Home Staging

Clutter and Your Mindset

April 23, 2021 by Naomi

I wanted to share something with you today that I was reading on my phone earlier, so you’ll see me looking at it a little bit. It’s about clutter and money.

There’s an amazing, good friend of mine, as well as an amazing business woman, called Denise Duffield-Thomas from DeniseDT.com. Go over and check her out. You’ll find the stuff that she does absolutely amazing.

I was reading the morning about this really great piece she wrote about decluttering. I see a lot of home stagers doing some of the things that she talks about in her blog.

You’ll see in here that she talks about clutter and decluttering is great for money manifesting. She goes on to talk about all the different things that maybe we are doing with our clutter.

For example, in our office spaces, are we holding onto a desk someone gave us when we first started our businesses because we feel that we need to have more money or be a bigger business before we then give ourselves another desk?

A little like – and this is a phrase that Denise talks about, as interesting as it sounds – beggars can’t be choosers. “Someone gave me this when I first started business, so I’m going to keep using it.”

I really want you to head over and read this blog because this is absolutely amazing. It speaks about if we’re holding on to some of the things that we were gifted and we feel we have to be grateful for in our businesses, we aren’t opening up opportunities for new energy, new money and new abundance to come in.

I see this a fair bit in home staging. I see it with people’s stock. When I first started and I was getting stock in and I was like, “Wow! My business is growing!”

Then, as I got more and more stock and I wanted to turn it over, there was this ridiculous attachment to the stock that I had first because, “Oh, gosh. I need that. I need to be grateful. That’s where I can from.”

It wasn’t until I had the most epic garage sale that suddenly my business started to flourish. I got rid of all that old stock that was tying me down and that I wasn’t even really using. I was getting a warehouse full of clutter.

This is something that’s really important in home staging.

Look at your stock, look at your inventory and avoid it becoming clutter. It is the main commodity for many home stagers who have higher for making money.

Why do we allow a money making item to become a cluttered item?
Why don’t we cut it loose and allow more space in our warehouse, more space in our energy, more space in our business for abundant stock, customers, clients and agents coming in.

This is one way that I find a lot of the home stagers that I mentor and that are on our memberships are a bit attached to clutter. But I want to share with you from my phone here. I love reading Denise’s stuff.

She had some other great top tips and I wanted to read you some of my favorites about decluttering in the business because it’s so important; just as it’s important in life, it’s essential in business.

The first one is a really great one about unsubscribing to emails that you don’t want anymore. Deleting old contacts out of your phone.
Backing up and cleaning off your computer. If your desktop looks like a mad woman’s breakfast, clean that up. You’ll be amazed at how good it feels.
Shred old documents. Old documents that you don’t’ need, get rid of them. There is no need to have that clutter and store them.
This is a really interesting one: clean up your Facebook feed. It doesn’t mean you have to defriend people or unlike people, but if there’s someone that’s on your feed and you just don’t want to see their stuff anymore, make sure you remove that from your feed.
The other one that I love, which is really interesting is deleting websites and getting rid of the histories in your browsers. That can be really interesting.
Then, one of the last ones that I want to read to you – and this is a great one – is say no to networking groups that have become an obligation and not a joy.

I believe massively, guys, in the five people that we surround ourselves in are the people that we’re going to become and the people that we’re going to be the biggest reflection upon us.

That could also be said for networking groups. Many of us got involved in networking groups, which can become clutter in our calendar and clutter in our life.

Take Denise’s massive inspiration. Head over to LuckyBitch.com. I want you to get on and read this because it’s a really amazing blog.

I want you then to have a look in your warehouses for cluttered stock; I want you to look in your offices for all those things that you feel you should be entitled and that you’re really gifted to have and you need to keep and I want you to look in your computers and in your phones.

Rid yourself of that clutter and that will open up the energy for abundance and more business, more wealth and more opportunity to come your way.

