SEASONAL STAGING WARMS UP BUYERS
It’s easy to understand the confusion some home sellers experience when they are told to limit or exclude any holiday décor while, but also are told that they should stage for the season. What does this mean?
Most of us have similar responses and desires during each of the unique seasons. Since our home is where we spend much time (hopefully) and can embrace the time of year fully, home staging should showcase and trigger the ideal seasonal emotions of potential buyers. For spring, it’s about renewal and growth. For summer, it’s about sunshine. For fall, it’s about warmth and intimate moments. For winter, it’s about celebration. Since we are on the precipice of winter, let’s focus on that season for this article.
Winter is a celebratory and elegant season. Colors like white, silver, red and deep green bring to mind festive gatherings, holiday happiness and great times with those we care about. Whether you are single, married or an empty-nester – and no matter your religious beliefs – winter is a time when everyone gathers to celebrate or just snuggle with those we love. Here are a few ideas that we like best, and that will not be a turn-off to anyone (unless they have issues, and we can’t account for that!);
Open House Ideas: Since open house activity is on the rise, these are ideas that can take advantage of only when the house is attended by someone.
Make hot chocolate or hot spiced apple cider just before the showing and leave it on a kitchen island or coffee table. It will make prospective buyers think of joyous, relaxing moments that could be had in the home. It will also make the home smell of warm chocolate or apples. NUM!
You could also make popcorn and place it in a bowl or cookies on a plate. We like this treatment best for homes that have statement TV cluster or fireplace area. Which leads us to the next idea…
Light a fire in the fireplace (if it can be left safely). If you have secure fireplace doors or a gas fireplace, by all means have it going! Nothing makes prospective buyers want to snuggle there more than seeing and feeling the warmth of a glowing fire as they enter from the cold outside. Ahhhhhh.
Don’t have a fireplace or statement TV gathering area? Then set up your hot chocolate/cider with a book and some seasonal accents near a comfy chair or on a nightstand. It will inspire the sense that living in the home will provide many relaxing, warm moments for the buyer. Use an unscented candle to further the sense of warmth and comfort (scent preferences vary greatly and potential buyers may suspect you are hiding an undesirable smell with a scented candle).
Individual Showing Ideas:
Look for ways to bring the season’s joy to the outside of your home. Curb appeal is important, even during this time of year. Light the walks with seasonal solar lights and place seasonal wreaths on doors and/or windows. There are many wreaths that are perfect for winter, but do not speak to a specific religious holiday.
Pillows and throws are another great way to up the seasonal coziness of your home. Plaids are a particular favorite during the winter and are all the rage right now. Use these accents to heighten the inviting nature of your home and deliver the sense of happy, peaceful winter moments there.
Even if there isn’t a fresh, gorgeous layer of snow glittering on the ground, you can bring that winter sparkle indoors with the creative use of twinkle lights. Place bunches of them in glass cylinders, buy bendable twinkle light branches and string them together along a wall or shelf. Add them to your dining table, along with some candles and sliver place mats. Keep it simple. Don’t clutter the house or dining area with too much. Use a few small touches that can make a big impact.
Use simple elements that coordinate with existing décor. Easy to find sticks, twigs, glitter, and subtle lights in monochromatic style, mixed in with existing décor will appear “seasonal” vs holiday specific. Bonus…you can keep this type of décor up long past Dec 31st!
These ideas from The Spruce suggest various treatments that lean into the joys of winter without being holiday or religion specific:
We love this centerpiece featured on The Spruce, done by Home Stories A to Z. It features a gorgeous example of a silver urn filled with a shed deer antler, small pinecones, a few clippings of greenery, and a couple of sprigs of winter-blooming flowers. Though simple in design, the finished product is unique and impressive.
If you are living in the home while it’s on the market, it is ok to embrace the holiday with a tasteful and elegant tree that does not take over the room. Even if you normally put up 3 festive trees, we recommend you forgo this level of decoration while trying to sell your house. Again…simple and non-denominational is your best route.
This DIY from BHG gives instructions on how to create an evergreen edged candle that is lovely and festive;
We hope you are inspired by these ideas! Please never forget that we are here to help you and assure that your home is staged PERFECTLY, no matter the season. We can simplify the process and help deliver a much higher ROI on your home staging. Quotes are free, and as we always say, the cost of staging is ALWAYS less than a price reduction on your home. Just call us or click here to get in touch:
