Checklist for Showings

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Once your home is on the market you need to keep it in tip top shape for showings. Don’t get over whelmed here is a checklist of things you can before each showing. This short list will only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete and it will ensure that your home shows best to potential buyers.

1)     Open the curtains and blinds, this will allow natural light in, which make your property look bright, clean and spacious.

2)     Make the bed, have you ever noticed how clean the bedroom looks once you have made the bed?  It’s the biggest piece if furniture in the room so your eye is drawn to it.

3)     Pick up everyday items, day to day items are small and eat up visual space, I tell my clients anything smaller then a soccer ball should be put away.

4)     Remove pets – Only about half the people that tour your home with be pet people the other half not so much. The best way to combat this is to remove all signs of pets, food dishes, toys, cat litter and even the food in the pantry.

5)     Put out display towels in the bathroom and make sure the toilet seat is down.

6)     Weather permitting, open the windows. When showing your home the best smell is no smell.

7)     Ensure laundry is out of sight

8)     Wipe down counter in bathroom and kitchen to ensure they show clean.

9)     Turn on all the light even outside, this will welcome the buyer into the property.

10)  Go out! This is important one buyer’s will feel uncomfortable if you are home while they tour your property. The goal is to keep the buyer in the home as long as possible.

For a complete list and advice on prepping your home for the market or showing please contact us at 403-710 -4229

Simply Stylish staging

Staging on a Budget

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If you’re trying to sell your home, then you know that your biggest challenge is to make your home interesting to potential buyers. Staging can be a way to appeal to buyers, but many people reluctant because they think they can’t afford staging.  There are many ways to stage a home that won’t break the wallet.

I am sure you have already heard this, if you’re selling your home de clutter and de personalizes are the easiest and cheapest ways to prepare for the market. Buyers are easily distracted by stuff. You are selling the home not the stuff in the home. Less is always more when it comes to staging.

Paint is money in a can; bold colored paint can to be overly personalized. Consider painting neural and muted tones like browns, grays, blues and even yellow. Buyers want to know their décor will match.

Staging tell a story inviting buyers in, make the beds, and fluff the pillows on the couch. These easy household tasks will give the buyer thoughts of a well taken care of house, making it easier for them to see the positive features of the property.

Open the windows let natural light in. Sunlight will help your home feel bright and warm welcoming buyers. Studies show that people are happier and more productive when exposed to natural light. We want buyers to be happy when they tour your home

These few staging tips will go a long when selling your home; just remember soon you will be on the other side of the table looking at home for sale. Think about what you are looking for when touring homes. Keep it in mind when staging on a budget and the process will be much easier.

What things do you do to stage your home for sale? What has worked for you?

 Ellysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

Maximize Natural Light In Your Home

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Many of us are starting to feel the winter blues. Natural light keep us healthy and our homes looking fresh all while saving energy.  Studies show that people are happier and more productive when exposed to natural light. Here are some tips to maximize the natural light in your home.

When I stage a house for sale, I always remove the window treatments. Most people have bulky dark curtain to block the sun out or for privacy. A better solution would be shears, light-colored drapes, or blinds this will allow you to control the light. Bright rooms tend to appears fresh, energetic and more inviting exactly how we want to greet buyers.

The color scheme in your house could be swallowing the natural light. Lighter colored wall and furniture will reflect the natural light making the space seem larger.  Add color with cushions or accessories, this will add visual interest to the room. Bright colors seem more vibrated in well lit spaces. Using high gloss paint on the ceiling is a great way to increase natural light because it reflects light better than matte finishes.

Mirrors are a great way to add more light to your space since they are reflective.  Stagers love mirrors for the fact you can double your space visually, try to hang the mirror so it catches the rays of the sun though the window to maximum the light it reflects.

One of the most obvious ways to increase the natural light in your home and most overlooked is to clean the windows. Dirt and grim gives everything a dull look, the light filters through the dirt making the cleanest room dreary.

Making the most of light is economical, energy efficient and keeps us healthy. Sunlight will help your home feel bright and warm even in winter. A few simple and easy changes will make a big difference in maximizing natural light, changing the mood and attitude of the space. 


