21 Home Staging Secrets!
Come along on a tour inside a show home in Hawaii!
Does anyone else love to look at show homes, real estate and home decor stores when they are on vacation? (I'm sure I'm not the only one??) It's a must on my vacation to-do list, when I am lucky enough to make it happen!
Curious to see inside a gorgeous show home on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii? Today I will take you there!
Plus if you are thinking about selling your own home in the near future, in this post I will reveal some of the insider home staging secrets I spotted that help make these show homes look so inviting! The best part? These tips that work in Hawaii also work in any home in the world! Regardless of where you live, if you are selling a home then these secrets will work for your home too!
In this blog post we will:
Step inside two show homes located on the Big Island of Hawaii
Zero in on key decor elements that make these show homes enticing to the buyer
What elements work well and why?
How can you implement this in your own home?
Look for the "Home Staging Tips" sections throughout this post. Also, click on the photo thumbnails to see the larger versions and additional comments.
Let's dive in!
Show Home #1
What do you do in the middle of the afternoon, when you are on vacation in Hawaii, and it's too hot outside to go to the beach? You could take a nap... or you could go look at show homes! At least, that's what I did! While we were on vacation there happened to be a pair of show homes located a short drive from where we were staying on the Big Island of Hawaii. I couldn't resist the opportunity to take a look inside!
Show Home #1 was a townhouse unit (4 units per building) with a front garage, living room, kitchen, dining area, master suite and one guest bedroom. Scroll on down for photos!
Living Room, Kitchen, Dining and Guest Room
I loved this living room area! You can't see it in the photos, but the ceiling was actually open to above on the 2nd floor, so the space felt enormous. I love how they used a soft green as the primary colour in this home. This colour is carried throughout the living area, guest bedroom and master suite. In the living area they used a bronze-orange colour as a light accent (picked up in the decorative bowl, vase and flowers). Love it!
-- Home Staging Tips --
Add some greenery
Real or fake, it doesn't matter! They incorporated lots of plants and flowers in this home, which helped to make it relaxed and inviting.
Let in the light
Open up the blinds and curtains to take advantage of the natural light.
Dress up the coffee table
They used the "rule of three" here by putting 3 objects of varying heights (a coffee table book, a decorative bowl, and a tall floral arrangement). A single flower arrangement or a tray with a group of objects works well too!
Master Bedroom and Master Bath
Ahh, tranquility! My favourite thing about this master bedroom and the HUGE master bathroom was the colour scheme! I think they nailed it with this soft green colour, which was carried through from the rest of the home. The decorators did a great job of incorporating the colour in the pillows and the artwork. I also liked their creative choice of round occasional tables as bedside tables. It looks like they are actually outdoor bistro tables! They help create a relaxed look and an allow for more open space beside the bed.
-- Home Staging Tips --
Choose a calm and relaxing colour scheme
Soft shades of green are great for bedrooms
Have a TV in the bedroom? Hide it inside an armoire
They do have a TV in the bedroom, it's hidden away!
Be creative with your bedside tables
Bedside tables don't always need to be "bedroom furniture" with drawers and shelves!
Hang artwork in the bathroom
If you've got some blank wall space in the bathroom, put some art on it!
Show Home #2
Show Home #2 was a larger space with with a double front garage, open living room, kitchen, dining room, powder room and master suite all on the main level. Take the curved staircase up to find two more bedrooms, a full bathroom, and laundry room. Let's take a look inside!
Kitchen and Dining
I have to say this home suffered from one major flaw, and that was the lack of natural light in the kitchen and dining area. It definitely felt a bit dark in there! If I could change one thing, I would brighten up the dining area with lighter colours on the wall and swap out the dark dining table & bar stools for something light. That being said, they did do the one thing I recommend to all homeowners when showing their home for sale: Turn on all the lights!
-- Home Staging Tips --
Turn on the lights!
Before homebuyers arrive at your home for showings, make sure you turn on all the lamps and light switches!
Bonus Tip: Make sure the colours of your lightbulbs all match! Don't mix daylight bulbs with warm white bulbs in the same room.
