Naomi

Must-Have Home Staging Stock

October 17, 2019 by Naomi

When you reach a certain point in your home staging business, acquiring stock and inventory is an essential step up.

Purchasing this stock might seem like a bit of a leap, and depending on what stock you purchase, it might be.

However, if you are smart about what and how much stock you purchase, you could improve your overall home staging business.

Create a Sanctuary — Image via Style Curator

When it comes to stock there is typically two types: soft furnishings and hard furnishings.

Soft furnishings include items such as pillows, linen, lamps and small accessories. The way I like to think about soft furnishings is that I could pack them all in a box and put them in my car.

On the other hand, hard furnishings are big items such as lounges, arm chairs, dining tables, coffee tables, and so on. These are the items that can’t be packed and loaded single handedly.

Logically, soft furnishings should be acquired first, then later down the track hard furnishings can be acquired. It’s important to be able to consider what sort of stock you should have now!

SOFT FURNISHINGS

When it comes to soft furnishings, the items below can be purchased relatively cheaply and in bulk.

Pillows: Purchasing pillows that work well in a wide range of environments is a great way to get the most out of your money. Choose pillows in a few colours and designs so they can be used on their own or grouped together.
Faux flowers and plants: Faux flowers and plants are great when the right ones are purchased because they can look amazing and used in a range of spaces and styles. Plus they last a long time!
Books: Theses can be purchased from an op shop and are a great way to add texture and create a ‘lived in’ feeling to any space. These are the most cost-effective soft furnishings and can be used in any environment, from a study, bedroom, lounge room or even an outdoor setting.
Knick-knack accessories: These are small accessories that can be used in a variety of environments – anything from vessels, small bowls, candle holders, or any other small accessories.
Linen packs: This isn’t absolutely necessary, but having coverlets and toppers can transform a room from something dull to something amazing.

229f1da3e9e8b569b0beceee69dce779 — Image via immyandindi.com.au

HARD FURNISHINGS

As for hard furnishings, these items are more expensive so it is beneficial to go for quality over quantity.

Mattresses: Often clients do not have enough beds to show off the best use of the space, or they have moved and have taken their mattresses with them so these are a must!
Dining chairs: Not all dining chairs go with tables, or look good with them, so having some neutral dining chairs that work with a range of colours is a great idea so you can use the clients dining table.
Bedside tables: Bedside tables have the potential to open up the bedroom and transform the space into something amazing. Having bedside tables that are unique, yet work well in a variety of environments is essential.
Lounges: Lounges can easily begin to look old, worn and unpleasant when they’ve been used for years. Having lounges in stock that are a neutral colour are a great idea as they can be used in a range of different styled homes.
Coffee tables: Coffee tables are a great way to show off the space in a lounge room and add an element of homeliness to the space. Not everyone has a coffee table, and if they do it might be old and worn. Having new, coffee tables as part of your stock can transform a space.

5512a478c1edcd04581dc6e05593f575 — Image via southernliving.com

New Ideas for Your Home Staging Business

October 10, 2019 by Naomi

Figuring out how to stay above your competition can be difficult. Do you drop your prices? Do you become more like your competition? Do you change your core business structure?

The great news is that you don’t have to do any of the above!

In the age of technology, you can do a million and one things to switch up your business and create a unique element of interest that sets you above other home stagers in your area.

All that you have to decide is what ideas you are going to pursue! Here’s some to get you started:

Create a YouTube channel

It’s no secret that YouTube is the place to be at the moment. Creating a YouTube channel where you can give home staging advice, film the process of staging a property (you will need to get your clients permission for this), film your day to create a ‘Day in the Life of a Home Stager’ vlog or even just discussing key topics in the industry is a great way to promote your business, earn some extra money and create a whole new business venture.

Start a blog

This is just the written version of a YouTube video. Blogs are a great way to engage your audience and to share advice and your thoughts.

Warehouse tours

We know home staging involves a lot of storage and everyone stores things differently. Join up with some other local home stagers and host a warehouse tour on a weekend to allow for maximum creative flow, new ideas for storage and in turn bring the community closer together.

