Revisiting A Home From A Prior Post

A furnished house is a bit like a puzzle. As a stager, I envision how the pieces will look in a completely new arrangement before we even move anything. Then we try the new arrangement, make adjustments, and finish off with accessories and art.
In an earlier post I shared before/after photos of a place we helped clean when visiting an older relative. At that time we organized his trophy collection and books. Sadly this person recently passed away, so we returned to prepare the home for potential buyers or renters. When a house has older furniture and there is no budget for staging, can it still be set up in an inviting way?

Before: Livingroom

In this case, I discovered bedding and pillows that happened to match the area rugs, and used it to cover the older, patterned furniture. Seating was rearranged to feature the large picture window and create a conversation area. The newer recliner had the throw removed, then was positioned where the back would be visible. Also, an interesting aloe plant/book arrangement was put in the former TV corner, and a computer desk replaced the trophy shelf to make the room more inviting to new owners.

After: Livingroom rearranged (using same furniture as the before photo).

Aloe and bookstand arrangement where TV used to be. 

Before: Trophy and bookshelf. Trophies (and even books)
can make a home seem like "someone else's" to a
potential buyer, so we removed them.

After: A computer desk with antique chair shows a potential buyer that technology fits within this house. The dated switchplate on the wall could also be replaced.

 Before: left After: right

If left in poor condition, buyers would assume significant expense was needed to replace the kitchen cupboards. So the goal is to make them clean, updated and attractive enough to eliminate this as a deterrent or bargaining tool for the buyer, and sell the home for a better price as a result.

Years of fingerprints were removed with several applications of Murphy's Oil Soap applied liberally with a damp sponge. Once thoroughly cleaned, updated handles could be added along with new countertops to make the home more saleable. The cupboards could also be painted (or replaced), but a painted finish may not be as durable as the wood has proven to be.

Foiled Again

It can be difficult to keep everything shiny in your home for sale while you live there. Although most people only spend a short time at the initial viewing, you don't want their eye drawn to unsightly areas. Stove tops can be particularly noticeable when grimy, and are blackened at once when something spills over and burns. A quick way to brighten a stovetop is to use disposable foil liners over the regular ones. These protect the drip pans and can be quickly replaced. The drip pans and rings themselves can also be replaced, which is more attractive than liners, but liners are very inexpensive and provide a quick solution.

Before: disposable insert is blackened

After: new foil insert replaces old one

Solution: Foil Insert

Stager On Holidays, Sort Of...

We recently stayed with an older gentleman who lives alone. He loves to read and wanted to display his sports trophies, but his books were piling up and his trophies as displayed, were hard to dust. He consented for us to organize a little. The purpose was not to sell or stage, just to lighten the workload for him and make space for our visit.
A solution was to introduce shelves for his books, and also the trophies. Although a closed unit with glass doors would keep dust off, we used an open unit to make the books very accessible. He was pleased with the changes, and also that the shelves fit on top of his cabinet which he wanted to keep for extra storage.

Before

Before

After

After 

Check It "Out"

Outdoor buildings can become weathered over time. When you see them in your yard everyday you hardly notice, but they may detract from the appeal of your home and spell w-o-r-k to a potential buyer. Make your shed or garage a positive extra in the sale by keeping it in good repair.

Before

After

Birdhouse detail.

If Plants Could Talk...

Before

After

...They might tell what goes on in the room! But this one would probably just say "Dust me." It's easy to overlook plants we see everyday as they gradually grow. And while they clean the air, like anything else they also accumulate dust. A spritz of water and soft cloth is all that's needed to gently clean the leaves, and the shine will be extra noticeable if the leaves are large.

Get A Handle On Things

Changes don't need to be expensive to make a noticeable difference. The area around handles and knobs can become worn or dirty, and fixtures themselves can date a property due to the materials and styles used. Simply changing the handles, and cleaning up fingerprints can give cupboards and closets a refreshed look. Changes like these deliver a good return for a small investment.

