- same reason.
*Don't stuff closets full - it gives the house a feeling of being too small.
*Storing all extra coats in the coat closet¡Xif ever a closet needed to be empty it's the coat closet- they always look.
*Medicine cabinets and bathroom vanities are not good places to hide things. They really should be private but buyers want to look for water damage under the sink and they do open medicine cabinets. Your prescriptions should be stored elsewhere. Under the sink is a good place for neatly folded extra towels. It looks nice and frees up hall closet space.
Now that your house looks uncluttered, you can breathe easier. You will make a better impression on perspective buyers who can now concentrate on your home and not on your stuff. And now you can more leisurely begin the process of sorting, discarding, storing, and possibly selling some of those things you so cleverly hid. And if you have time for painting- all the better!
Call me. I can help make sure your home is market ready.
Sandy Gardner
sgardner@commonwealthstaging.com
www.commonwealthstaging.com |