A Photo Primer for Staging Your Tabletops

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010421.jpg" width="467" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Counters, tables and other level surfaces are <br />begging for decoration when it's time to stage your home. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Let's talk about the tables in your home on the market. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Whether it's a <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-sofa-table-can-help-you-stage-room.html" target="_blank">sofa table</a>, coffee table, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-stage-bedroom.html" target="_blank">nightstand</a>, end table, vanity top, or even a <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/03/tips-for-dressing-your-mantel-in.html" target="_blank">mantel</a>, a flat surface is an opportunity to deliver that crucial "Buy this house!" message to people touring your home.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Each tabletop should tell a story. The story, in essence, is how lovely it would be to live in this home. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've selected photos that demonstrate the best tabletop staging tips I know. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When it's time to create a tablescape, shop your own home, including closets, garage, attic, outdoors and even the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/finishing-touches-department-where-to.html" target="_blank">recycle bin </a>for interesting stuff to use or upcycle. Look for items that have interesting shapes and textures. Your props should be handsome and pretty without being overly detailed or distracting. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Most of us decorate our coffee tables and other surfaces at holiday time, but how about when your home is for sale? Use your skills and imagination as a DIY stager to make these surfaces speak to buyers. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img4-1.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/11/coffee-table/white-coffee-table-m.jpg?300:300" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img4-1.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/11/coffee-table/white-coffee-table-m.jpg?300:300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Every table vignette needs a natural-looking element, like this <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/seven-secrets-to-making-silk-plants-and.html" target="_blank">silk plant</a>. Other </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">choices  would be shells, wood, baskets, rocks, or fruit. These items don't need to</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">be real, but they need to look like they came from nature. Photo: Southern Living. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010402.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Vary the heights</span></i> <i><span style="font-size: small;">of your chosen objects to make a pleasing group. The tallest item is<br />usually the focal point. You can use a stack of books to build height.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">Feel free to mix real plants with silk plants, and to <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/ebony-and-ivory-ultimate-color-scheme.html" target="_blank">cover books</a> that don't "match."</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010363.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Whenever there is<a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/02/if-youve-got-location-flaunt-it-heres.html" target="_blank"> something special about your home</a>, emphasize it. Table decor<br />is an easy way top showcase specialness, like a water view or historic location. Note:<br />Many people will look at book spines and covers to judge owners and their tastes.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010330.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Some tables you will want to fill with lots of books, plants, baskets and bowls for a luxurious<br />display, and in other places a sparse setting like this one is all you need. It depends on your </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">home's style. Avoid displaying collections of things that might be too distracting.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="546" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010369.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-your-bathroom-staged-to-impress.html" target="_blank">bathroom</a> vanity is easy to stage. Use something shiny, something natural, and <br />something soft. Keep the color scheme simple, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/trends-that-can-update-your-home.html" target="_blank">trendy</a>, and refreshing. <br />Buyers want a bathroom that feels, looks and smells clean! </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="578" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010315.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A tray of any kind will unify a bunch of items. This silver tray provides a grounding<br />for a milk glass vase, some white books, and the shabby basket.<br />Remember not to stage with small valuables that could be stolen.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1010440.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Got nitty-gritty? Hide the unsexy things like remote controls and grooming essentials<br />in attractive baskets or boxes. They'll be handy but less obvious. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>An unstaged tabletop is a missed opportunity to impress a potential buyer. I hope you'll have fun clearing off and reinventing the flat surfaces in your home when you stage it to sell!<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I give you other ways to deliver the right messages to buyers in <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">my eBooks,</a> <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar,</i> and <i>No-Sew Curtains and Draperies to Stage Your Home</i>. Each eBook costs you just $5, but stretches your home staging budget from here, all the way to a purchase offer!</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>

A Photo Primer for Staging Your Tabletops

Counters, tables and other level surfaces are begging for decoration when it's time to stage your home.  Let's talk about the tables...

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Home Improvements That Deliver The Most Bang for Your Buck

<a href="http://img4-2.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/07/white-cottage-kitchen/white-neutral-cottage-kitchen-l.jpg?400:400" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img4-2.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/07/white-cottage-kitchen/white-neutral-cottage-kitchen-l.jpg?400:400" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141;">Fixing up your home can make your property more appealing to buyers. It can also reduce the time your home stays on the market. And fix-ups can get you a better selling price. </span><br /><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141;">But, there’s another side to home improvement projects. </span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141;">Some fixes actually waste the money you've spent on them when it’s time to sell. Some so-called upgrades may even make it more difficult for you to find a buyer.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141;">Let’s distinguish the loser projects from the winning projects. Since my blog is about home staging, this is not the time and place to recommend major kitchen and bath remodels. I think we all know that kitchen and bath upgrades, done right, have the sweetest return on investment. </span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141;">Let's focus on the more frugal, simple makeovers that add value to your property at selling time. It makes more sense to redecorate, update, and stage, than it does to remodel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Kitchens</span></b></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img4-3.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2009/03/idea-house-kitchens/kousa-creek-l.jpg?400:400" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img4-3.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2009/03/idea-house-kitchens/kousa-creek-l.jpg?400:400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Glass doors and crown molding give<br /> these cabinets their custom look. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>A kitchen dates a home faster than any other room, because kitchens follow decor and color trends. Yet, buyers have strong priorities when it comes to kitchens.<br /><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;">A major kitchen remodel (think big bucks) returns about 85 to 90% of your investment. <br /><br />If you’re selling your home soon, any of these quicker alternatives to the complete <span style="background-color: white;">makeover are more likely to pay for themselves.</span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><ul><li><span style="background-color: white;">Repainted white cabinets and new hardware, because white and grey are in style.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">Ceramic tile backsplash, for an oh-so-current look.</span><span style="background-color: white;">S</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">Solid surface countertop with that undermounted sink everyone loves.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">New </span><a href="http://www.efaucets.com/?siteID=4Mqa.w8eC4k-IfdIMB_hn5ih9GNXUYOrsg" target="_blank">faucet </a><span style="background-color: white;">that calls attention to itself.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">Under-cabinet lighting that comes at all price points.</span><span style="background-color: white;">Updated appliances (psst…they don’t have to be top of the line to still earn you additional points on an appraiser’s form, and to impress buyers).</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">Space-saving organizers like pull-out shelving.</span></li></ul></div><span style="background-color: white;">Remember that even a state-of-the-art, glamorous kitchen loses impact if your gutters are leaking, your heating system is antiquated, your roof is missing shingles, your updated wiring consists of yet another extension cord, and your toilets rock (not in a good way).</span><br /><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bathrooms</b></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img4-2.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/08/powder-rooms/powder-room-mirrored-vanity-l.jpg?400:400" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img4-2.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/08/powder-rooms/powder-room-mirrored-vanity-l.jpg?400:400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Light and bright goes a long way. Mirrors, <br />lamps and pale colors work wonders. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="gsubhead" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; margin: 0in;">You can get all crazy, bust through some walls, re-plumb the room, yank the standard tub and replace it with a steam shower or spa tub, install heated ceramic flooring, and upgrade the vanity to the latest style topped with granite, but unless your home is high end to begin with, these upgrades may not pay for themselves at the closing table. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="gsubhead" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; margin: 0in;"><br />Instead, give your bathroom added value by making it look new without changing the floorplan. Toilets, sinks, faucets, vanities, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/01/no-sew-window-treatments-why-stitch.html" target="_blank">window treatments</a>, paint, and mirrors are not that expensive.</div><div class="gsubhead" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; margin: 0in;"><br />Study the look of luxury baths and imitate them with your accessories and color schemes.<br /><br />Scrub your tub until it shines, no matter what color it is. Clear off the surfaces. Introduce a light scent. Paint with a space-expanding hue. Invest in beautiful towels. Update the hardware.  <o:p></o:p></div><div class="gsubhead" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; margin: 0in;"></div><div class="gsubhead" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; margin: 0in;">The cost of a totally remodelled bath can return itself about 93%. But cosmetic changes can have a big impact on perceived value, so go for a refreshed look on a shoestring!<o:p></o:p></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.1pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outside Upgrades</b></span></span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img4-1.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2004/09/freshen-front-door/main-m.jpg?300:300" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img4-1.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2004/09/freshen-front-door/main-m.jpg?300:300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Front <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/girls-guide-to-painting-your-front-door.html" target="_blank">entrance makeovers</a> don't have to bust the budget. <br />Sometimes, paint and <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-container-plantings-can-help-you.html" target="_blank">plants </a>are all it takes.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">How your home’s exterior looks will affect its fair market value. Make your home look inviting with an appealing exterior.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe the budget won’t allow new cement board siding or a total repaint (although painting an exterior can increase a home’s value by more than what it costs), but you can hose it down or pressure-wash it.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some other thrifty alternatives that will help make your house show well.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br /><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Replace or <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/girls-guide-to-painting-your-front-door.html" target="_blank">paint the front door </a>so it looks new. Make the door match and enhance the style of your home.</span></span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paint just the trim of your home – what’s around the windows and doors, the corner boards, the fascia and soffit under the eves. New paint in these places brings a home to life.</span></span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clean up the landscape. Drive the best neighborhoods in your area, and study what the professional landscapers have done there. Copy the look with the funds you have available. If nothing else, declutter and mulch, especially in the area in front of your home.</span></span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;">Money spent on a new deck, patio, or porch, will give a good return. Exterior remodeling projects like this are better candidates for homeowner projects than interior remodeling projects. Can you do it yourself? Exterior add-ons of outdoor living spaces, carefully done, have the illusion and even the function of added square footage.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Make sure exterior hardware looks cared for. Are exterior lights operating? Do they need replacing or painting? How’s the doorknob, hinges and other hardware around the front door? Check handrails and even the mailbox to see if they want fresh paint. </span></span></li></ul><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">Spending Is Easy, Recouping Isn’t</span></b><br /><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img4-3.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/04/outdoor-rooms/arbor-patio-floor-l.jpg?400:400" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img4-3.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/04/outdoor-rooms/arbor-patio-floor-l.jpg?400:400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Some lumber and some brick are all it took<br />to increase the living space of this home.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #333333;">The hard facts are that with most home remodels, you never get your money back instantly. It’s only when you plan to stay in your home awhile, and you get to enjoy the improvements, that you reap rewards. And these rewards may not be financial, but the satisfaction of living in a home you love. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">Factor into your decisions about how to spend fix-up costs, the statistic that most Americans stay in their homes an average of only seven years, and that even though you plan to stay longer, you might not. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">One statistic stands out: that cleaning, decluttering and home staging give you unbelievable returns! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">A survey of 600 national real estate professionals shows that cleaning and decluttering can yield returns worth over 500% actual cost. I’m guessing the figure is that high because elbow grease is free. And because these actions have a huge visual impact.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">These same realtors rated professional home staging returning almost 300% of the cost. In this case, I am guessing that home staging you do yourself will return even better numbers. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">The other investments realtors rate as valuable are lightening and brightening, which returns over 300%, and landscaping, which returns over 250%, and electric and plumbing  repairs, which return about 180%.    <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;"><span style="color: #414141;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">If you are a homeowner</span></b>, chances are you’ll sell your home someday. Meanwhile, spending money to improve your home can be tricky. </span>If you are going to go crazy with spending, the place to do it is with the basic systems (plumbing, electrical, structural, roofing, painting, HVAC), and with cleaning, decluttering, and thrifty home staging. </div><div style="background: white; margin: 0.25in 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.45pt;">In my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>, I describe how to give buyers the features they want, even if you don't have the latest, greatest version of these features. Downloading your copy is quick and easy, and you'll get over 150 illustrated pages of how-tos, techniques, projects, advice and encouragement.<br /><br /><i>All Photos: Southern Living </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a4570; font-family: Georgia;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a4570; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><span style="color: #1a4570; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>

Home Improvements That Deliver The Most Bang for Your Buck

Fixing up your home can make your property more appealing to buyers. It can also reduce the time your home stays on the market. And fix-ups ...

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Yes, You Can Learn to Stage Your Home from a Magazine

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1710.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>If you are thinking the rooms in your home can look better to home buyers, but you aren't sure how to do it yourself, there's a fast and fun way to bring your know-how up to speed.<br /><br />Besides reading my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">ebook</a>!<br /><br />My suggestion is to peruse the pages of <a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/">Traditional Home Magazine</a>, where the tagline is "Classic Taste,  Modern Life."<br /><br />Isn't that the same message you want your home to whisper in the ear of buyers?<br /><br />Are you stuck on <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-arrange-furniture-most-common.html">how to arrange furniture</a>? Do you stare at your rooms and ponder what tweaks will make them more inviting, more comfortable, more coordinated, more <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/trends-that-can-update-your-home.html">fashionable</a>, more luxurious? Do you wonder what's the best use of <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/06/stage-your-home-with-books-heres-how.html">bookcases and shelving</a>? Are you looking for an idea for a floral arrangement? Confused about <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/finally-simple-formula-to-help-you.html">color schemes</a>? Flooring choices? Curtain styles?<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I know what you are thinking. </b><span style="font-size: small;">"My</span><b> </b><span style="font-size: small;">house doesn't resemble the homes in home decor  magazines, not by a long shot." It doesn't matter. Even if your home is a modest cottage, or an ordinary 1980's ranch house, or an ultra modern condo, or a sparse country lodge, a mobile home, or an old-fashioned farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. </span></span>The home decor pictured in Traditional Home demonstrates basic principles of good design and interior decoration. <br /><br />There are lessons to be learned here if you know what to look for.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1716.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The first lesson</b></span> is to wear your staging spectacles. Ask yourself, "What in these photographs makes the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/12/furniture-that-makes-rooms-look-larger.html">rooms look bigger</a>, fresher, friendlier?"  Examples will be color schemes, tabletop and mantel accessories, window treatments, furniture choices, and furniture arrangements.   <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">The second lesson</span></b> is to think like a buyer. "What in this photo would be a deal breaker if I were ready to make an offer?" Some examples would be dark wall color, built-in fixtures with too much personality (like an orange Formica countertop, outdated appliances, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-kiss-wallpaper-goodbye.html">wallpaper</a>, or landscaping that is very high maintenance).<br /><br />Traditional Home is just another "shelter" magazine (the best in my opinion). It's not a manual about home staging, but it can still get your eye accustomed to what really good design and decor look like.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn by Example and Copy The Best</b></span><br /><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1713.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1713.jpg" width="488" /></a><br />Let's look at this one photo to see what we can glean from it.<br /><br />It's from the October 2009 issue of Traditional Home, and it's the dining room in the home of my absolute favorite designer, <a href="http://henrybrowninteriors.com/">Henry Brown</a>. <br /><br />Here are the elements that I think make this room so drop-dead gorgeous, and suitable for a staged home.<br /><br />These are all elements easy to imitate.   <br /><ul><li>The colors are soothing. The color scheme is monochromatic, a selection of warm greys and whites. </li><li>Nothing is tiny or distracting. All the accessories are fabulously over-sized.</li><li>There are "signs of life" (plants). Henry Brown <a href="http://henrybrowninteriors.com/"></a>owns a <a href="http://www.bedfordbrown.com/">home and garden store and greenhouse</a>, so his plants are always real, but yours can be <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/seven-secrets-to-making-silk-plants-and.html">silks</a>. </li><li>A big mirror enlarges the space. There's only one table, one potted plant here. Even if you don't have and can't afford a huge mirror, small mirrors bounce light and confuse the eye about boundaries.  </li><li>Natural light fills the space. If sunlight doesn't flood your dining area, artificial lighting can make up for it.  </li></ul><span style="font-size: large;"><b>There's Nothing Wrong with Stealing Ideas </b></span><br />Here are more ideas you can bootleg (a word I prefer over "hack").<br /><ul><li>A set of four simple wooden <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/painted-furniture-home-stagings-friend.html">chairs can be painted</a> and upholstered to look comfy and glamorous. </li><li>Candlesticks and other accessories don't have to match. Table doesn't have to match chairs.</li><li>A room divider can let light enter the room, and be made from simple strips of lumber.  </li><li> Some items look pristine, and other items look weathered and aged. If everything you have is out-of-the-box new, add some props with patina. And if your rooms look too <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-home-stagers-can-learn-from-shabby.html">shabby</a>, add items that show off their new-ness. It's a balance. </li></ul><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In this photo </b></span>of a kitchen from the same issue, we can learn some staging tricks that will work in almost any home.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1711.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><br /><ul><li>Corbels, feet, and crown moulding added to cabinets can put a custom spin on builder grade cabinets.</li><li>Dark wood floors and white kitchen cabinetry will never go out of style. </li><li>Wicker chairs can be dressed up with small slipcovers to introduce some pattern into the space.</li><li>A giant bowl of apples and a package of spaghetti make interesting and <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/finishing-touches-department-where-to.html">inexpensive kitchen staging props</a>. </li><li>A wooden top on a center island turns it into an eating area.</li></ul>Try it yourself, and see what fresh ideas you walk away with when you spend some relaxing time lost in the pages of Traditional Home. They don't pay me to say this. I have issues dating back to 2000. Does that tell you my drug of choice?<br /><br />And while you're thinking of how to make yourself a better homestager, check out my ebook<a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>, and see what's in store for you for the price of one issue of Traditional Home.    <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br />  <br /><br />

