How To Sell A "Man Cave"

"Man cave" is a popular term for a room that features the hobbies and interests of the man of the house. But what happens when you are selling - is having a room arranged this way a selling feature or an obstacle?
Home staging differs sharply from home decorating in these cases. The lifestyle and needs of the owners are paramount when decorating, however when staging we first consider the interests of potential buyers, to attract them to purchase the house.
With this in mind, stagers typically return a room to its original purpose. So a family room, bedroom or garage set up as a 'man cave' would be staged to show its original use to potential buyers instead. And since we cannot predict what hobbies or teams buyers will like, sports collectibles are removed and pre-packed to be enjoyed in the owner's next home.

Before Staging: A fun 'mancave' area set up to watch sports and display team collectibles.

After Staging: The family room is returned to it's original purpose. Notice how the green rug accentuates the cork flooring, a selling feature of this home.

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.

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 

Say Cheese!

Family photos are very meaningful, and people display them to personalize their homes. A common question when selling is whether to leave family photos displayed. Will they add a positive personal touch? Buyers need to imagine themselves living in your home, and photos of unfamiliar people may make them feel like visitors. So to help them picture themselves in your place, prepack the family photos to enjoy in your next home.

Family photos can be fun, but are not usually for staging.

Counterpoints

Space to work in a kitchen is essential. Buyers also want kitchens that are attractive and up to date. In the one shown, old countertops were replaced with new ones in a dark laminate for a more sophisticated look. A hammered metallic backsplash was added to unify the space, reflect in light, and feature chrome fixtures and appliances. Items were removed and staged to make counter space inviting. This relatively small investment (approx. $1100) makes this kitchen more saleable to reduce time on the market and potential markdowns.

Before

After

Sell...ebrate Christmas!

Many people decorate for occasions like Christmas. When staging an occupied home, consider which takes precedence for the owner: to maintain traditions, or to sell? Their answer may depend on the urgency to move. Decorations are not forced on those who don't use them, but generally one wants to create an inviting atmosphere for the buyer, and a home totally void of decorations might seem a bit stark. Use tasteful, well-placed items such as a wreath, tree or accessory in main areas. Avoid overuse of lights and decorations so they do not distract from the property itself, and keep it simple so it is easy to un-stage after the holiday ends.

For What It's Worth

Most people own a few valuables, whether they are irreplaceable keepsakes or expensive belongings. Staging, showing, and selling your home results in a lot more rearranging and traffic than usual, which is important to consider for keeping your valuables safe. To reduce the risk of breakage, theft or loss during the selling process consider the following:

1. Store or remove valuables prior to staging to avoid damage when rearranging furniture.
2. Prepack them for the move so they are not displayed during open houses.
3. Ensure they are adequately insured. Jewelry, for example, may only have limited coverage under your regular homeowners' insurance.

Mixing Old With New

Older items have different lines, materials, features and uses than modern goods. When staging, consider the design more than feelings of nostalgia, which buyers may not share. To avoid making a house look dated (like "grandma's house"), don't feature items from the same time period when the house was built if it is several years old. (For example, shag carpet in a house built before the 1970's could look outdated, even if it was new). However, quaint features in an older home (such as glass doorknobs) can be appreciated if the furniture and decor is modern and appealing, so buyers can see it is by choice that the features are preserved. Similarly, an antique item showcased in a brand new home can add depth and interest to a room because it is unexpected.

An antique lamp displayed with some newer items.

Jewelry from the past (a lady bowling in a dress) on a new sweater.

Blonded wood, an eye catching stain technique from the 1950's.

De-Coat That Entrance!

As seasons change in Canada, entryways get filled with a mix of summer and winter clothing. To keep things tidy and entryways functional, it helps to move clothing you will not use for the upcoming season into a separate closet or storage area. Reduce the amount of clothing so there is adequate space for everything you use.

Before: Many coats clutter an entryway as winter approaches.

After: Not "staged", but organized storage areas are more attractive to buyers, and more functional for homeowners.

What Is Kitsch, And Should I Use It?

Kitsch is defined in the dictionary as "art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way". The effect is something like being tickled under the chin and told "kitschy-kitschy-coo" like a baby ... ugh!

Does kitsch have its place? Sure, because it may evoke a smile among people who appreciate its playfulness or message. When selling a home, however, the tastes of the buyer must be considered in order for them to feel "at home" too. If the charm or humor of kitsch lies in some element of bad or childish taste, then it is risky to believe every buyer will respond to it favorably. They may not be in on 'the joke' like your friends, so it is safer to prepack these items for your next place.

Help for the Cluttered Collector!

Collecting is a fun, but sometimes space or maintenance become issues. We want to enjoy treasured collections without letting them overrun our living areas, because great memories can be associated with items we collect as well as the places we found them. Photos of the collection are an excellent way to do this, whether framed as a collage or shared one by one as a slide show using a digital frame.

Favourite toys and collections can be remembered daily through photos.