Photos by Kate Mercer
There’s nothing quite like stepping through the front door after a long day. It’s finally time to set down the keys, kick off your shoes, grab some supper and enjoy a little down time before crawling into bed. But when you come home to a messy, unorganized or unsightly home, it’s hard to find that respite.
Now imagine placing those keys in a tray by the door, inhaling the fragrance of fresh flowers and settling into a home that could just about be company ready anytime. It may seem too good to be true — and just not realistic — but local stager and designer Stephanie Cunningham shares just a few small changes that can transform your home into the ultimate space you’ve always dreamed of.
Whether you’re looking to stage a home for company, to sell or just to freshen up, these seven tips will help create a clean new look in your home without spending too much time, energy or money.
Organize clutter
Find baskets and boxes with lids to hide mail, pens, charging cords, remotes, etc. Having less “visual clutter” helps a space feel more put together and less overwhelming. This helps to actually see a space for what it is and enjoy it.
Go Green
I always love using small house plants or fresh flowers to enhance a space. The texture and color in plants adds warmth. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are some great resources out there that sell faux greenery that look realistic.
Add Layers & Textures
Adding throw pillows, rugs or a blanket with different colors and textures provides multiple layers in a space and adds dimension. I like to incorporate hues of blue, green and orange when it comes to pillows on neutral upholstery. Metallics are nice as well. Layering a space could also include adding trinkets and decor on a coffee table, built-ins or accent tables. I like to use oversized coffee table books, small dishes or pottery, as well as potted greenery or a pretty vase with fresh flowers for some height. You could also use a small box to put TV remotes or coasters in and stack on some coffee table books or an oversized tray.
Give it a Glow
The glow and ambiance a candle or lamp gives off instantly makes a space feel warm and cozy. When staging homes, I often use multiple lamps or candles in a space. The home is seen in a “different light,” literally. Warm bulbs cast a cozier setting versus “daylight” bulbs that cast a cooler light. My favorite bulbs to use are ones that cast a cozier light. When referencing light color, look at the box and scale that says “warm to cool;” stick with the warmer side of scale. Typically 2700k — 3000k are best.
Let There be Light
Open window coverings and let the light in! Natural light always creates a warm space, as well as neutral-colored paint. I always recommend a warmer, neutral white to freshen up spaces. Paint is one of the most reasonable and cost-effective updates you can make to a space. With a white, you can furnish with neutral pieces and add in color with window treatments, decor, pillows and floor coverings. Neutral paint instantly makes a space feel new, even if it’s an older home.
Find a Focal Point
This can prove to be a challenge in some spaces. Furniture is best placed focusing on the architectural focal point in the room, but also arranged in how the flow of foot traffic will go. Place your focal furniture piece first and work off of that one. Make sure the room is visually balanced as well. Try to stand at the entrance of the room and survey the space. This will help you identify the focal point, as well as walkways through the space.
Proper Proportions
Use properly scaled furniture, art, and accessories to make sure a room is furnished correctly. For large spaces, use larger scale pieces, and smaller spaces, smaller scale. This can have a heavy influence on whether a room feels cluttered or cold.
