Design Tips
Every home, every room, and every space has their secrets - and these secrets can vary by season! On these pages, Lisa Leonardi (also known as 'The Room Doctor') will share her experience so that you can begin to better utilize the space in your home or office.


Setting the Scene with Staging
By Lisa Leonardi

When selling a home, most homeowners take basic steps to win buyers over, such as making minor repairs, keeping the home tidy, and cleaning up the yard. Nowadays, that may not be enough to acquire a quick sale. Buyers are savvy and selective. They are looking for a home to which they feel an emotional connection. So how can sellers stimulate the buyer’s imagination in order to create those emotional connections?
By setting the scene…

First, grab buyer’s attention before they even step foot in your home. A lovely urn with colorful pansies next to an attractive welcome mat, will surely beckon buyers to the front door. Generate drama in the entry hall by flanking a striking silk flower arrangement with lamps on a decorative table and placing an oriental-style rug on the floor. Add ambiance by lighting the lamps along with an aromatic scented candle to create a warm and inviting feeling.

Showcase your home’s best assets with a little creativity. Use color, lighting, and props to highlight top-selling features such as fireplaces, bay windows, cathedral ceilings, wood floors, and gorgeous views. Even though you may never use your fireplace, pretend like you do. Place white birch logs inside the fireplace and adorn the mantel with matching topiaries or a row of candles to attract buyer’s attention. Next to the fireplace, drape a soft throw over a favorite chair and place a hardcover book on top to give the illusion of a relaxing, comfortable environment. Highlight cathedral ceilings with an attractive ceiling fan in a tone that stands out rather then blends in with the ceiling, or hang an appealing oversized clock at a high point on your wall to draw buyer’s eyes up. If you have great water views or overlook a sprawling lawn with fabulous landscaping, make certain your furniture is situated so that it capitalizes on the view.

Set the scene in the dining room with a table that evokes feelings of cozy dinners enjoyed by family and friends. Embellish the table with pretty place settings, a colorful centerpiece, and glowing candlesticks to make buyers long to entertain in this room. In the kitchen, set a cheerful scene with an open cookbook next to a ceramic mixing bowl and wire whisk. Conjure up memories of Mama’s home-baked goodies by baking some cookies before a showing.

In a pristine master bedroom, a tray placed on the bed holding a cup and saucer next to a newspaper is sure to make buyers feel right at home. Candles and soft, fluffy white towels surrounding the tub in the master bath, will help buyers envision themselves relaxing in this spa-like setting.

Do not underestimate the power of staging. By creating appealing images that will remain in the buyer’s mind, you automatically increase your chances for a speedy sale. So give your home that “wow factor” and buyers will think their house hunting days are over.

Other Design Tip Articles by Lisa Leonardi:

• Increasing Your Home's Resale Value
• Home Staging in a Competitive Market
• Holiday Hints — Preparing your home for the holidays