Yes, You Can Learn to Stage Your Home from a Magazine

If you are thinking the rooms in your home can look better to home buyers, but you aren't sure how to do it yourself, there's a fast...

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The Truth About Magic Erasers. Are They Spongeworthy?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.meijer.com/assets/product_images/styles/xlarge/1001029_037000042495_A_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.meijer.com/assets/product_images/styles/xlarge/1001029_037000042495_A_400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Whenever I hear someone rave about Magic Erasers, she'll usually end her remarks with something like, "Of course, they are probably carcinogenic."<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">What's the Scoop? </span></b><br /><br />Americans are accustomed to thinking that every new "miraculous" product or cure-all is going to have a backlash, that anything really delightful (bacon, ice cream, margaritas, chocolate ...) is going to come with a steep payoff in health or good looks.<br /><br />I am happy to report that such is not the case with Magic Erasers. These cleaning sponges are made from melamine foam. That's right, the same material that budget dinnerware is made from.<br /><br />When melamine resin cures into foam, its microstructure becomes very hard -- almost as hard as glass -- and that makes this open cell structure act on stains like super-fine sandpaper. As soon as the melamine cell structure gets wet, it <span class="answerbag_vibrant">breaks down into a microscopic abrasive eraser. It grabs </span>grit and grease, then holds the dirt in the sponge to be rinsed away. Nifty!<br /><br />Rumors online indicated that these melamine foam erasers could cause serious health problems because they contained formaldehyde, and had the potential to cause chemical burns, but these turned out to be false.<br /><br />Actually, the sponge is made <i>using </i>formaldehyde. The chemical in the sponge is formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer, a different compound. It means that there are very large polymer molecules which structurally resemble formaldehyde.<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b><span style="font-size: small;">Not to worry. You can still have a spotless home, ready for the real estate market. </span><b><br /></b></span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9641.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9641.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Do you think it's time to replace my sponge? Hey, I'm frugal! </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>When To Use Magic Erasers</b></span><br /><br />I'm a big fan of Magic Erasers because they do things that other cleaners don't.<br /><br />They let you trap and remove oil based stains and marks without having to use a de-greaser. That's a huge advantage because it means no caustic chemicals to breath or pollute. Love that!<br /><br />Perhaps the people who appreciate these sponges most are moms of children who get get inspired with crayons and markers. But here are some other uses home stagers can appreciate.  <br /><ul><li>Remove rust stains from PVC pipes under sinks, behind toilets, and on the floor of the vanity. </li><li>Get the interior of your dishwasher white again. </li><li>Clean the oven to look like new.  </li><li>Clean stains from your smooth top stove. </li><li>Get scuff marks and stains off vinyl flooring.</li><li>Remove the water mark from the sides of your pool. </li><li>Make glass shower doors sparkle. </li><li>Pull stains out of carpets and rugs. </li><li>Refresh older laminate countertops like nobody's business. </li></ul><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>When Not To Use These Sponges</b></span>.<br /><br />The eraser sponge can <span id="cleanprint_content">burnish flat paint or dull shiny paint if you scrub hard. But if you have to use it on painted walls, it will be easier than painting the entire wall when you aren't able to do paint touch-ups. You can minimize sheen differences if you proceed with caution, using the least pressure necessary.   </span><br /><br />Do not use on wood paneling or varnished wood surfaces. Do not use on skin or animals. Do not use on delicate fabrics. Test leather in an inconspicuous spot before using.<br /><br />I've found that rinsing is crucial to the success of Magic Erasers. They will leave a visible white residue on some surfaces, like shower doors.<br /><br />I've also discovered that the generic knockoffs available at dollar stores and discount big box stores are just as good as the name brand. Sorry, Baldy. But you're still a spongeworthy guy.   <br /><br />I give lots more advice and cleaning tips in my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. </i>If your home is on the market, or you are getting your home ready to sell, you need my book.<i>  </i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>