Before

After

A Pane in the Glass

Windows are meant to be clear. However, sometimes the seals break and moisture seeps between the panes, like in the photo. It can look like a steamy buildup, or worse like a rainy day, and the amount of moisture can vary with the seasons. This may be quite noticeable, and will spell "work" to a potential buyer, so it is therefore worth replacing if you plan to sell.

Old Lights, New Lights

It's easy to overlook light fixtures that we see everyday. However a potential buyer is likely to notice them because they are usually sold with the property. A new light fixture can reduce the ability of insects and dust to accumulate in the glass, and give the room an updated look. Older fixtures, such as the one pictured, are often replaced with affordable flush mount lighting.

Older fixtures tend to swivel, and collect dirt.

A new light updates the room.

'Hard To Get Rid Of' Water Stains

Hard water stains make a bathroom look grungy. Once they build up, many people use muscle and gritty cleaners to remove them, however there is an easier way. Acids break down hard water stains, and given a little time the stains will simply dissolve. Vinegar is a popular choice to use, but another green alternative is lemon juice which smells nice and works well. 
Simply saturate paper towel with lemon juice and place it over the stain. This helps it to cling, and keeps it wet longer. Let it dry, check the stain, and rewet again if necessary until the stain dissolves or loosens sufficiently to easily remove it. Although it requires time, it is easy and effective.

1. Before - a hard water stain.

2. Cover with paper towel, saturate with lemon juice overnight.

3. After - stain is removed, silicone remains.

Staging With "Fluffy" (Name Changed to Protect The Innocent)

As a cat owner, it's hard to imagine your cat being anything but adorable. When it comes to staging, however, they do pose challenges. Here are a few to consider:

• Fur - hairballs, shedding, and buyers with allergies ... need I say more?
• Claws - If you want to rent furniture or accessories to enhance your property, you will be liable for any damages such as scratch marks.
• Litterbox - well, at least they USE a litterbox, but these can pose an unattractive problem due to smells, tracked litter, and - let's face it - litter boxes just aren't pretty.

Do consider these issues when staging. A house may be the most expensive personal item you ever sell, so it pays to get the maximum value by making it very attractive to buyers. Finding an alternate location for your cat(s) during open houses, and perhaps until you sell, might be a worthwhile investment.

Details, Details...

 Homes have areas more prone to dirty buildup around baseboards and vents, and the bathroom is one of these. Steam, hair, body oil, soap, hairspray, lotions, all these contribute to the gradual build up of grime. Also, brighter lighting and smaller quarters can make it more noticeable in a bathroom. Potential buyers only spend a few minutes looking through homes for sale, so target detailed cleaning to the areas it will have the most impact, such as the bathroom.

Before - hair on the floor, dirty buildup around the edge and inside the vent. These details may be overlooked in regular cleaning because they build up gradually.

After - buildup removed beneath edges and inside shines from a clean reflection. A small detail, but gives a better impression of 'clean' to a potential buyer.

"Out Damn'd Spot!, Out, I Say!"

Pet stain before

This famous quote makes me wonder if Lady MacBeth had dogs. They can certainly be a source of unwanted spots! Here are two clean and green products that are very effective at removing stains from carpets.


The first is club soda. Look for a brand that only contains carbonated water and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), because extra ingredients reduce its effectiveness for cleaning. Schweppes brand works well.  Just spray on, then absorb with a towel as the stain disappears, it's that easy.

After removal with club soda

However, some carpets do not enable club soda to work, because the weave holds in moisture and spreads the stain instead. For these, hydrogen peroxide 3% may work better. You can spray it on and leave it to dry, and it will begin to fade the stain immediately.  However the fading action may also change the colour of some carpets, so test first on an inconspicuous area. If only Lady MacBeth had known, it also works quite well on blood!

Pet stain on woven carpet - before.

Pet stain immediately after hydrogen peroxide 3% applied.