Create an online op-shop

it is inevitable that home staging businesses have a reasonable amount of stock turnover.. Instead of just throwing these pieces away, you can put them online. This can be connected to your home staging business website and act as a side project. Whenever an item of stock wont be used again just post it on the op-shop for someone else to buy. You can label the stock as pick up only between certain times. This is a great way to regularly clear out old or broken stock to make way for new items.

Host regular home staging meet ups

It is of utmost importance to have positive relationships with other home stagers in your area. Hosting a meet up every few months will allow for a community to form where you are able to discuss local issues in the home staging community and create other events such as educational events and charity events.

Why is Defining the Function of a Space Important?

October 3, 2019 by Naomi

When someone moves into a new property, one of the first things they think is ‘what will I use this space for?’

Some spaces are obvious…the kitchen is for cooking, the bedroom is for sleeping, the lounge room is for watching television. But as home stagers, we know there’s so much more to it than that!

The spaces we create don’t necessarily have to be practical for day to day living. By that, I mean we don’t need to include a ‘play room’ for kids or a spot for all the shoes at the front door.

It is important that we hold onto the hopeful mentality that buyers have and create a space that would be used in an ideal world (without the clutter!)

So, why is it so important to define the function of a space as a home stager?

Image via amberinteriordesign.com

When an empty property is put on the market, potential buyers are likely to become overwhelmed over the prospect of what they will use each space for. What room is better for a teenager and what one for a preteen? Should there be two living spaces? Is there enough room for a study space or home office?

Similarly, when a property is put on the market without professional property styling and using the seller’s current layout, the property is less likely to appeal to the buyer. Leaving the property in it’s original state will create elements of clutter and uncertainty about what space is to be used for what. This is because we adapt to how our families use a space and often don’t notice that there is anything out of the ordinary about this.

This is where the magic of home staging comes in.

When staging a property, it is up to the home stager to determine what a space is best used for. If there is an awkward space between two bedrooms, a home stager may place a study desk there. This is something potential buyers might not have thought of doing, but seeing the desk there allows for the space to seem larger, and like the desk was always supposed to go there.

Image via cocolapinedesign.com

The accessories and furniture home stagers use allow for a space to have a clear and obvious activity attached to it. The items in the bedroom show that the space is used for sleeping, and the same goes for the lounge room, study space and kitchen. Doing this allows for potential buyers to see the size of the space, as well as the ideal activity to be done in the space, creating a homely and ‘I could live here’ atmosphere for all potential buyers.

Image via myscandinavianhome.com

5 Ways to Connect with Real Estate Agents

September 27, 2019 by Naomi

Stylists versus real estate agents—it’s not a boxing match but a partnership, so why the adversarial relationship?

Many of the students here at the International Institute of Home Staging are unsure and even a little scared about connecting with real estate agents. This can be for a number of reasons, primarily because they can be intimidating, but also because agents have a lot of power when it comes to engaging a home stager or property stylist. If the agent is hard to catch or simply not interested in pre-sale styling, it can be an uphill battle for stylists to get a foothold in the property industry.

There are a couple of simple reasons why an agent may reject your services: either you’re not approaching the agent in the right way, or you’ve not done the research to find the agents in the right places. Having just one agent on board can change your business in a very small time frame!

Here are five ways you can successfully connect with agents.

Be proactive and responsive

Do your homework and select agents that you believe will be open to having their portfolio of properties styled. If you’re particular about who you work with, try to get to know how they interact with colleagues, contractors and clients before you make your approach. Take the initiative when it comes to the stager-agent relationship and always be open to the agent’s needs when they do decide they want styling, including integrating their feedback into your work.

Be the ultimate communicator

Polish your communication skills and you’ll be able to identify and match the communication style of the agent you are dealing with. Some agents are direct and you may need to be clear and straightforward in your dealings with them; for others who communicate in a less direct manner you may need to coax out what they really want from your correspondence or conversations with them. People like it when they are being heard and understood—be that person.

Show them the benefits

Agents may not know the value of a stager, so make sure when you approach them to be clear on what you do, how you do it and what’s in it for them and their clients, the property sellers. If you have a portfolio of past work, a visual example may be the best way to demonstrate the value you bring. Support your pitch with data regarding return on investment (ROI).