Add mirrors in dark spaces
If your space is dark, try adding some mirrors to help bounce the light around the room
Set the table
I like to set the dining table with some placemats and dishes, for two reasons. First: it makes it easy for buyers to see how the space would look and how many people can be seated for dinner if they like to entertain. Second: It helps your home stay tidy and show-ready when your home is for sale! If there are dishes on the dining table, you will remember not to pile clutter, junk mail, and paper on it :)
Main Floor
The first thing I noticed in this living room was their creative use of a sectional sofa that has been separated into 2 pieces. It looks like they removed the middle corner piece completely. This was a smart choice because it helps improve the flow of the room for buyers who are walking through. With the space opened up, it's possible to walk straight through the middle of the room to look out the window and to access the sliding doors to the lanai (patio).
I also have to talk about this great entryway console table! The pair of storage ottomons tucked under the table are perfect! They provide extra seating when you have guests, and give space to stash your stuff at the front door. A mirror over the table gives you a spot to check your outfit when you are heading out the door, and the table lamp lights up the space when you come in the door at night. Here they balanced the lamp with a tall plant on the other side. The only thing that is missing is a decorative bowl for your keys :)
-- Home Staging Tips --
Remove excess furniture
If you have a large sectional sofa taking up a lot of space in your living room or family room, consider separating it into pieces and removing a section completely, to allow for more space to walk around.
Keep the traffic flow moving
The round coffee table also helps here because it leaves lots of space to walk around it
Define the space with an area rug
This living room space is well defined with the addition of an area rug. It helps warm up the tile floor and set the boundaries for the conversation area.
Define the entryway
A mirror, a table, and a spot to sit. That's all you need! However I caution that if your entryway is very small, I suggest removing all furniture to keep the floor space clear when you are showing your home for sale. Especially during an open house, you need lots of space for people coming in and out the front door!
Master Bedroom and Master Bath
This main floor master bedroom was stunning. The window seat bench was my favourite part! With high ceilings, walk-in closet, large master bath and a sliding door out to the lanai, this master retreat was big on luxury. But it was the view of the lush greenery outside the window that really stole the show! I loved how they dressed up the window bench with extra pillows and added a comfy lounge chair in the master bedroom; it looks like a perfect spot to hide away and read a good book :)
-- Home Staging Tips --
Create a reading nook
Take advantage of extra space in a bedroom or at the end of a hallway by creating a cozy reading nook with a comfy chair or chaise lounge.
Show off the view!
When selling your home, remember to open up the blinds and curtains to let in all the natural light and highlight the view.
There's no such thing as too many pillows!
I counted 15 accent pillows in this master bedroom. Too many you think? Nope! Pillows add a feeling of luxury. A proper luxurious master bed calls for at least 7 pillows! In this room they have 5 more pillows on the window bench and 2 on the lounge chair. Accent pillows are a great way to add colour, texture and interest to the room.
Create a spa-like atmosphere
Fluffy towels, apothecary jars, sea shells and decorative accents abound in this master bath. You don't need a large bathroom to make it feel like a spa, just a few luxurious accents will do!
Guest Rooms and Laundry
Two more lovely guest bedrooms and a laundry room rounded out the rest of the home. I particularly liked how they added a small desk in one of the guest rooms. They also managed to disguise the lack of headboard in one room with careful placement of pillows and artwork to create the illusion of a headboard when there wasn't one. Well done!
-- Home Staging Tips --
Add a little office space
You don't need a lot of space to add a little mini work area or office space. A small desk in the spare bedroom works well here!
Create the illusion of a headboard when there isn't one
No headboard? No problem! It is possible to create the illusion of a headboard with careful placement of art and pillows
Don't forget the laundry room
If you have space for artwork and a decorative accent or a pretty laundry basket in the laundry room, go for it!
Let's Recap!
21 Home Staging Secrets
Did you read any tips above that got you thinking and brainstorming about strategies to try in your own home? These home staging secrets can really make a difference if you are selling your home in the near future!
Let's quickly recap the list:
Add some greenery
Let in the light
Dress up the coffee table
Choose a calm and relaxing colour scheme
Have a TV in the bedroom? Hide it inside an armoire
Be creative with your bedside tables
Hang artwork in the bathroom
Turn on the lights
Add mirrors in dark spaces
Set the table
Remove excess furniture
Keep the traffic flow moving
Hide the TV wires
Define the entryway
Create a reading nook
Show off the view
There's no such thing as too many pillows
Create a spa-like atmosphere
Add a little office space
Create the illusion of a headboard when there isn't one
Don't forget the laundry room
Bonus Tip: Make sure the colours of your lightbulbs all match! Don't mix daylight bulbs with warm white bulbs in the same room.
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed following along with me on my adventure inside these Hawaiian show homes, and I hope these tips will help you in your own home selling adventure!
- Amanda
