Call Courtney at
(512) 481-8811
austin home staging
When staging a house, the more detailed oriented the better. Towels are some of the best staging props that exist. If you didn’t know, TOWELS SPEAK! Fresh clean towels say a lot about your home! They can make a laundry room feel fresh and inviting. A beautiful stack of towels in a bathroom says luxury and provides a spa-like environment. When staging a home, the more “unused” it looks and feels, the more likely buyers are going to relate. Strategically use towels when preparing your home for sale. It is simple, easy and affordable. Purchase a fresh set of towels and fold them in a beautiful stack as pictured below. Place them at an angle on your washer or dryer…it makes it appear as if you just finished folding some fresh towels. If you can spritz them with a linen spray, even better! Austin Simple Staging gets extremely detailed so we lure buyers to your home! For an austin home staging estimate, contact us! (512) 585-9550
Watch this YouTube video to learn how to fold towels your pefectly! It is a model home look for free!
How To Fold a Towel…Perfectly!
I have worked with these homeowners on a number of fronts. We staged their previous home and it was under contract within 15 days! They have since moved into a new home where they remodeled the entire first floor. Check out the before and after photos below! They have began to settle into their new home; therefore, the staging has commenced. Staging is not just for preparing a home for sale but can also be utilized to shape a room for life! We are trying to utilize the majority of what they own and add a few new accessories. This house has been a work in progress but we wanted to share the most recent photos! Please post a comment and let us know your thoughts!
BEFORE
The home had chocolate brown concrete floors and the fireplace unit was a bit awkward. The homeowners wanted a much more warm and inviting feeling which we definitely accomplished!
AFTER
We made some major improvements. We chose a beautiful maple, wide planked floor. It automatically changed the feeling of the room. We had the T.V. unit refinished to match the kitchen cabinets. The T.V. unit now flows very nicely with the white molding. We went with a soft white cabinet color and finished them out with a soft chocolate colored glaze. We had it glazed just enough to hang up in the cracks but not to much. Be careful when glazing cabinet doors, too much glaze can make them extremely busy. The entire first floor was also repainted a soft and inviting neutral.
In regards to staging, the homeowner wanted to go with a “Nest” theme. It is such a great feeling to nestle into a new home. The bird pillows on the couch were purchased from Pottery Barn and we continued this theme into the dining room as well. Otherwise, we have tried to utilize the furniture they previously owned. It is a great place for children to play and a wonderful place to entertain. We purchased new white baskets to organize the kids toys, look at the difference in the white baskets vs. the darker baskets. The white baskets are such a lighter, airier look.
BEFORE
This is a beautiful kitchen, no question, but it wasn’t the owner’s taste! The homeowners wanted a much more airy and fresh feeling kitchen. The cabinets in this photo are a crackle paint that made the kitchen look and feel a bit dated. The combination of the back splash, counters and cabinets gave the kitchen an overall orange tone. The homeowners wanted to get away from orange and bring in more neutral tones. The appliances were also outdated. Notice the island and the placement of the stove (all of this was modified, see below). Also notice the sink in the before photo…check it out in the after photo! You can never have a big enough sink!
AFTER
This kitchen went from drab and dated to fabulous and updated! The kitchen is now airy and fresh feeling. We moved away from orange and moved towards yellows and taupe’s. We purchase granite for the counters and a rock like backsplash. When choosing granite it is extremely important to make sure it pulls the overall tone you are looking for. In this case we wanted a golden color and we got just that! All the appliacnes were updated to LG Stainless Steel. We purchased them at Aus Tex appliances, a place I would highly suggest checking out if you need new appliances. We installed travertine floors which are much more resistant to children and messes than hardwood. You have to be extremely careful with wood in regards to spills. Travertine is much more durable in the kitchen, especially if you have children. The owners installed under the cabinet lighting and notice how it lights up the backsplash. We also provided some contrast in the kitchen by making the island stand out from the outer cabinets. A dark brown was chosen and the island was extended to provide a small bar. If you need help or suggestions with your remodeling project contact Austin Simple Staging your premier Austin Home Staging Company! (512) 585-9550
BEFORE
One person’s or families taste is simply not another’s! Check out the before photo and notice the difference of the new lighting fixture!
AFTER
The home owners picked out this gorgeous chandelier and what a difference it makes. This room now has such elegance and class. The table was purchased from Pottery Barn and the place settings from World Market. To break up a wood table and chair set, purchase two accent chairs and place one at each end of the table. It gives a space a ton of character! Don’t worry about it matching perfectly, variety is good! This room really needs a rug under the table but often times practically rules! With children and messy eaters, it just isn’t possible! Either way this room is stunning and looks ready for a party!
11304 Hollister Circle is Staged and up for sale! I worked with Realtor Seth Koppel to prepare this home. This Austin home features 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and is located in the Austin, TX subdivision of Somerset Estates in Circle C. This listing is offered at $429,500 with 3,712 sq ft. The home was built in 2006.