Stave off concerns

Whether through false assumptions or bad experiences, some agents have misconceptions about the staging process and what it entails. Combine your communication skills with your value proposition to explain the staging process, to demonstrate that it won’t slow down the timelines greatly and to emphasise that it will yield a better result.

Be professional

Professionalism goes a long way to create a good impression. Dazzle them with your confidence, styling skills and property knowledge. Always be polite and gracious, even when handling a rejection or feedback; the real estate industry is a close-knit community and word will get around about how you are to work with, so make sure the right message is sent.

Have you tried other successful ways of working with agents? Leave a comment and let us know your tips!

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Home Staging Experience

September 20, 2019 by Naomi

When you are preparing to put your property on the market, chances are you want the best price possible right? Of course!

This usually means hiring a home stager to give you the best chance at getting the highest return. You can choose to have your property completely staged (if you are planning on removing all your furniture prior to inspections), or you can opt for partial styling.

Now, if you want to use home staging to your fullest advantage, there’s a few things you should do before having a consultation with your property stylist.

1. De-clutter

De-cluttering your property is a must before it goes on sale and before you have a consultation with a home stager. Remove the stacks of DVD’s, CD’s, and bookshelves stacked high with odds and ends. All the things you have been meaning to clear out and anything that doesn’t have a spot must be sorted. Not only will this help in the moving process but it will instantly make your property feel more spacious and fresh!

b363605415be4c504ab6c930559cc457 — Image via apartment34.com

2. Remove valuables and images

You don’t want your valuables to be damaged during the sale process. If something is special to you but it does not go with the theme of the property, removing it prior to a home stager coming in is a good idea so someone else doesn’t have to tell you to remove it. Similarly, removing images is a must! Potential buyers don’t want to feel like they are walking through someone else’s property so family photos are unnecessary.

3. Remove toys

Even if you are living in the property during the sale process, limiting the amount of toys used to a small box that can easily be packed away in the car during open homes is a great idea. Toys are not necessary when displaying a home as a family home. Not only that but toys in the home during open houses make the property feel as if it is someone else’s and potential buyers cannot fully imagine themselves living in the space.

2b6488ed9394703e9e765d7a8c9218cc — Image via mydomainehome.com.au

4. Yard cleanliness

Keeping your yard in immaculate condition during the sale process is of utmost importance! Street appeal is the first thing that draws a buyer in so ensuring that the yard looks well-kept, with trimmed hedges, cut grass and clean footpaths is absolutely essential!

af6f6323ff2fc3883b5f95223dc1abd2 — Image via homestolove.co.nz

5. Be open

There is no point hiring a stager if you are going to shut down every idea they have. Good home stagers are experts in design and the real estate market, which means they know what sells and what doesn’t. If you hire a stager but then rearrange everything as soon as they leave, then the whole process was a waste of your time and money. The property design does not have to be to your personal taste, or even to the personal taste of the stager, it just has to be that of the market.

Do these things combined with the guidance of your property stylist, and you’ll see your property selling faster and for more money!

Faux or Real Plants in Home Staging?

September 12, 2019 by Naomi

Today, as I always say, I’m going to give you my perspective and a little bit of the experience that I’ve undertaken in my years in home staging about a specific topic.

You can thread from that what works for you, what agrees with you and what strikes a chord in your business and then make decisions about how you want to move forward from there.

Today, I want to talk to you about faux or real when it comes to flowers and plants.

In my home, to be honest with you, I only allow real, living plants and flowers and tree and nature.

But, in home staging, it is a little different. The community is a little divided on it, whether to use faux or whether to use fresh.

There are obvious difficulties when it comes to using fresh flowers, especially if it’s a vacant property. I’ll give you a bit of an insight as to what we do here and you can take from that what you need for your business.

In all vacant properties, unless they’re in the prestige price bracket, we often use faux plants and faux flowers.

Purely for the reason that rarely does someone have the budget and is able to afford us continually going back to the property every week or every two weeks to refresh the flowers, to water the plants and make sure that everything’s in working order.

The reason that that is important is there is never a time when walking into a property to a dead plant or to smelling, moulding flower water is okay.