Simply Stylish Staging 
Elysse Bulloch

Stool Height Explained

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Islands and Bars are a popular design element in most homes today, but many people do not know the correct height for seating under the island or bar. Use this guide to help you choose your seating for these areas.


Before you go the store measures your bar or island twice, so you only buy once. Proper measurement will ensure your family or guests will be comfortable. A good rule to follow is allow for 10 to13 inches between seat of stool to the bottom of the counter or bar, this will ensure you will have enough room to cross your legs or swivel and sit comfortably. Bar height is  usually between 35” and 36”. The best seating height to choose is the seat height of 24” to 26” inches. Kitchen and vanity are just a little shorter usually between 28” to 30” inches. When buy a chair or stool you should be looking for a seat height of 17” to 18” inches. This will provide max comfort when using the kitchen island or bathroom vanity.

How many stools can fit under the counter? To figure out how much seating you have room for, remember stools should be spaced about 30 inches of the middle of one stool to the middle of the next one. Correct spacing you should be able to get on and off the stool comfortably.


Going to the store with no idea of what kind of stool you need could leave you over whelmed. Before you go to the store think about what kind of stool will fit your family’s needs? Something to consider materials stools are made from, would you prefer wood or metal? Do you need arms? Do you need stools to swivel? Do you want back or backless? Putting some thought into these questions can help determine what the perfect stool looks like for your family.


Bar stools are great ways to change the look of your space. Weather your selling or just changing things up with a redesign,  bar stools are a great way to save on space. I hope these tips help you find the stool that fit your homes needs.


Elysse Bulloch


Simply Stylish Staging

The Foyer the Second Chance to make a First Impression

The foyer is the first place buyers see when entering the property and the last things they see when they leave. It’s your second chance to make a lasting impression. The foyer is also a great way to introduce color to your curb appeal by simply carrying the color outside.

 The best way to fresh any space especially high traffic areas like the foyer is always a fresh coat of neutral paint on the walls and baseboards. You would be surprised how much of a difference paint makes.

Think of the foyer as the table of contents, it’s a preview of what to come. If you don’t have a foyer, think about creating one by adding a bench or a coat tree. One thing all buyers have in common is the want for space, by keeping the floor clear it will give the illusion of more square footage. If you have limited space to work with consider a console table this way their is a place for items like keys and mail.

When staging the foyer, pre pack all seasonal items. Try to keep the hallways and closets empty to free up visual space. Buyer need to see that the space will work with their needs.  

 Mirrors are a great accent to the foyer giving a personal touch and adding light the space. Place the mirror across from the light source; this is a great way to reflect light brightening the darkest space.

Lighting is a great way to welcome buyers, update old fixtures. If you have room add a lamp to a console table. Remove window covering to allow lots of natural light to come through

Staging the foyer is a great way to make a first impression. Every home deserves a beautiful entrance follow these simple tips to “wow” buyers.

 Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

Staging Tricks to Make Any Room Look Bigger

   Buyers are always looking for the property with the most space here are few tips to consider when staging that give the illusions of more square footage.

 Hanging a mirror an effective way to increase light your space, keep in mind mirrors reflect whatever is in front of them. Try to place the mirror so you are reflecting a great view or something with interest .The best way to reflect light into the space is to place the mirror on the opposite wall of the window.

 When you entry a room your eye will catch the biggest item in the room, by placing all large items at the back of the room you automatically draw the eye back. Try to keep your facial point at the back of the room too. Placing the facial point at the entrance can make buyers feel crowed.

 Color plays a big part in how large a space feels, keep the paint color light. Light colors recede making the space feel large. Dark colors tend to swallow up the light making the space feel dark and small.

  

 If you are thinking about updating your flooring consider having the flooring installed on a diagonal. This will create the longest straight lines possible in the space. When ever possible use the same flooring through out the space this will create unity and seem more open. Over sized tile can also make the space appear larger even in the smallest rooms.

 Over sized furniture can make a space feel small, consider the scale of your furniture to the size of the room. A common mistake to place all the furniture on the walls, pull the furniture away from the wall this will make the space seem cozier.

 A great visual trick is to use glass table tops like coffee table, desks and dinning tables. The glass makes you think you can see more space and less clutter.  

Elysse Bulloch CCSP

Simply Stylish Staging