Posts
In recent years, the trend of bringing the bar experience into the home has gained immense popularity. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or a mixology enthusiast, creating a dedicated space for your favorite beverages adds a touch of sophistication and comfort to your home. In this blog post, we’ll explore creative ideas for designing and crafting your own coffee or cocktail bar, with a focus on off-the-shelf options and solutions for small spaces.
Off-the-Shelf Solutions
One of the easiest ways to kickstart your home bar project is by exploring ready-made options. Many furniture and décor stores offer pre-designed bar carts, cabinets, and shelving units that cater to various styles and preferences. Look for materials that complement your home décor, such as wood, metal, or glass.
Consider bar carts with wheels for flexibility and easy mobility, especially if your space does double duty, i.e. a living room and dining area combo. You can even roll it outside for al fresco libations!
Small Space Solutions
Limited square footage doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or functionality, thanks to readily available space-saving furniture and clever storage solutions. Wall-mounted shelves, fold-down tables, and compact bar cabinets can make the most of every inch. Consider multi-functional furniture that can serve as both a storage and a serving area, ensuring your small home bar is practical and visually appealing. A corner cabinet can double as a bar anywhere you have an awkward corner to fill.
Caffeine Corner
For coffee enthusiasts, a dedicated coffee bar can transform your mornings. Choose a cozy corner in your kitchen or any living space (primary bedroom is a great choice) and set up a coffee station with your favorite brewing equipment. You can even tuck a 2.5 gallon water jug with a dispenser (available at most grocery stores) into the cabinet if you don’t have a handy water source nearby.
Display coffee beans in stylish containers, hang mugs on hooks, and personalize your space with artwork or signs that reflect your love of all things coffee.
Shaken or Stirred?
For those who enjoy a well-crafted libation, a dedicated cocktail bar can be a game-changer.
From niche-sized bars to fully-dedicated rooms, the sky (and your budget) is the limit.
This small space bar uses home-improvement store cabinetry and appliances accented with a mirrored backsplash to visually enlarge the space and display barware. This is a great option if you collect vintage barware, like we do!
If the bar is in a carpeted area, a pretty, washable throw rug will protect against spills and stains.
/
And if you’re really serious about a home bar, well, we can dream, right?
Be the Toast of the Town!
Designing and creating a coffee or cocktail bar in your home is a rewarding project that allows you to showcase your personal style and elevate your entertaining experience. With off-the-shelf options, clever small space solutions, and a touch of creativity, you can transform any corner of your home into a stylish and functional oasis for enjoying your favorite beverages.
And if you’re craving something a little “extra”, our design team is always here to help you with custom solutions from basic to luxe. Whether you’re thinking of nook or an entire room worthy of a of a trendy craft cocktail venue, just give us a call!
Embarking on the journey of selling your home can be both exciting and overwhelming. At Impact Home Staging Experts, we understand the importance of making a stellar first impression to potential buyers. Our consultation service is designed to guide our customers through the process of preparing their home for sale to ensure it shines in the best possible light. Let’s take a closer look at what clients can expect during our consultation.
Our Process
Every home seller is unique, so we begin by getting some key information about our clients to provide the most useful information to help them prepare their home for sale. Our primary goal is to understand the client’s goals, timeframe, and any other information pertinent to the upcoming move. Does the homeowner plan to sell or donate some furniture prior to moving? Will they be living in the home during the sales process? Will there be time to paint (if necessary) or make larger home improvements that we might suggest? All of this “intel” helps us better formulate a workable plan that suits the customer’s specific needs and situation.
Staging is not “decorating”, and we help sellers understand this distinction. Decorating is very personal based on specific likes and personal tastes. Since taste is very personal, what one person likes may not appeal to the potential buyer. This can strongly influence whether a buyer makes an offer or walks away.
Our goal is for a buyer to see the listed property as their future home. Our aim is to transform the home in a way that will appeal to (and make an emotional connection with) the largest pool of home buyers. We make sure sellers know that nothing we say is personal; our knowledge comes from 20 years of experience and putting it to work for you will help you sell FASTER and for MORE MONEY!
Whole-House Walkthrough
Our next step is a quick, high-level overview of your entire house that allows us to capture first impressions and note potential areas of improvement. We encourage you to grab a notepad and pen while we perform this quick walkthrough, which is aimed at gaining an understanding of what we have to work with. During this time, we will take “before” pictures as needed to document the current state.
Consultation and Discussion
Now the heart of the consultation unfolds. We always start with the exterior and curb appeal, underscoring the significance of this as the first impression. Moving through the home with a “buyer’s eye,” we discuss the importance of key spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, and living rooms.