MLS #2209415
*Photography by Real Tour
If you are trying to sell your home during the spring/summer this is exactly what the outside should look like. Well kept, immaculate and absolutely stunning. If possible try to add a bit of color to your plant beds. It makes for such a cheery entrance. Set the stage for buyers before they even enter! Notice the windows of this home, they have been recently cleaned and what a difference it makes! Remove all screens and solar screens from front of your house- it increases curb appeal.
When entering this home, this room starts the tour. At the onset it had way to much furniture and too many small accent tables. By removing the small pieces and keeping the larger furniture it automatically decluttered the room. The red couch and red accents makes the room memorable! Notice the simple floor lamp in the back corner. Adding ambient lighting to a room always takes it to the next level! Check out IKEA for these type of floor lamps. They are cheap and do the job!
It is important to keep dining rooms simple yet elegant. In this situation we left a table runner and simple contemporary (yet old fashioned) fish tank as the centerpiece. We turned the fish tank into a flower arrangement. The best part of staging is the opportunity to reuse and repurpose items the seller already has. On the server we left two lamps and a simple bowl of glass fruit. This is a huge dining room but we left it very simple in regards to decor. Look what happens once photos are taken…it is just enough to do the job!
This home has a stunning and open kitchen. It is important to showcase the kitchen and not the items on the counter top. We left a few strategic pieces in the kitchen but not too much. Need help staging your kitchen? Austin Simple Staging can most definitely help in that department! Austin home staging is right at your finger tips- Call today to set up an appointment (512) 585-9550.
This particular family did an incredible job of executing the staging recap they were provided. By utilizing Austin Simple Staging you will receive a customized staging recap that acts as a to-do list! After the two hour staging consultation it can be tough to remember all the details we recommend! They set the dining room table just perfect and it looks stunning!
Here are some suggestions to help stage your home and prepare it for buyers! The more detailed you are when staging your home, the more buyers think you care and take care of your property! So pull out all the stops and get creative with Austin Simple Staging!
These are a few tips and tricks that we use on an every day basis for
austin home staging, and now you can try them too!
Idea #1- Simplify your Tables
Check out this side table and lamp below. We simply cleared all the clutter from the table and strategically placed a few books on the side. The reason for this is A) It looks classy and unique as a lamp and bookend, but more importantly B) It lets buyers know this would be a great place to sit down, unwind and read a great book. The more we can invoke feelings of peace and relaxation to a buyer, the better. Notice the blinds are open letting in the sunlight. Always open the draperies and blinds to allow the space to seem bright and airy!
Idea #2- Prepare the Dining Room For A Party
This place setting, flower arrangement, and wall art were placed in a dining room that had previously been vacant. Bringing in a table and chairs lets buyers know the purpose of this room. It also shows how nicely a table and chairs can fit in the space. Often times the size of a room can seem distorted to buyers when left empty. Therefore, we always want to give them some sort of scale in which to go off. This might sound crazy to someone who is moving out of their home, but go ahead and set the dining table! A nicely dressed dining table is always a great idea to get buyers imagining entertaining in the space, and it just looks beautiful! We love to have most things in the home be of neutral colors, but bringing in a splash of color like the red done here give the room POP! Buyer are more likely to remember room that POP!
Idea #3- Turn Your Master Bathroom Into A Spa
This bathroom was absolutely gorgeous to begin with but we were able to accentuate it’s beauty by adding a plant and some candles next to the bathtub. That’s a trick that anyone with a ledge next to their bathtub can try. Using new/matching towels is a good idea when staging to bring a feel of cohesiveness to your home. Using any mismatched, holiday or scraggly towels sends the wrong message to a buyer. Another tip is to place a basket with some spa like items near the tub or on the bathroom counter like we did here. A pretty bottle of soap near the sink is a nice touch and remember to clear all other clutter off the counter tops!
Idea #4- Give Bedrooms Symmetry
Placing a lamp on both sides of a bed is great to give the room symmetry and to maximize the light in every bedroom. You’d be surprised how many buyers get turned off by a house just because it seems too dark, so light it up! Placing a light, airy plant or other small accessory next to one of the lamps in a room can make the space feel more inviting and fresh. Look how precious this flower is and it’s simply just one sprig placed in a small vase, very simple! Austin Simple Staging helps keep your staging experience simple and straightforward. Austin Home Staging is the your key to a beautifully staged home that will help attract buyers!
Idea #5- Kitchen Counters- Keep it Simple
Here we see two places where we have set the scene nicely. We used a bottle of wine and wine glasses in the forefront and with the coffee maker in the background. We simply placed the bottle of wine on a small cutting board and dropped a couple of wine corks inside the wine glasses for a fun touch. On the back counter top, we choose to leave out a coffee maker that had stainless steel on it that matched all the other appliances in the room. We left out two coffee mugs and placed pretty napkins in each to give it some drama. Once buyers see the wine and coffee arrangements, they will immediately start envisioning themselves having a glass of wine or some coffee in the space, and that is exactly what we want because it makes a person start feeling more comfortable in the home.