It actually is a bigger distraction than having a faux plant or faux flowers in the property.

Obviously, there are some markets where that just doesn’t work. There are some markets, even when it’s a vacant property, that we invest in having real and authentic plants and real and authentic flowers in there.

We come up with a pricing system and a process that allows for us to go in and interchange the plants and interchange the flowers during the time on market.

If you have a property that is occupied, you can actually negotiate with the owner if they’re there and if they’re happy to, around the concept of them topping up the flowers and them taking care of the plants.

But again, this takes some negotiation and it takes a little bit of work.

What I will say, though, is if you choose to use faux plants or flowers, you really need to make sure you maintain them well.

There’s nothing worse than dirty, dusty, musty smelling fake arrangements, fake plants or fake flowers. It’s essential that when you’re storing these items, if you choose to use them, in your warehouse, that they’re always bagged up so they don’t become a dust collection.

What you can do if you do find that happening is actually use feather dusters on them or, even in some cases, I have vacuumed our plants.

Another great tip is that you actually have a roster and a process where all of the fake plants and all of the fake flowers get cleaned. This can make a massive difference to how long they last and how good they look.

My biggest advice if you need to use fake plants or flowers is to invest in really good quality plants and flowers.

It will cost you quite a substantial amount, but there are some amazing products on the market internationally for this. There’s amazing freestyle arrangements that you can make and there’s also some amazing premades. You even have some really cool things like premade terrariums and all sorts of things.

My big tip is choose the price point of the property. The client and the type of installation, whether it be an occupied or a partial, before we make the decision about whether you’re going to use real or whether you’re going to use faux foliage.

There’s my take, guys. One thing is for sure, either way, you need to make sure that the faux flowers and foliage that you use is perfectly targeted for the property, for your brand and also for who you are selling to.

Choose wisely.

Do you want to attend the largest home staging event in the country? Click below to join our VIP Waitlist for the National Home Staging Symposium 2020!

Small Details that Matter in Every Space

August 29, 2019 by Naomi

Some of the most amazing properties I’ve seen have all had one thing in common – every single detail had been considered.

As home stagers, we have some influence to suggest small changes to improve the overall presentation of a property and I always recommend updating the single elements that make up the overall look and feel of a space.

Details that should not be overlooked are things like door knobs, door hinges, handles and draw pulls. Consider both internal and outdoor fixtures like the hardware of the front door for the ultimate first impression!

Even in contemporary and modern builds, you can still add a bespoke finish with brass, antique, chrome or matte finishes.

I just love a space that has custom finishing on the door hardware including the hinging!

As soon as someone walks in, you can see their eye dance around the room and notice the larger elements but also touch on the finer details that really create that ultimate buyer experience.

Combined with great styling and lots of light, these little considerations will take your space to amazing!

Why Lamps are Essential in Your Styling

August 22, 2019 by Naomi

I’m a big believer that no matter how gorgeous your interiors are; without light, there is no life.

That’s why I am a huge fan of lamps in all shapes and sizes. They can light up your space and create a completely different atmosphere.

Here’s some different types of lamps you can use when you style your next property!

Table Lamps

I love using table lamps in my styling, especially in bedrooms and living spaces.

Not only can they look divine, they give you an alternative form of light to windows or ceiling lights, and allow you to create a more calm and relaxing mood.

Occasional Lamps

These types of lamps are slightly different to table lamps – they are usually bigger and much more opulent.

I use these to make a statement and usually opt for ceramic or metallic styles to really create the wow factor.

Desk Lamps

These are all about function to help you work and are usually smaller than a standard table lamp.

Use them to add warmth to your work space and layering to your desk.

Floor Lamps

These look great next to an accent chair or behind the couch in the living room.

They add another level of lighting for extra ambience in a space that can be for entertaining or just lounging around for a movie night!

That’s it! The best part about lamps is that they’re not permanent fixtures! You can move them around and change them out each season as your tastes change.

5 Spaces to Hang a Pendant Light

August 15, 2019 by Naomi

There are so many amazing pendant lights on the market that the days of only having downlights should be long gone!

I sat down with Jen Bishop from Interiors Addict to talk about what spaces you can hang pendant lights in to create interest and mood lighting in your home.