The consultation involves selecting and tagging items to stay in each space, potentially creating diagrams for layout. We might discuss recommended paint colors or minor repairs that are needed. We also consider things like a room’s “flow” (is it too crowded?), the amount of natural light, and whether each room has a dedication function. An example might be making sure a dining room is staged as a dining room even if it’s currently a child’s play area. An integral part of the consultation addresses potential deal-breakers, such as odors, clutter, pet hair or damage, and any necessary repairs.
While this is primarily a “walk and talk”, we can offer minor hands-on help if needed, such as moving art or small items. If key rooms are empty or require additional furnishings, we discuss supplemental staging, offering to send a quote for the client to review.
The Deliverable
At the end of the 1.5-hour consultation, you can expect a summary of the top five to ten priorities and how to address them. Our aim is not only to enhance the appeal of your home but also to equip you with valuable insights into the selling process. With Impact Home Staging Experts, your journey to a successful home sale begins with a thoughtful and comprehensive consultation.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/sgjdyyn10Zc?si=rWcNoH7kF30ztIlX
Here’s a quick overview of our consultation process, starring some of our team members. Enjoy!
Selling a home during the holidays can be challenging due to the festive distractions and the potential for inclement weather here in Michigan. However, with the right strategy, you can make your home stand out and appeal to potential buyers. Here are some tips from our staging professionals for staging and selling a home during the holidays:
- Keep decorations tasteful: Decorate your home, but avoid going overboard with holiday decorations. Opt for a neutral and elegant theme that appeals to a wide range of buyers. Choose colors that complement your décor, and be judicious when choosing very religious or personal decorations.
- Enhance curb appeal: Winter can be tough on your home’s exterior. Make sure your driveway and walkways are clear of snow and ice, and keep the yard well-maintained. Consider adding some outdoor holiday lights to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
- Create a cozy ambiance: Highlight the cozy and inviting aspects of your home. Use soft throws, warm lighting, and scented candles to make your space feel inviting and comfortable. A crackling fire in the fireplace, if you have one, can add to the ambiance.
- Let in the Light: Winter’s weaker sunlight and shorter days can make a home feel gloomy. Be sure to open drapes (or even consider removing them) to allow in plenty of natural light, and increase the wattage in your lamps, where appropriate.
- Highlight winter features: Emphasize the advantages of your home during the winter months. If you have energy-efficient windows, a heated garage, or a well-insulated attic, make sure to mention these selling points in your listing and during showings.
- Professionally stage your home: The holidays are busy enough without adding a home sale to the list. Our staging professionals can get your home photo- and showing-ready in just a day or two, with minimal disruption to your life during this hectic time.
Selling a home during the holidays can be a rewarding experience with the right approach. By creating a warm and inviting atmosphere with professional staging and a skilled real estate agent, you can increase your chances of selling your home quickly and at a favorable price, even during the hectic holiday season!
As summer wanes and we head into the crisp, cooler weather of fall, it’s the perfect time to give your home a touch of autumn magic. Especially if you’re listing your home for sale, now’s the time to create a Fall vibe that any potential buyer would love. Our staging professionals share some fun and easy ideas to help you bring that cozy, seasonal vibe indoors.
Let’s Talk Colors!
No need for a home make-over…just add some fall hues. Think deep reds, burnt oranges, warm yellows and rustic browns. Swap out your usual throw pillows, blankets, curtains, or even a piece of wall art for something that has an autumnal vibe. These colors will instantly give your place that comfy, fall feel. And guess what? These warm, inviting tones can make potential buyers feel right at home and, even if you’re not listing your home for sale, your family will enjoy the fall touches as the days grow shorter.
Bring A Bit Of The Outdoors In
Fall centerpieces are easy to create and so affordable! Grab a bunch of gourds, pumpkins, pinecones, and colorful leaves. Arrange them in a cool bowl or on a tray and add some candles or fairy lights for that extra cozy glow. Display your masterpiece on a dining table, coffee table, or wherever you want to make a statement. This easy project not only adds charm to your home but also gives potential buyers a taste of the warm, welcoming atmosphere they can expect.
Think Textures and Textiles
Swap out those summery fabrics for warm and fuzzy materials like flannel, wool, and faux fur. Dress up your sofa with throws and toss pillows in autumn colors. Not only will they look inviting, but they’ll also keep you snug on those chilly evenings. Our stagers know that cozy textiles can make your home feel more inviting and make buyers more likely to linger and imagine themselves living there.
Set a Fall Table
Take your dining experience up a notch with autumn-themed table settings. Grab some rustic tableware, linen napkins in fall colors, and seasonal table décor. This attention to detail can make your home feel inviting and appealing to potential buyers.
