property styling

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.

India Buying Tour 2019 – Recap

October 25, 2019 by Naomi

I seriously had a ball at the IIHS India Buying Tour in May!

The homewares and furniture from these places are so unique and the experience of going with a group of like-minded property stylists who have so much in common is like no other trip you can take for your business.

I wanted to share some of the highs from our trip and announce our 2020 shopping tours for the new year!

India Buying Tour — Beautiful interiors in India

The beauty of India never ceases to amaze me – the colours are incredible every where you look!

It really is the perfect place to draw inspiration from as a creative.

We stayed for 6 nights with guided tours on four of those where we shopped until we dropped!

The custom furniture and accessories available here are so bespoke and the perfect addition to your stock collection.

Are you thinking about coming along for our next furniture and homewares shopping tour? I am taking a group to both India and Bali in 2020 (spots are already filling up)!

If you want to update your stock with custom furniture and source gorgeous homewares to suit your business and set yourself apart, then this is your chance!

Plus you’ll get to rejuvenate your mind and body with an amazing group of property stylists!

India Shopping Tour — An amazing time had by all

Click below to see all the details and join the VIP waitlist to claim your spot now as numbers are strictly limited!

Bali Buying Tour 2020

India Buying Tour 2020

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!

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!

3 Things NOT To Do When Styling Your Home To Sell

May 2, 2019 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:

Declutter

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? Come to the National Home Staging Symposium! Click below!

How to Create a Gorgeous Vignette

April 12, 2019 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!