Staging a Behind the Scenes Look

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When I tell people I’m a home stager, they say “What a fun job!”

I love my job, but there is so much more to it than arranging stuff in a house.

A typical staging job starts the moment a homeowner or Realtor calls. Step one is to go look at the property. Every property is unique, with distinct features. And each property will have a unique buying audience that we wish to target. This is why Stagers don’t prefer to estimate fees over the phone, site unseen. After careful consideration of the property’s needs, style, and demographics, a quote is prepared for the client within 24 hours.

Step Two: With the client approval and a date set, we move ahead with creating the design plan. After identifying the property’s needs, we head to the furniture store to pick out pieces for rental. We then source accessories, artwork, area rugs and anything else needed to complete the look. A full toolkit is essential too.

The pre-work is done. Step Three is staging day! Jessica from Fresh Moves and I meet at the property promptly at 9am with two full SUVs. The property is on the main level but down several looooong hallways. We unload our cars, piling everything in the lobby. The sight of beautiful accessories, furniture, and yes, a broom, makes passersby curious. We stop to chat with a few homeowners wondering if we are the new neighbours!

  

Shortly after, the large furniture pieces arrive. The moving men careful swivel the furniture into the condo. Andrei and Raymond of The Supermovers are simply awesome! Cheerful, skilled, and service-oriented, they really live up their name. We recommend them to anyone needing movers. They graciously help us move a pile of stuff from the lobby into the condo before heading off to the next job. Jessica and I are very thankful since each trip, that hallway gets a little looooooonger.

Now Jess and I are in full staging mode. Jessica starts to unpack accessories as I set up the beds in both bedrooms. We find it works best to put everything in the kitchen, but what a mess!                            

Starting in the bedrooms we first decide on the best layout, then choose the perfect pillows, artwork and accessories to complete the bedroom. We want to draw attention to the windows. This condo is nestled in Discovery Ridge and all the windows have a superb view of huge pine trees, your own private forest. In our opinion, an excellent selling feature! 

Now it’s time to tackle the main living area. Placing the furniture and art to highlight the focal points, dressing the sofa, mantle, and tables with just the right finishing touches – this is the art of staging that we love! A well-positioned mirror reflects the gorgeous kitchen and the wonderful view.

A few simple touches in the bathrooms takes them from empty-feeling to well-dressed and spa-like.

Now comes the steaming process! All bedding and towels are steamed so they are wrinkle-free, fresh and crisp. Time to tidy up and re-pack our cars with any extras floating around, plus the recycling.

Finally we snap a few shots for our portfolio and a quick phone call brings the homeowner running to the reveal. She is thrilled with the transformation! We’re thrilled that she’s thrilled. Another great day of staging complete!

For more information on having YOUR home transformed, contact Elysse at Simplystylishstaging@gmail.com; or Jessica@FreshMoves.ca.

To contact The Supermovers, call 403.437.MOVE (6683)

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

Step into the Buyers Shoes

Which one would you buy?

When you list your home, remember that your home is now a product on the market and like any product, it must have nice packing. Buyers are not looking to buy work or in the case above are not sure what the purpose or function of the space is.

I have heard that buyer shop with blinders on only focusing on the negative. Staging will highlight the features of the property helping buyers take the blinder off to see the positive features of the property.

Over 90% of home buyers search online for homes they would like to tour. The more pictures the better. No pictures say to the buyer “this house must need work” or “there is a reason there’s no pictures “sending signals to the buyers they is something wrong with the property. The buyer will quickly cross that house off their list.

MLS photographs need to show clean, free from clutter and each photo must show the function of the space. Photos should highlight the features and focal points of the property too.

The Internet is a very powerful tool for real estate, your home needs to make a good first impression.  In today’s market you need to capture the buyer online in order for them to come take a closer look.

Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish staging

Occupied Staging For Your Calgary Home.

Occupied Staging is becoming more popular in Calgary. Most sellers just need help arranging furniture to make their space buyer friendly. With a few tweaks to what this client already had we were able to create a space with function, allowing buyers to see the potential in this spacious bonus room.

                                     
 

Staging Your Way to Success

A lovely family friendly home just came on to the market on Friday in Discovery Ridge, Simply Stylish Staging came in for a staging consultation. We gave the sellers a detailed list; which we addressed furniture arrangement, depersonalizing and showing tips. The sellers have great Realtors® that had already advised them on pre-packing.

I rolled up my sleeves and went to work in all the impact rooms, working with what the seller had. My goal in each room is to lighten, brighten and make the space look larger. Within a couple hours with the homeowners help the property was sale ready.

The listing went on the market Friday afternoon and was conditionally sold on the first showing Saturday night. When home sellers, agents and stagers all work together, houses sell quickly.

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

How to Create a Backyard Oasis

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The days of summer will soon be here, sunshine, sandals and warm summer nights outside. Outdoor living space is becoming a trend with home buyers and sellers. Having an outdoor space is a way to expand your living space without a pricey Reno. Whether you have a patio, balcony or deck you can make use of the space to create stylish and comfortable retreat.

Comfort is at the top of the list when designing an outdoor space. It does not matter if you choose metal, wicker or wood patio furniture the comfort is in the cushion. When choosing cushions for be sure to choose a fabric the will resist the elements. Outdoor cushion come in all different colors and patterns which is a great way to incorporate more color to your outdoor space to create ambiance.

 When designing your outdoor space you need to think about your lifestyle and needs for the space. I personal like the idea of have a conversation setting in my backyard. A couch and a couple chairs will give you the most function for entertaining or family dinners.

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 If you don’t have a backyard but still crave an outside retreat a chic bistro set maybe your answer. Define the space with an outdoor rug and a few flowers presto your balcony oasis is complete.

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Well chosen accessories will turn your outdoor oasis from so-so to over the top.   Pillows and a throw are a nice addition to your outdoor space and a great way to add fun colors to your patio. Candles are a great way to add drama and lighting for summer nights outdoors. If you need more light try torches, lanterns and solar lighting to add even more drama.

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Birdhouses, feeders and bathes are great accessories for your outdoor space; they add a whimsical charm and let you enjoy nature too.

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 I wanted to give you a little inspiration to create your own back yard oasis, a place to enjoy the short summers we have in Calgary.

Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish staging

Create Your Ideal Space with Oiloboard.

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Today I discover a cool new website that could help solve your design problems. Nine out of ten people can not visualize what decor or furniture will look like in their current or new space. Oiliboard.com is an interactive tool that lets you create a mood boards picking out all the items you like and placing them together to get an idea of the full look.

Oiloboards uses brands like Crate&Barrel, Ikea and West elms, if you like the look you create you can order everything right from the store online. Clever marketing I would say!

Check out my mood broad.

Evolution Of Home Staging

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Real Estate Agents use a wide range of tools to catch the attention of buyers. Hoping that one or more will put an offer on the property, home staging continues to become a powerful tool with a lot of success. Almost 98% percent of people are starting their home search online so it’s no surprise that visual appearance will play a big role in the salability of your property.

It is very important to think about who the potential buyers are when preparing your home for sale. Home stagers have a good understanding of who the potential buyer is, what are their demographics and why someone would buy your home. It is critical that the presentation of the homes appeals to the right buying group. Think of it this way, a home needs to be presented differently to a young professional then a retired couple downsizing.

Home staging is a fairly new industry which is still evolving. Staging used to be making a property appealing to the widest range of buyer’s tastes. However the industry is now moving forward to understanding the target buyer and focusing on want these buyers want. Staging tells a story about the potential buyer’s dream lifestyle rather than de cluttering, de personalizing and neutralizing.

Stats show staged home sell in % 78 less time than a home that has not been staged. Staging helps define the space, only one out of every ten people can visualize the sizing and furniture placement in an empty space. Staging helps to show how the function of the space.

We recently help some young professional prepare their condo, which resulted in an offer close to the asking price in just five days. These client were able to move on with their life quickly with little stress and inconvenience. 


Simply Stylish Staging
Elysse Bulloch 

                

Neutral Paint A Stylish Way to Wow Buyers

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Paint is the easiest and least expensive way to transform your space for staging or living. Even the smallest, room can look spacious and bright with the right paint choice. Neutral color with white ceilings appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. This color combo will make your space appear clean, light and spacious.  