Cozy Aromas
When we close up our homes against the autumn chill, indoor odors can become more noticeable. A deep cleaning is a great place to start. A scented candle (we like cinnamon, apple, pumpkin spice, or woodsy aromas) add a subtle scent. And a bowl of pretty, autumnal potpourri adds both visual and olfactory delight. Our stagers caution home sellers to be judicious about adding too much scent as it could lead potential buyers to think you are covering up some unpleasant odors. Less is more!
Bringing autumn vibes into your home is all about embracing the season’s natural beauty and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. You don’t have to go overboard – just throw in some warm colors, cozy fabrics, and a dash of nature-inspired decor. And the best part? These tips work even when you’re staging your home for sale. By making your home feel cozy and welcoming, you can help potential buyers see it as their future dream home. Get creative, and let your home become a cozy haven for this wonderful season, whether you’re staying or selling! And if you’re thinking about selling, let us help!
/
Click link above for a downloadable PDF of this newsletter to learn about the strong connection between home staging and appraisals. Studies have shown that staged homes typically appraise for more money than un-staged homes. This is because staging makes a home more appealing to buyers and helps them see its potential. If you are thinking of selling your home, it is important to stage it properly. This will help you get the highest possible appraisal and sell your home faster. Share this downloadable PDF to friends, family, and clients.
Feel free to share on your socials!
At Impact Home Staging Experts, we stay abreast of the trends in home design. And since it’s the dog days of summer, we’re going to dive into the latest trends in swimming pools! Adding a swimming pool is the ultimate form of “home improvement”! From genius smart pools to nature-loving eco-designs that make squirrels want to party, we’ll explore the (sometimes wacky) trends that await you this year.
Smart Pools: Imagine controlling your pool with a touch of a button!
Smart pools in 2023 let you change the water temperature from your hammock and adjust pH levels from your poolside taco feast. But beware, with great power comes great responsibility. One wrong click, and you might find yourself in the midst of a rubber duck invasion!
Energy Efficiency: Pools that make the sun jealous and make you feel good about yourself.
In the age of environmental consciousness, energy-efficient pools are all the rage. Picture pumps that sip electricity, LED lights that turn your pool into a disco on water, and solar heating systems that harness the sun’s power.
Eco-Friendly Designs: Say goodbye to cookie-cutter pools and hello to nature-inspired designs.!
Picture pools with organic shapes, sustainable materials, and even spaces for wildlife to join the pool party (ewww, duck poop!). Dive into a pool that feels like a hidden lagoon, all while reducing your environmental footprint. It’s like swimming with Mother Nature’s seal of approval!
Vanishing Edge and Infinity Pools: Pools that create the illusion of water extending into infinity.
But be careful, your brain might struggle to distinguish where the pool ends and the sky begins.
Wellness and Health Features:
Why settle for an ordinary pool when you can have a wellness retreat? In 2023, pools come equipped with underwater treadmills, resistance currents, and hydrotherapy jets. You can get fit, relax, and feel like a star of “Baywatch” all in one! (Red bathing suit optional.)
Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Materials:
Pools that let you be lazy and still have a sparkling oasis, perfect for synchronized swimming with your inflatable dolphin squad! In 2023, sustainable and low-maintenance materials are all the rage. Picture recycled glass, natural stone, and composite decking that require minimal upkeep. Now you can spend less time scrubbing and more time perfecting your backstroke.
While we can’t help you install a pool, we can help you get your home ready for a quick, profitable sale. And our design team can help you make the home you live in a showplace (even without a pool).
How can we help? http://www.impacthomestagingexperts.com
For a more in-depth (and slightly more serious) look at trends in pools, check out this article.
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pool/swimming-pool-trends/#scrollto_1_pool_finishes_that_change_the_color_of_water_section
November is Home Staging Awareness Month, this is a month where the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), NAR, professional home stagers, real estate agents and other industry professionals raise awareness about the benefits of working with a home stager.
Home staging is the preparation and presentation of a home to make it look its best and appear move-in-ready to the largest pool of potential buyers. Along with professional real estate photos, it is one of the best ways to market the property for sale. Staging is not decorating, it’s proven and applied market research on what makes your house feel like a buyer’s dream home.
Typically, when we use the term “staging” it refers to furnishing a home. However, decluttering, and other minor improvements are usually prep work and part of the gig too. Depersonalizing a space is key. Staging transforms plain painted box-rooms into realistic and inspiring home environments. Most importantly, specifics used by a professional home stager will show a home isn’t just a collection of empty rooms, it’s a comforting and warm lifestyle waiting to happen.