Thanks so much for listening, guys. I’ll be back again soon.

How to Hang Art in a Home for Sale

April 16, 2021 by Naomi

Art is one of the greatest ways to give homebuyers a vision when they walk into a property!

They may visualise their existing home decorations, be inspired by new colours and consider how to improve their own style and ideas.

But the way you present your wall art can make or break the impact it has on the buyer – and as many of you know, attention to detail is super important when staging your house to be sold.

So what are the 4 key things to remember when you are hanging wall art?

Image credit: Staging Designs

1. Keep artwork in scale with the space

The biggest mistake most people make is hanging a picture that’s too small for the space. If you put a page-sized portrait on an expansive wall, it will be totally lost and ignored. To figure out how large a picture to hang on your wall, measure the width of the space (say, the area between two windows) and multiply that number by .57. The result is the ideal width of the painting you should centre in that space. This bit of arithmetic is based on decorators’ tried-and-true proportions, but you of course have a little leeway. You can also group smaller photos together to reach this number — just be sure to account for additional spacing between each.

2. Hang artwork at eye level

Many people hang their pictures too high on the wall, thinking that there’s a lot of space to fill toward the ceiling. Not so! The centre of your artwork should be at eye level of the average person — (roughly 175cm). The one exception is with lettered signs, which are typically designed to be seen from a distance and can therefore be hung higher than eye level if you like.

3. Make sure your art is lit correctly

Be conscious of the lighting around your artwork. Some art will only shine when light dances onto its surface in the correct way so ensure you investigate the light from windows and any artificial sources. Also be wary the beauty or detail of your favourite piece doesn’t get lost if it’s catching some rays.

Image credit: Styleness

4. Use art to accentuate the room

If you have beautiful tall ceilings, use art to draw your eyes upwards by hanging one piece on top of the other, rather than the more traditional way of side by side. Use ornate detail to embellish or highlight art pieces, and vice versa. Choose art that brings out the best of the room, and can help mask the less inspiring elements of a room.

If you stick to these four simple rules, you’re sure to be pleased with how your works of art transform the walls and ‘wow’ potential homebuyers.

Want to boost your career in home staging and network with like minded people in your industry? Join our Professional Membership. Find out more here

How to Create a Gorgeous Vignette

April 9, 2021 by Naomi

When you work in property styling, knowing how to create gorgeous vignettes is essential!

But what are vignettes? And how can you make them amazing?!

Vignettes are small arrangements of bits and pieces usually placed on coffee tables, book shelves, benches and anywhere that can hold specific items to bring texture and warmth to a space.

The ways in which vignettes are arranged is not random, even though it can look that way. In order to have a successful and aesthetically pleasing vignette, it is necessary for the items used to be specifically picked for a particular reason.

A vignette can be as simple as a small house plant next to a book on a coffee table. These items are commonly used in vignettes because plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but they can also create a positive and calming atmosphere in the area.

Coffee table books are often used in vignettes as they are intriguing and can make guests interested in the overall arrangement of the vignette.

Small artworks, candles and magazines are all used in vignettes to create interest and pleasing aesthetics in an area such as a coffee table.

The idea behind vignettes is that you are able to create your own small artwork that you can change whenever you please.

When styling vignettes it is of utmost importance to ensure that all items used are of different textures, shapes and sizes. While vignettes may seem easy to style, it can be difficult to create an arrangement that makes you and everyone who sees the vignette say “WOW!”.

Using different colours, textures, shapes and sizes that all work together is the most effective way to create an amazing vignette, but it is all about trial and error.

Where you put your vignette can also determine if your vignette works or not as well. A vignette may look awesome on a coffee table, but it may look a little too much on a book shelf. It’s all about figuring out what works best in the space.

If you’ve created a gorgeous vignette, tag @NaomiFindlayOfficial on Instagram and we’ll share it with our audience!