The Truth About Magic Erasers. Are They Spongeworthy?

Whenever I hear someone rave about Magic Erasers, she'll usually end her remarks with something like, "Of course, they are probably...

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Are You a Granite Snob?

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The vanity countertops</b></span> we’re installing are resin, or so-called cultured marble, and have built-in sinks. For the kitchen counters, we shopped for granite, quartz, Corian, and laminates. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">I know that buyers hyperventilate over granite counters, but for homes in our price range, we decided granite amounted to over-fixing. We doubted we’d get our money back, so we chose a stone-like black laminate that Mr. Carpenter will install in the kitchen, on the pass-through counter, and in the dry bar off the living room.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Frankly, I think granite is over-rated. </b></span>Sure, it’ll last hundreds of years, and it’s cold and smooth and shiny, but it’s not exactly maintenance-free. It needs to be sealed professionally.  After installation you’ll need to use special cleaners, not all-purpose sprays or abrasives, which can compromise the sealer and dull and discolor the granite itself.  </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">With granite as countertops, if certain spills aren’t dealt with quickly, they can etch the surface.  That means everyday cosmetics and toiletries like perfume and mouthwash, as well as common foods like citrus, coffee and oils, can be detrimental to your precious granite.  </div><div align="left">  </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Harborwalk/Mstbathvanity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Harborwalk/Mstbathvanity.jpg" width="484" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The vanities in both baths already matched, so I gave them matching faucets </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>and raised them both to a sexier 35.5-inch height. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/drawerhardware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/drawerhardware.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Justifying the cost of granite didn't add up, so I chose an attractive laminate </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">to replace the (gag) butcherblock kitchen laminate.   </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Give me my plastics! </b></span> Laminates like Formica are easy to take care of, are reasonably priced, outlive the homeowners, and come in all kinds of styles and colors.      <br /><br />At our condo, we’re trying to put money where it will give good returns. It was easier than we thought to bring the vanities up a few inches to a trendier 35.5-inch height. Mr. Lucky removed the faucets, and then he and Mr. Carpenter eased out the old sinks and countertops. They had to enlarge the opening at the back of each vanity cabinet to accommodate the existing plumbing since it now entered the cabinet at a different level.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>All it took </b></span>was a 3.5-inch board at the base of each vanity, acting as a new kickplate. Then they were screwed back in place on the wall. I think this is an exciting way to get a contemporary look without replacing the whole cabinet, and all it takes is basic carpentry skills, some muscle, a little lumber, and a lick of paint.    <br /><br />It’s worth mentioning that all the metal we pull out of the unit – old pipes, faucets, cabinet hardware, light fixtures – we are hauling to the recycle center and getting cash in return. We donated the still-good bathroom sinks to Habitat For Humanity ReStore.

Are You a Granite Snob?

The vanity countertops we’re installing are resin, or so-called cultured marble, and have built-in sinks. For the kitchen counters, we shop...

Read more »