Home staging benefits both buyers and sellers (and of course, the agent as well). It helps potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the home, as well as overlook flaws. For sellers, staged homes sell faster, better terms, and for more money. Staging a property has a remarkable impact on a buyer’s choice to see a property in person, which would ultimately lead to a great offer. Also, it is key to letting your sellers know that you work with a company that has a well-known track record. Impact Home Staging Experts has been practicing this art and science since 2004, and we are dedicated to getting it right every time.
Professional staging is your secret weapon, and one you should always rely on. We want to be real estate agent’s go-to. Our goal is to elevate not only the value of the property but elevate the agent’s value and brand. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 82% of buyers’ agents report that professional staging helps clients visualize a home as their own. 99% of millennials start their home search online, so it’s more critical than ever that sellers make a positive and lasting impression.
Why choose Impact?!
When you decide to sell your home, the stress of preparing it for sale can be overwhelming and chaotic. As proven by NAR statistics, the right furniture lay outs, windows, and art can increase the sales price of the home – but how do you choose? How do you see the home you’ve live in any different? One of the crazy truths of the real estate is that furniture lay outs and color pallets do make a difference. But you will already have enough on your plate, you shouldn’t have to guess at what that difference will be.
That’s where we come in, and are happy to help. We have an amazing and dedicated team of stagers, logistics, and customer service. Our quotes are always free, and we look forward to working with you!
For the first time since June of 2019, inventory of homes for sale sees growth!
According to http://realtors.com May housing data, the inventory of homes for sale has seen an increase of 8.0%. This is a major turning point for the housing market at a national level. On the other side of the coin, the total number of unsold homes nationwide (various stages of the selling process that are not yet sold) was still down 3.9% percent from May 2021. Although, this has improved from last month’s 10.1% decline.
This doesn’t mean this hot market is cold (yet)! There are still only half as many homes available, but we are noticing more and more new listings entering the market on a regular basis. Housing remains incredibly expensive and fast-paced with the median asking price at a new high while time on market is at a new low. Because we are the experts, we are speaking from real life experience people! Impact Home Staging Experts, Oakland County and Wayne County is booming! We have seen an uptick in jobs, higher than pre-pandemic!
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, you’re at an exciting and nerve-wracking decision. When it comes to a big decision like that, timing is everything. So, what does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? As we already touched on, the number of homes available for sale is likely to continue to grow. There are early signs housing inventory is starting to grow and experts say that should continue in the months ahead.
From the Expert
According to Chief Economist at realtor.com:
“The gap between this year’s homes for sale and last year’s is one-fifth the size that it was at the beginning of the year. The catch up is likely to continue, . . . This growth will mean more options for shoppers than they’ve had in a while, even though inventory continues to lag pre-pandemic normal.”
Keeping Current Matters
As a seller, your house will be facing more competition when other sellers list their homes. This means you REALLY need to prepare for the sale of your home. You’re not the only kid on the block, and buyers have more options. Buyers are getting smarter. The market is changing. In order to achieve a profitable sale, you need to merchandise the home like it is the best product on the block. You MUST stand out to get that high-offer you’re after. But I guess the good news is, if you’re also a buyer, having more options to choose from should make that move-up process easier.
“Do not wait to stage. This is the worst time for you to list your home and ‘see how it goes first’ – its not an option anymore. You must stage to get that top dollar offer. The market is changing”
Darla Rowley, Impact Home Staging Experts
What Role Does Staging Play in This Shift?
Staging is about showcasing an engaging, move-in ready home that creates an emotional connection with the largest pool of potential buyers. Everyone knows that your home is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay and even in a seller’s market, there are going to be flaws and other variables in each area. But, now that we are seeing as change in inventory supply, it may not be overnight, but a change is happening.
In a red hot market buyers market? Buyers can be picky, focusing on the hot property of the week and ignoring the others. So you want your property to be the hot one, with buyers going crazy to “out offer” each other. The better your home shows, the more it will sell for and no matter what the market, everyone likes more money.
“In every market, every seller wants the most Money for their home.”
Calling All Agents!
For Realtors, Your professional Home Stager is your key to keeping your commissions. At Impact Home Staging Experts, we say NO! to discounted commissions. Adding more service is the key to working smarter, not harder. And because your listings will look better and sell faster, you will become the “go to” top producing agent in the neighborhood which will increase your number of referrals!
More competition means more agents will be looking for ways to get the listings. Some will use discounted commissions as a way to attract business. How will you compete with these discount agents? Will you reduce your commissions or will you find ways to add value? We hope your answer is adding value by adding professional home staging as a key tool.
If you are in Southeast Michigan, and would like a free quote, please call us at 248-591-4290 or visit us at http://ImpactHomeStagingExperts.com. We have a quick turn around time, but we are booking a week in advance. Take the first step in making a profitable sale today. We’ve got your back! And remember, Professional Home Staging is always less than your first price reduction!