Renewal at Home

By Catherine E. Brown

It amazes me how many times I hear “we should have done this years ago” after I’ve been hired to stage a home for sale, update décor, or suggest ways to make it innocuous enough to appeal to the buying public.

Yet, it shouldn’t surprise me. Often, busy people postpone picking up a paint brush (or calling a painter) when a room begins to look worn and tired and its original appeal fades. Instead of renovating or redecorating, many homeowners over-estimate the cost, time, and trouble.

There’s something especially poignant about my clients who have done all the work themselves, and only get to enjoy the results for the brief time the house is on the market. How much nicer it would have been to enjoy the home at its best, longer!

It’s like saving the good china for company, as if we’re not good enough to use it every day. Your home should look just as great for you and your loved ones as for other people, whether or not it’s on the market.

Re-upholster, replace or re-arrange furniture at the very least. A sofa doesn’t have to be against the longest wall in the living room – just because it’s been there for years, doesn’t mean it has to stay. Get some floor sliders and try different scenarios.

Thin out furniture to only your most attractive, most comfortable, favourite pieces. De-clutter and edit; it’s a liberating feeling to say good-bye to things that no longer have value or simply aren’t beautiful, whether you’re moving or not.

Sell or give away furniture and accessories that no longer suit your lifestyle or taste. Fix or replace things that don’t work: light fixtures, bulbs, appliances, taps, etc. Add good lighting and use the proper type for each area in the home. The right lighting can make all the difference in the ambience and usage of a space.

Use a room for what it’s intended: Keep children’s toys and make-shift home offices out of the dining room. Move craft supplies and projects out of the kitchen and into the basement. Every day can be a special occasion in the dining room.

If you’re not moving for a while, or if saleability isn’t an issue, indulge your favourite colour scheme in one room you can call your own, like your home office. Add fabrics and textures that inspire your creativity.

Renewal at home: don’t wait till it’s time to sell!

Catherine E. Brown is an Accredited Staging Professional and owner of Staged to Move. Catherine is committed to helping clients sell their home for the best price in the least amount of time. She can be contacted at (519) 868-7171 or by email at catherine@stagedtomove.ca. Visit her Web site at www.stagedtomove.ca.

Published in Networking Today, July 2006.