How to Style a Master Bedroom

March 26, 2021 by Naomi

Styling a master bedroom in a home for sale can be tricky. The majority of time spent here is for sleeping and for this reason, many people have a complacent attitude when it comes to styling the master bedroom.

But the key is the create a space that oozes comfort, tranquility and space. So how do you create a space that attracts buyers?

Read on for my top style tips…

Having a pleasing master bedroom is more than just the mattress. When it comes to putting your house on the market, it’s all about practicality and aesthetics so choose gorgeous pillows, play with different colours and textures, and use light to your advantage.

The bed is the major part of a master bedroom, and is usually the focal point of the room. Simple bedding such as a white cover is best. This can be dressed up with a throw and pillows of a variety of colours.

Not all master bedrooms have a lot of wardrobe space, and buyers will wonder if there is enough room for clothing so consider adding stylish clothes rails and a chest of draws to showcase alternative storage solutions. As long as the furniture is scaled to suit the size of the room, it shouldn’t look crowded and can in fact make the space feel complete.

Lighting is another key feature that is of utmost importance in the master bedroom. Natural light is always a plus, but it is understandable that this is not always available.

Downlights, side table lamps, tall feature lamps and candles are all great ways to make the room feel more comforting and, most importantly, makes sure the room is well light.

Accessories and art are also great ways to make the room shine and add interest without deterring buyers.

Image via Huntley & Co

We have scattered some of our favourite master bedrooms below! As you can see, there is no strict formula when it comes to decorating the master bedroom but all designs contain the features mentioned above.

What is your favourite master bedroom?

Want to make your own gorgeous homewares, learn about foraging for foliage in your local area or learn my top style tips? Check out my workshops below.

3 Things NOT To Do When Styling Your Home To Sell

March 12, 2021 by Naomi

Research into home buyer psychology tells us that we have just 30 seconds to make a first impression when selling our home.

So you need to nail the look and feel of your property if you want to sell faster and for more money!

If you want to get prepared before the property stylist comes to perfect your space, here are three things to avoid doing during the process:

Decluttering

A lot of clients tell me that their homes feels comparatively empty when it goes to market. This is where the idea of cosy vs clutter comes in.

It’s often difficult to differentiate between the two when it’s your own home, however it’s essential not to get this one wrong. The best rule is to try to avoid the “cosy” look when selling your home. Having too many accessories, personal photographs and other items in an attempt to create “cosy” will actually make the property seem cluttered and lose its appeal to the broader market.

Stick to stylish, understated and sophisticated accessories. There’s a fine line though, you don’t want your property to feel cold – but the property stylist can help you bring in warmth with great styling choices.

Not being able to look past your own personal style

This is an area of great concern when you are styling a property for sale. You have to remember that your personal taste is not necessarily that of the market. When selling, you need to appeal to as many people as possible so remember – when you have your home styled for sale it is not about you (I know that hurts but it will help you when you sell, trust me).

This is why bringing a professional in can be the best thing you could do to increase your chances of selling for more.

Choosing furniture that is the wrong size for your space

The use of furniture that is too big or the wrong shape can drastically affect the way a potential buyer sees your home. It’s all about scale and making the space feel light and airy. If your bedrooms are small, your choice of furniture could either emphasize the tiny space or completely transform the feeling for a potential buyer.

Your home stager can work with you to choose appropriate furniture if yours is the wrong fit.

Are you a home stager? Want to boost your career? Join our Professional Membership! Click below!

How to Style Open Shelves

March 4, 2021 by Naomi

Lets face it, sometimes it’s easier to hide our mess behind closed doors – but I really do love open shelving, for so many reasons!

Luckily, open shelving does not have to look like a cluttered mess. When styled right, it can add so much character and interest to your space that you might want to do away with all your cupboard doors!

Check out these great options below.

Modern Desk Accessories design by West Elm

Don’t think of open shelves the same way you think of storage, it’s not about squeezing in everything you can!

Instead, make your open shelves the feature of your room.