Here’s 5 spaces we came up with that you might not have thought of:

1. The Bathroom

Adding pendant lights over the bathroom vanity can create a gorgeous softness to the bathroom.

Opt for low voltage options and your bathroom will feel more like a retreat than a cold, sterile space.

2. The Living Room

Our living room is the place we wind down to watch TV with the family. For this reason, I would recommend adding a pendant light to the back corner of the room at about chest height.

It’s the perfect way to create mood lighting and add interest behind the couch without it being in the way of the TV!

3. The Dining Room

I love the look of a pendant light hanging over the dining table – it just feel so complete.

Just be certain that your dining table is going to stay in that position for a few years to come because it’s not easy to move the lighting around.

4. The Bedroom

Free up some space on your bedside tables and hang pendant lights above your bed instead of using lamps.

You could have two either side or hang one over the bedhead in the middle – it will look divine and save you so much space.

5. Outdoor Area

And one of our most forgotten spaces is the outdoors! Pendant lights can really bring this space together and give it the final touch so it feels like an additional living/dining space.

There’s even pendant options that have a fixed rod instead of a chain so you don’t need to worry about swinging!

Try hanging a pendant light in one of these spaces and see the instant transformation for yourself!

Check out my full interview with Jen Bishop on The Reno Show here!

10 Top Business Books for Success

August 9, 2019 by Naomi

Reading has been noted as one of the primary habits of ultra-successful people and as business owners in the home staging industry, we seek this success in all it’s shapes and forms.

So here’s 10 business books from Entrepreneur’s top 20 that will change your mindset and inspire you to chase that dream that made you start in the first place.

1. “Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy,” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant.

As the No. 1 New York Times bestseller, this book is by the Facebook COO and best-selling author of “Lean In.”

Sandberg has returned with Wharton School psychologist Grant to discuss how she persevered after the loss of her husband. This compelling book offers stories and tips on managing and overcoming hardship, and it’s excellent inspiration for overcoming any type of life hurdle.

2. “Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships That Matter,” by Scott Gerber and Ryan Paugh.

“Superconnector” is the next stage in the evolution of networking, thanks to changes shaped by social media. It explores the set of habits where networkers should focus their energies, as superconnecting is about truly understanding the power that comes from building certain relationships.

This book aims to move you beyond bad networking habits and toward a “profit mindset” that involves taking a different approach to connecting with others.

3. “Leading Through the Turn: How a Journey Mindset Can Help Leaders Find Success and Significance,” by Elise Mitchell.

This book provides you with direction on how to become what Mitchell terms a “destination leader with a journey mindset.” To show you how to develop that mindset, she shares stories and interviews with successful leaders.

This is an excellent guide on how you can achieve personal and professional goals and also gain strategies for approaching the coming year.

4. “Surviving the Tech Storm: Strategy in Times of Technological Uncertainty,” by Nicklas Bergman.

Bergman offers a framework to help you understand why technology is causing uncertainty, how to look past the ambiguity and see the opportunities, and how to track the megatrends that will continue to change business.

The book provides a step-by-step approach to analyzing emerging technologies, assessing business implications, and adapting to a new and uncertain environment, potentially putting you ahead of others in your industry.

5. “They Ask, You Answer,” by Marcus Sheridan.

The book relates the story of how Sheridan’s company used content marketing to rise from the brink of bankruptcy during the 2008 economic crisis. Sheridan’s success has turned him into a highly sought-after speaker and a trusted voice in digital marketing and sales. The book will help you get a complete picture on how to integrate marketing and sales for an effective content strategy.

6. “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity,” by Kim Scott.

Do you manage a team? “Radical Candor” is an important book that helps put the role of a boss into perspective, especially for those who run virtual teams and don’t often see the talent.

The book includes practical suggestions and tips that will yield positive change for you and your team.

7. “You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth,” by Jen Sincero.

Sincero’s fun-to-navigate finance manifesto will challenge you to think differently about how to make money and to develop a mindset of wealth.

So many people want to do better with their personal finances or reach better financial decisions for their businesses, and most fail. But this book will make you address the mental obstacles standing between you and your desired income.