If budget is a concern opt to paint the kitchen and bathroom these areas draw the most notice from potential buyers. The best type of paint to use in these areas would be semi gloss because it can be washed, wiped and is resistant to moisture. Flat is recommended for the rest of the house.

 Don’t forget to fresh up the trim and baseboards too, I recommend you keep them light as well. This will draw the eye to the windows and doors rather then stopping the eye. White trim will make your space feel fresh, bright and contemporary.

Staying neutral is important because it reflects move in ready which most buyers are looking. Colored wall can leave buyers wondering how hard it will be to paint over not to mention if it will match their current furnishings.

 An all white color scheme can be bright and refreshing in a house but in a condo it can look sterile and incomplete. Instead choose shades that are creamy or off white.

Accent colors are the best way to liven up your neutral color scheme. You can go bold with color in small doses. A great way to add color is with cushion, decor items and artwork. Adding an accent color is a stylish and fun way to add some visual interest to your neutral color scheme. By keeping your color in small proportions you are able to change the color to stay current with trends or the season.

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

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

Create a New look with Redesign

It does not matter where you live over time you get bored with your surroundings. The same furniture and accessories become ordinary over time.  What can you do to freshen up your current space? A few small changes even on the smallest budget can breathe new life in to your space. These simple steps can be applied to any room in your house.

When I help a client with a redesign or staging, the first thing I address is clutter. We all have stuff and most of us have too much stuff. Overtime we don’t even realize that our stuff has accumulated. My rule is to remove any and all items that you have not used in the last few months. You will be surprised how much bigger and brighter your space will be when you edit your belongings.

Do your research; know which styles, textures and fabrics you like. When working with redesign clients I encourage them to go thought magazines and books to get an idea of what they like. I ask them to look for colors, pattern and textures they can see themselves living with.

 If you have not moved your furniture around in the last couple years, it’s probably because you don’t have any idea how else it could go or it won’t fit any other way. A good trick is to pull the furniture away from the wall by a foot or so. This allows the piece to breathe. You may also consider repurposing furniture and artwork from different areas of your home.

Take a good look at the color scheme in the room. I like to follow 60/30/10 for diving up color in the space. 60% being walls and ceiling, 30% is furniture and 10% being the accent color.By switching out the accent color which is 10 percent of the color in the room it will freshen up the look and feel of your room. This is also a great way to change your decour with the seaons and trends.

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

Creating Balance with Home Decor

 Creating balance can be done two ways.  The first way is Symmetrical design is it’s when you have two unit of each item. It’s like a mirror effect for example if you have two identical tables on either side of the sofa with lamps on them. This is the simplest way to create balance but tends to be a bit static lacking visual interest.

Photo from Campbell DesignsLLC.com

 The second way to create balance is asymmetry, which is opposite symmetric design. Asymmetry is when the visual weight of two items is almost equal and mixed with items that are of different in size, pattern, spacing and shape.

Photo from EthanAllen.com

  Balance is created when everything in the room works together to create a pleasurable feeling. To achieve balance you need to consider that size, scale and lighting our in proportion to the room.

 Let’s talk about how you can apply balance into your space, start with the biggest piece of furniture. For example the sofa will anchor a grouping of art, make sure you artwork is not bigger then the sofa and hung 6 to 8 inches above. This will make the grouping appear as one piece with the sofa. If the art is to height it will look lost or out of balance.

 When accessioning use multiple pieces placed close together all around the room. If you’re selling your home this trick will keep the buyers eye moving around the room, large displays tend to stop the buyers eye.

  The larger the piece of furniture the more room you need to leave around it, this allows they eye to rest. Too much stuff and buyers get distracted; they look at the stuff instead of connecting with the space.

  A great way to add visual interest and balance with accessories is to place décor item at three height levels floor, mid level and eye level. This will help the buyer’s eyes move naturally through the room, an example of item at floor level would be area rugs ,plants and the flooring its self. Décor items at mid level are lamps and accessories placed on table tops. Window treatment and art work are examples of height at eye level.