By using simple floating open shelves you can create so many different looks depending on what you accessorise the shelves with.

They can totally be functional too, just a more presentable version of what you’d usually store away!

How to Ensure Brand Loyalty in Home Staging

November 13, 2019 by Naomi

When most people think of brand loyalty, their first thought is about brands they use in their own day-to-day life.

What supermarket do you shop at? What brand of cereal do you buy? What fast food do you get?

Unlike food brands, home staging isn’t a service or product that is needed for every household on a weekly basis.

Home staging is a service that most households wouldn’t even use once a year. Some people spend their lifetime living in the same property, some people never plan to sell once they find their dream house. So, how can you create brand loyalty for an industry where repeat customers only happen every few years if that?!

Image Source: adoremagazine.com

Social media and advertising

Being front of mind for your potential customers is a great way to ensure that when they hear the term ‘home staging’, their first thought is you!

No matter if you want to solely advertise online, hand out flyers to mailboxes or run a Facebook ad; advertising is the most effective way to ensure that your company is everywhere.

If someone keeps seeing your brand pop up online or on social media, when it comes time to sell their property or they know someone who is, their first thought is your company.

Offer incentives

Spread the word of your business and encourage repeat customers by offering them an incentive. It could be a free service or bonus inclusion if your client shares something on social media, recommends you to a friend or is a repeat customer. This is all about creating a strong and positive relationship with your customers. You don’t necessarily have to drop your prices to meet your competitors’, but you can make your customers feel valued.

Image Source: ventandcover.com

Listen to customer feedback

Feedback isn’t always good feedback, but it can always be used for the better.

By looking at your feedback, be it online or face-to-face, you are able to understand what your customers want and need from your service and then it is up to you to meet those needs. If you keep getting feedback that the customer felt left out during the process, then make an effort to install a system which means the customer is kept up to date every step of the way.

Maintaining and improving quality

It’s important for businesses to strive for all customers to leave completely satisfied with your quality of service.

Continually improving your business ensures that you blow your customers’ expectations out of the water so they keep talking about how great their experience was. With a great experience, comes a memory so even if someone had a great experience 10 years ago they may still try to hunt down that business and hire them again.

Bathroom Renovations for Sale: The Must-Do’s

October 24, 2019 by Naomi

It is inevitable that before you sell your property you will have to do some bits and bobs around the house.

Renovating your bathroom ready for sale can get quite expensive quickly so it is important to figure out what you should be investing in.

Your bathroom could make or break how fast and how much your property sells for. So, what should you invest your money in to and what should you skip when renovating?

Here’s 6 must-do’s that should be on your list:

Ensure that the toilet is in complete working order – it’s a must! This is something that will start being used as soon as the new owners move in so it is absolutely essential. If the toilet bowl is cracked, leaking, wobbly or looks old then it is time to replace it for the market. No one wants to buy a house with a toilet that looks gross or broken so it is of utmost importance to fix this up right away!

2. Make sure all taps are working correctly. Fix any leaks or loose handles before you put your property on the market. The good thing about this is that it can be done in half an hour at a reasonably low price! Don’t stress if the hot and cold labels are mixed up or the wrong way around. This is common and not difficult to figure out.

3. Ensure that all drawers in the vanity and bathroom area are in working order. Focus on making sure they are clean, and open and close smoothly.

4. Fix any cracked, chipped or mouldy tiles. As most bathrooms have tiles on the floor and walls, it is absolutely essential that the tiles look clean and new.

5. Ensuring that all plumbing is in working order. If your plumbing looks dodgy or doesn’t work properly, your property will probably not get the price it deserves on the market.

6. Fix any lights that are hanging out of their socket. Not only is this a hazard but it also makes the bathroom look neglected. Installing new lights in this instance is essential.

While your bathroom may only be a small part of your property, it is an area that is used everyday and therefore needs to be presented well when you go to market.

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

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!