The Do's and Don'ts of Decorating with Mirrors

Mirrors can play so many roles that it’s hard not to have them as one of my ‘go to’ accessories when staging. They can make a space feel larger, increase light in a room, act as artwork to create a mood and reflect a great view. Using a mirror also gives me the opportunity to show off an architectural feature or other selling point of the property that a potential buyer might overlook.

Here are some basic DO’s and DON’T’s when it comes to decorating with mirrors:

DO:

1. use large mirrors in tiny rooms

2. use mirrors in narrow hallways and staircases

3. use mirrored furniture to your advantage - mirrored side tables, for instance, beside the bed in a small bedroom will help widen the space

4. use full-length floor mirrors

5. pretend mirrors are decorative windows

6. display one in the dining room

7. use multiples in bathrooms

8. use mirrors to showcase a beautiful view

DON’T:

1. place mirrors in random locations (reflecting random things)

2. put mirrors in kitchen (not needed and if they are placed near sinks or other activity areas they create a cleaning nightmare)!

3. go overboard with mirrors in your bedroom - bedrooms are meant to be restful areas - it’s okay to place one above a headboard but avoid mirrored closet doors for instance

4. place a mirror opposite the front door - instead hang a foyer mirror on a side wall

5. hang one above a fireplace (or anywhere too high) - they often reflect the ceiling or light fixture

Incorporating Black into Staging & Design

Black has always been a good building block for interior design and the same holds true when it comes to staging.  Black helps to ground the space, provide dimension in a room and adds a touch of elegance.   I most often incorporate black into my staging projects via:

• pillows

• mirrors

• clocks

• prints (black frames and images)

• lampshades

• baskets

• vases

Most homes now have black flat screen TVs (in at least one room) so using black accent pieces to balance the TV out works well.  The same goes for fireplaces which are most often black (and a strong focal point).  Bottom line is that you can never go wrong with adding in some black!  Here are a few of the black accents that I have used in staging:

When designing for living, there are so many ways to use black:

• sinks, faucets

• lighting

• accent walls in any room

• windows and doors

• rugs

• furniture (large or small pieces)

• curtains and curtain rods

• backsplashes

• and so much more ...

Black sofas can be difficult (sofas are big and heavy looking to begin with so a black one has the potential to really drag a room down).  Here are some general design pics with black that I found online:

Most Common Home Buyer Complaints (and how staging can solve them)

My role as a home stager is to remove all reasons for a buyer NOT to make an offer.  Talk to any real estate professional and they are likely to confirm that there are consistent complaints from buyers that surface with all showings.   Here are the top three complaints (which, by the way, can all be solved with some simple home staging):

“It’s too small/cramped”

Buyers will often complain that a home feels too small or cramped.  This typically has more to do with the perception of the size rather than the reality of it.  Some things that cause a home to feel tight are clutter, oversized/bulky furniture, too much furniture in a space, a bad layout, and insufficient lighting.  I always recommend that you declutter your home before it goes on the market.  Get rid of as much as you can, including paring down the décor on shelves and surfaces to open up each room and make it feel larger. 

Similarly, bulky (or too much) furniture can crowd a space. Keep the furniture visually lightweight and only have a few necessary pieces. Don’t block the doors or windows and make sure there is a natural flow to the space.  Lastly, make sure each room has plenty of natural light or artificial lighting to fill in dark corners.

 “It needs too much work”

In the case of a fixer-upper, this is a given, but many buyers will pass on a home that needs a lot of cosmetic changes too. Most buyers simply can’t see past personalized décor. When they see brightly-coloured walls or overpowering window treatments, it can be too distracting for them to imagine themselves in the space. It can also be overwhelming to think about all the changes they will have to make for it suit their personal style.

I always recommend neutralizing  your home’s décor before putting it on the market. This will make it much easier for the buyer to imagine it as their own.  They won’t feel rushed to change anything (to feel comfortable in the home) but instead will get excited thinking about what they will be able to do with a blank canvas.

 “It just doesn’t feel like home”

Similar to the last complaint, this one is often caused by a home feeling too much like a stranger’s home not only because of the décor, but also the personalized touches like family photos and toiletries sitting out on the bathroom counter. Too many reminders that someone else lives in the home breaks up the fantasy for many buyers and gives them an uneasy feeling that they can’t quite put their finger on.

You need to make buyers feel relaxed on a subconscious level.

The above suggestions will help buyers overlook things that may not be exactly what they were looking for, but the home “feels” so good that they can’t resist making an offer. 

— Julie Brown, CCSP

Wall & Ceiling Woes

A well-staged home …

will draw attention away from the home's flaws & weaknesses and focus on its positive elements.  Since walls are one of the most prominent features in any home, they are vital to staging and their condition and colour need to be addressed prior to showings.  The good news is that, for minimal cost, a big impact can be made.  Here are some quick tips for addressing your wall and ceiling 'woes':

Paint with staging safe colours (neutrals)

This is important when it comes to selling since these colours neutralize the space, lighten the room(s), de-personalize the space and create a perfect backdrop for showcasing/decorating.

Paint with low-sheen finish

This will reflect less light which makes it harder to notice surface imperfections.  Although flat paint does a great job of this, it's not durable (or often aesthetically appealing which makes it perfect for ceilings); therefore, the better choice for walls would be an eggshell finish.

Paint over wallpaper?

Yes, you can!   However … there are varying opinions about how (and even if) this should be done.  That said, you will want to research techniques and cost prior to embarking on this task (if done correctly, covering the seams is even possible).

You don’t need to be a pro. There are simple and inexpensive ways to create the effect by combining trim and narrow crown molding.  Installing crown molding can provide an instant element of luxury and create a great visual impact for showings. 

Cover popcorn ceilings

Popcorn ceilings instantly date a home and scraping them can be costly (and very messy).  Applying a coat of paint will brighten them up; however, it doesn’t change the design itself.  Covering with tiles, decorative planks, or even fabric are possibilities.