8. “The Captain Class: The Hidden Force That Creates the World’s Greatest Teams,” by Sam Walker.

This book enhances how you develop, manage, or work on a team. Walker devised and applied a formula about teams that has been tested and has worked on teams all over the world, from Olympic teams and the NBA to the English Premier League.

In looking at team captains, Walker realized how successful teams worked and used that to devise a winning formula. You can leverage the insights here to become a captain or identify those who fit that description so they can lead your company to greater success.

9. “Real Artists Don’t Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age,” by Jeff Goins.

This book is made for the freelancer or those considering moving into business for themselves. Originally, people thought you couldn’t make money from creative careers. However, creativity is now embraced and rewarded financially.

Goins provides a number of strategies that those in the freelance economy can embrace, including to steal from your influencers, collaborate with others, and apprentice under a master.

10. “Learn Better: Mastering the Skills for Success in Life, Business, and School, or, How to Become an Expert in Just About Anything,” by Ulrich Boser.

Our approach to learning usually involves memorizing facts, dates, and details — but this approach doesn’t always work. Instead, better learning comes from simple techniques described in this book that will help you become an expert in your field.

The experience and advice from these books will give you the push you need to be successful in business over the next year. Start with one and make your way down the list – with the right mindset, the possibilities for you and your business are endless!

How Stone Products Can Help Increase A Home’s Value

August 2, 2019 by Naomi

Post by Nicole Andrews, marketing manager for Euro Marble

Like other assets, you can increase your home’s value with a few investments and a bit of hard work. If you’re looking to sell your home, installing natural stone products is a smart investment as it raises the value of your property over time. Some of the stone materials you can use include:

Granite
Marble
Quartzite
Limestone

Euro Marble Benchtop — Image via Euro Marble. Architectural works: David Selden Design

All of these natural stones are high-quality building materials. They can be used in a wide array of applications both indoors and outdoors. Here, you’ll know why stone products make an excellent investment, how much they cost, and how you can use these materials for home staging.

Why Can Stone Products Add More Value to Your Home?

Stone products can raise the economic value of any home. How, you ask? Let’s look at five good reasons why natural stones can improve the overall value of your property.

Stones are natural materials

Stone products such as granite, marble, and limestone are natural components of the Earth. They have an abundant supply with varying colours and textures. They don’t contain pollutants or toxic chemicals that are hazardous to your health.

Natural stones are durable

Genuine natural stones are quite hard and durable if sealed properly. They are also less susceptible to decay, cracks, and scratches, making them ideal materials for countertops. Compared to manufactured products like porcelain and ceramic tiles, natural stones endure the tests of time, bringing long-term value to your home.

Natural stones are easy to clean and maintain

Some building materials need to be regularly painted or sealed to keep them looking great over the years. Aside from being easy to clean, stone products don’t require a lot of maintenance, which means you don’t have to regularly spend so much money to maintain these parts of your home.

Natural stones age well

Like a fine wine, stone products improve with age. Even though they don’t require as much maintenance as other building materials, natural stones can last a lifetime. With the right construction and maintenance, your stone products can attain their full elegance as they age.

Natural stones have enduring beauty

No two stone products are exactly alike. They come in a variety of colours, patterns, and textures, which are almost impossible to replicate, making them ideal for an exciting array of applications. Due to their unique character, grandeur, and durability, your home won’t look like any other house on the block. It will reflect your personal taste, character, and creativity.

How Much Do Stone Products Cost?

Many homeowners are hesitant to invest in natural stones as the cost of these products, compared to other building materials, can be quite expensive. What most people don’t realize is that natural stones raise the property’s value and that its quality is unrivalled.

The cost of stone products depends on a number of factors: the type of material, quality, shape, color, and density.

Listed below are a few stone products worth considering with their average costs.

Marble

Known for its unique colours, patterns, and iridescent glow, marble tiles require quite an investment. By understanding the advantages it offers, you can certainly raise the value of your home for the years to come.

The average cost of lower-end marble tiles cost $5 to $7 per square foot, while middle-grade marble costs about $8 to $11 per square foot. Higher grade marble flooring with special finishes cost $10 per square foot. Specialized marble tiles with custom polishes, paint, and engraving may range from $30 to $50 per square foot.