   Contrast is a great way to achieve interest in a room. Imagine an all white room with white floor and white furniture it would be pretty boring. Contrast helps bring energy to the space and keeps the buyers eyes moving. I love this look.

Elle Decor.com

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

Home Expo 2011 Calgary

  I thought I would head to down to Home Expo on the weekend to check it out. I wanted to check Tommy Smyth but he was not speaking on Sunday, but I came across a great product. If you are selling your home or just doing little updating here is a product that you need to know about.

 Calgary Countertop Systems is owned by Tom Lambert, his product can turn any surface into the look of Granite, completed in just one day and guaranteed for five years. Tom’s unique resurfacing system transforms your old counter top without removal of your old counter top.. His proprietary coating system is applied right over top of the existing surface, which is why this is a cost effective alternative to renovations. Tom product is less than half the price of installing new laminate.

 Durability is not an issue the product has a five year guarantee with a 100% money back guarantee.  The laminate system is able to with stand 275 digress, it’s stain resistant and very scratch resistance but you should still use a cutting board. The coating system is liquid it can cover burns, dent, and scratched countertops. The coating system cures instantly so you have a fully functioning kitchen or bath once the project is done.

Calgary Countertops Systems can help you update your bathroom too, giving you that custom look at a not so custom price.  Calgary Countertop Systems offer resurfacing on backsplashes, bath tubs, showers and fireplaces .If you need to update, Calgary Counter Tops maybe an options for an inexpensive one day renovation check they out here.

  Calgary countertop systems has a wide selections of colors and patterns available, they offer a free in home consultation and book appointment as early as 6 am until . Call Calgary Counter top Systems today 403.537.0712.

Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish Staging

Using Color Effectively

Staging a property with color is easy as long as you follow 60/30/10. 60 represents the dominate area this would include walls, floors and ceiling. 30 would be the medium area items like furniture, drapery and bedding and10 is the smallest area in the room items like pillows, bedding and décor.

Image by Jasmic via Flickr

 When staging a room it is best to stick with three colors anymore and your potential buyer can get distracted. However just two colors can be visual stimulating as well but instead of using 50/50 ratio try out 60/40 or 70/30  this will keep the buyers eye moving through out the space.

Their three types of color scheme monochromatic, analogous and complementary. Monochromatic scheme is different shades and tints of one color; this tends to the most calming and relaxing color scheme. An analogous scheme consists of colors that are beside each other on the color wheel, such as orange and red. A complementary scheme uses colors located across from each other on the color wheel like purple and green. Complementary color scheme are used to create excitement and interested.

 Test your paint color for accuracy; place your paint chip on the wall under natural light.  If you hold it up you will only see what it looks like under the light but not what it will look like on the wall. Keep in mind interior paint always dry darker and exterior always dry lighter.


Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish Staging

Is The Realtor.ca App Changing Real Estate ?

 The tech savvy buyers can now drive to a desire community and look at every house on the market with the new Realtor.ca app right from their phone.  Looking at this from the buyer's side this app definitely changes Real Estate. Statistics shows that 90% of people start their home search online these consumers have a good idea of which property they want to look at by how they houses shows in their online marketing. I am pretty sure that this stat will rise now that Realtor.ca has made it even easier to search for properties.

 Sellers may be able to use this app as an advantage, view your competition. Know what you up against. Once you know what your up against its time to put the elbow grease in to make your property look as good if not better than what’s out their.  Staging may be a crucial part of your marketing. I believe this app will change the standard of how properties are marketed. The houses with only one picture or bad photography will get past over.

 Before you list your house in 2011 work with a Realtor to get it priced right, put the time in to prepare your home. Many sellers need to paint, declutter and stage the property. Buyers need to see past your life to envision living in the space. You need you property to sparkle and shine resembling a magazine or show home. You never know who might be driving by. 

   Kelley Skar a Calgary Realtor recently reviewed the app. If you’re interested in see the app up and running check out his video blog.

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

Turning Old Things New Again

I discovered a product today that I can’t keep to a secret. Frame your Mirror Inc is a Calgary based company that can transform your exiting plain mirror into to a high-end framed mirror.