For a FREE Austin Home Staging Estimate CALL Austin Simple Staging
(512) 585-9550
My most recent project has been one of pure pleasure! I had an opportunity to work with Tory Ketter from Keller Williams to stage 1607 Travis Heights Blvd. This is a beautiful home that sits on a corner lot in Travis Heights, Austin TX. The floor plan is ingenious and the attention to detail is outstanding! I was brought on board to turn what was a very nice bachelor pad into a stunning and attractive home for sale! Austin Simple Staging is a full service austin home staging business who can help you accomplish the exact same look! The incredible before & after photos are listed below.
We took what was a beautiful home that had a lived in feeling and made it appear more like a model home. Buyers are not visual, they struggle to see beyond what lies in front of them. Therefore, we must do the work for them. We must make the home look and attract to every single person who walks through the door! There is no question what we achieved below will attract buyers and leave them wanting to move in! Way to go to everyone who participated in this project! Call today for a free austin home staging estimate!
For more information contact Tory Ketter @ (512) 699-8867
For a free home staging estimate: CALL (512) 585-9550
MLS # 9954532
BEFORE
AFTER
All of the furniture pictured below was rented as well as the accessories. All of the props and accessories seen below are property of Austin Simple Staging. Notice what a dramatic, sophisticated and simple floral arrangement can do for a room. We set four place settings to give the room an even more formal look and feel. When you set a dining room table, it is often times best to do just 2 or 4 place settings as it can get a bit busy. Check out the window and what an amazing focal point it is! We opened up the draperies as much as possible to show off the window and to flood the house with light! Notice in the before photo the gorgeous chandelier just blends in; yet in the after photo it becomes the centerpiece. It is incredibly important when buying/renting a dining room table that it doesn’t take over the room. Notice the spacious feel of the room! Attractive, airy and inviting! It works every time!
BEFORE
AFTER
This room showcases one of the biggest differences! This is a perfect example of what austin home staging can help you accomplish! We rented all of the furniture and what a fresh feeling it provides! It is important when selling your home the furniture and the home are on the same level! If buyers desire your home, they think it is worth more. Investing in home staging gives you one last opportunity to make your home feel as updated as possible! This home has a fresh and airy feeling; therefore, we continued that theme with the furniture and accessories! Bottom line…the furniture and accessories must coordinate with one another and be on the same level!
BEFORE
AFTER
Plant life can work wonders in a room! Check out the simple orchid and bamboo tree we strategically placed in this room. In comparison to the before photo, the room feels very lively. Fake plants are always the way to go! They are of course easier to take care of and will always look good for potential buyers! Also notice the pop of color in the room. Here we went with chocolate brown; however, feel free to pick any color you like. Whatever you choose, just run with it! Use the “pop color” at least three times/room. For example, we have the chocolate brown chairs and multiple coordinating pillows! Can you say WOW…and that’s what buyers will say too!
BEFORE
AFTER
In order for a bedroom to reach it’s full potential, it must have a dramatic centerpiece above the bed. In this instance a large piece of artwork did the job! It is important on two fronts: 1) It makes your on-line photos pop and 2) It makes the room feel much more substantial. By hiring a home stager we make sure your home shows at it’s full potential! Notice the pillows on the bed- fewer pillows is better for both photos and showings! Less is more! It was a nice bedroom before, but now it is absolutely stunning!
BEFORE
AFTER
Bathrooms never require much but a little tidying! Notice the small yet subtle detail of tying the towels with some raffia. This gives a bathroom an unused and spa like feeling. We want a home to feel lived in but not used! (Not exactly the easiest thing to accomplish!) Yet is is possible! Hint: When trying to keep your bathroom staged for showings, hang the towels you use on a clothes hanger and place all wettowels in your closet. This ensures your bathroom is always ready to be shown! Placing a small plant in one of the following places adds a nice touch to any bathroom 1) on a counter 2) on the back of the toilet or 3) on the back of a bathtub.
BEFORE
AFTER
If a home is three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths…buyers expect to see exactly that when touring! In this case we had two bedrooms and an office! Therefore, we rented furniture and turned this cluttered office back into it’s rightful purpose! What a difference this will make when buyers tour! The bedroom is just gorgeous and incredibly inviting! There is absolutely no reason to clutter nightstands. Notice there is just one small accessory on each night stand…always remember LESS IS MORE! Thanks for visiting Austin Simple Staging’s blog and if we can of assistance to you in preparing your home, please give us a call at (512) 585-9550!
Thanks to everyone involved:
Tory Ketter- Realtor, Keller Williams
Brook Furniture Rental – Cris Nelson
Harts Carpet Cleaning – David Hart
Austin Home Staging Assistant – Nina McNeill
Homeowner- Bruce