Marble Euro Marble — Image via Euro Marble. Featured Product – Calcatta Viola

Granite

Granite is elegant enough to decorate the countertops of your kitchen, but it’s also durable enough to adorn your outdoor space. Since it comes with a wealth of colour and pattern options, you won’t have trouble finding the perfect one for your space.

A white granite tile costs around $40 to $60 per square foot on average, while a black granite costs about $20 to $70 per square foot. A rare and exotic stone, red granite has an average price of $65 per square foot.

How Do You Add Value to Your Home with Natural Stone?

Are you ready to spruce up your home? Discover home staging opportunities that will surely raise the value of your property.

Outdoor spaces

Stone products work well outdoors. Using natural stones walkways will accentuate the façade of your home and makes your property appear grand. You can also use stone products to enhance the garden. Natural stones make your outdoor space more appealing to potential buyers. Without a doubt, well-maintained gardens will catch the attention of your prospects.

Here are some areas that you can spruce up with natural stones:

- Walkways and driveways
- Stone patios
- Fire pits
- Plant containers

Interior facilities

You don’t need a complete overhaul to improve your home’s value. You can focus on the rooms that matter most to a homeowner: the bathroom and the kitchen. If potential buyers are looking at your property, they will consider these facilities. If you renovate and add modern amenities, you can significantly increase your property’s value.

Here are some of the features you might want to enhance:

- Countertops
- Washbasin tops
- Cabinet tops

Interior flooring

Another way to add value to your home is by enhancing your interior flooring with stone products. There are a lot of perks to having natural stone floors. Aside from the natural beauty they exude, the stone products make your floors durable and easy to care for.

Takeaway

It’s safe to say that every homeowner wants to add more value to their property. There are so many different ways to do this, but installing natural stones in your home is perhaps the smartest choice you can make.

Natural stones might require a bigger investment compared to other building materials. However, due to its ease of maintenance, enduring beauty, and permanence, the value of your stone products will exceed your initial investment in the long run. If you want to raise your property’s value, natural stones are the best way to do it.

Author Bio: Nicole Andrews is the marketing manager for Euro Marble in Sydney, Australia. With a background in interior design, she enjoys writing about the latest industry trends. In her spare time, she walks her dog Rusco down at Bondi Beach.

How to Choose the Perfect Art

July 25, 2019 by Naomi

We know art can bring so much life to a space.

Whether it’s adding interest to a room, bringing in a pop of colour, or replacing a TV – art can be a beautiful addition to any home.

But like most things, there are so many options out there that it can be hard to decide what art work will look great in your space!

What size, colour, theme, frame, height, type should you choose?!!!!

Don’t let the options overwhelm you – let the style of your space and your own favourite things influence your decision so you choose the right art every time.

Here’s 6 things that will help you choose the perfect art work!

1. Consider scale

If your space has a huge wall, you need huge art – it’s as simple as that.

If your space is smaller, you only need a smaller piece. For bigger spaces, you can also use complimentary art and have two or three or more on the wall – get creative!

2. Trust your instincts

What do you love? What do you connect with?

Trust your gut and choose art that catches your eye. You won’t regret it if you love it.

3. Use the internet

These days, you don’t have to view art in a gallery (although I still enjoy doing this).

Check out phenomenal artists from your local area or go worldwide and search for beautiful art around the world – the options are endless with the internet and social media!

4. Go black and white

Let’s face it, monochrome goes with everything. If you’re choosing art, especially in home staging, try sticking to black and white prints.

They’re easy to mix and match and can look both super modern or classic – it’s a win win.

5. Be bold, be brave

If you’re looking to really make a splash with your art, why not consider mixing up traditional and slightly modern pieces together.

It can make your space feel extra unique when done well.

6. Remember, art is not just painting

Open your mind and look around…art is everywhere!

It can be photography, hand drawings, even things you’e created yourself. Paintings are beautiful but they are not your only option.

So that’s it – just start!

Art is so affordable now, it doesn’t need to be a large investment. Choose art you love with the above advice and make your space look and feel amazing!