John McCruden founder of Frame Your Mirror met with me this morning to show me his product. I fell in love on the spot. John has developed a frame that the customer can easily put together and place on their current mirror.The frames are designed to fit any mirror even if it has no clearance around the edge because the frame fits right on the glass.. He has also lined up installers to come out should the client feel uncomfortable with the DIY. The best part about the product is the existing ,mirror does not need to come down, the frame fit right on top.Frames are available in 10 choices  in a wide range of colors to match your decor. John can ship framed any where in Canada in about 6 - 10 days and will deliver within the city

John’s product is an inexpensive fix to updating any mirror in your home, the frames run from $50 to $250. John will also send out samples of his product to help the client with color choice. His website also let you put the dimensions in to a calculator that will tell you how much your frame choice will cost before tax and shipping.

If you have an outdate mirror in your home check out Frame your Mirror. A quick inexpensive fix for your dated mirror, that anyone can do. Still have questions check out the FAQ if you can't find the answer their  contact John.

If you have a staging or design dilemma I would love to help please direct you question to me . I will feature your question in my upcoming blog.

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

Perfect Responses to the Most Challenging Staging Questions

Calgary has so many excuses on why they should not invest in staging. Here how I answer the most common objections when it comes to staging.

The first and most commons objection is I can’t afford Staging. Often the seller does not look at the big picture if your house sits on the market longer then you had expected you still have mortgage payments, household expenses and property taxes. Staging will help buyer’s see past your life and connect with your property selling your home in less time. The investment in staging is much less then price reduction stats from RESA show that staged homes sell in 78% less time.

Lots of homes sell without staging. This is very true; but the market has changed a lot over the last few years. Buyers have more choices and have become picky, they want to move in on Monday and entertain on Friday. Television shows have made consumers savvy and the market more competitive. This makes first impressions the key to selling your home.

It was good enough for me why would it not be good enough for others. The market is full of new construction and existing homes which leaves the buyer with a lot more option. 90 % of buyers start their home search online. Buyers know what they want before they call a Realtor. Staging your home will ensure your home makes it to the want to see list.

My home looks nice,I spent a lot of time and money decorating it. Staging is not decorating, staging is making your home appeal to the masses, and decorating is about your personal taste. When you decide to sell your home you need to understand that your home is now a product on the market and your personal style may not appeal to everyone.

Other Home on the Block were not Staged. Do you know if they got what they were asking? Staging is proven marketing techniques that highlight the features of your home generating multiply offers. A few repairs and a little elbow grease will go a long way and will directly affect the selling price. Staged properties are perceived as well maintained buyers are less likely to chip away at your asking price.

If you have any question about staging or have a staging dilemma please email or call me I would love to help.

Elysse Bulloch

Home Office Staging Help

Downtown Calgary Office After Staging

One of the biggest questions I get form clients is what do I do with the home office when selling ?  The home office need to show clean and organized while maintaining a functional work environment while in transition. One of the first things on the to-do list is get rid of clutter, box up all old files, and clean out the bookshelves, drawers and file cabinets. Only work with what you need and get in the habit of filing it away at the end of the day.

 When you sell your house you need to show buyers how the space is used, this helps buyer to imagine living in your space. The office can be one space where buyers feel like they are being meddlesome in the seller’s life. Pack away all personal items like photography’s and diplomas these items tend to encourage buyers to look at your life instead of imagining living in the space.

Anyone that works from home has a bookshelf that is stuffed to the gills. Buyers see this as clutter. To fix this, stag the bookshelves half full, add plants and vases to give your bookshelf a splash of color submissively buyers will feel like this is a prolific work space.

Often the office has larger pieces of furniture which can make the space seem small. Filing cabinets take up lots of space; it is unlikely you will need all these files at one time.  Ask yourself if you can move the file cabinet to the basement or even store them off site but in a place where you can still easily access them. By removing bigger piece of furniture the office will showcase bigger and more productive.

Adding plants to the home office is a great inexpensive way to hide cords and plug ins. Cords look untidy and unorganized. Move your desk so it faces the wall so cords fall behind, out of sight out of mind.

Downtown Calgary Office Before Staging

Simply Stylish Staging

Elysse Bulloch

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