When it comes to home staging there are a number of items that must be removed from the home such as personal photos, collections, memorabilia, etc. But there are certain props that really enhance the look of the home regardless of the age or decor style.
These 10 props are my ‘go-to’ props with pretty much every stage since they guarantee providing a welcoming feeling to buyers, help to set the scene and ensure your home stands out from the others for sale.
#1 - Pillows (and lots of them!)
Pillows always add dimension, colour and texture to any home staging project. Accent pillows look great on couches, armchairs, benches, and, of course, beds. I love creating a fuller look with pillows since it creates a sense of luxury and comfort to any room.
#2 - Throws
Decorative blankets or throws provide the same benefits as pillows do. By draping them over a bed, bench, chair, etc. you can create a more relaxed, casual look. They can also be folded neatly on a couch or at the end of the bed for a formal, more polished look. The colours, patterns, textures are endless and because you can buy them in all types of fabrics (linen, cotton, faux fur, etc) they can be used on stages year-round.
#3 - Artwork
It goes without saying that artwork is probably one of the most important props any stager uses. It creates the mood/style of the room along with being the basis for the room’s overall colour scheme. It’s also one of the most difficult props to properly incorporate (especially in occupied stages). In this case, you need to determine whether the home’s existing artwork can be used (from a style and colour scheme perspective). I find that generally at least some of the pieces can be used but the trick is to then bring in other pieces (that will work with the existing artwork) to create a consistent look throughout. The easiest scenario is always a vacant stage where you have the ability to bring in all new artwork.
#4 - Plush Towels
New towels always look amazing in a bathroom. Aim for that beautiful hotel and/or spa look with clean, plush, white towels. If the bathroom is already entirely white using a grey or brown tone will give some contrast to the space but keep it neutral. Remember, bathrooms have a lot of hard surfaces like tile, cabinetry and porcelain so adding some softness gives the room some balance.
#5 - Books
Books are fantastic props for adding colour or height. I often use them as part of a vignette setting on a coffee table. Of course, they can be used as props on an actual bookshelf as well! I can often find used books with gold or silver lettering that adds a bit of interest and shine.
#6 - Fruit
Fruit is pretty much a go-to staging prop for most kitchen stages. Red apples, green Granny Smith apples, oranges and lemons are the most popular. Their colour provides a nice pop against kitchen tables or countertops.
#7 - Faux Orchids
Faux orchids are a very versatile prop. They create a sense of elegance and can go into pretty much any interior regardless the style of the home. They are also suitable for many rooms. You can place a few together to create a large setting (foyer entryway, for instance), use as a centrepiece in the dining room or use in the bathroom to create a spa-like feel by the tub.
#8 - Plates and Bowls
I always have lots on hand for every stage since they are so versatile. I typically use plates to ‘ground’ bowls or greenery that I’ve placed on a surface. I find it looks nice to have a little something extra underneath. There are so many beautiful ones available, they can stand on their own as decorative accessories in any room.
For more information on my home staging services, visit www.flairstyleco.com
