Well, greige is the same concept; it’s actually a new twist on the neutral color, taupe.  As with all colors, there are many variations within one tone.  Safe and easy beige instantly becomes sophisticated taupe when mixed with gray and is also known as “warm gray.”  No matter the style or design of your home, this versatile color makes a great backdrop.

Paint:  Charleston Gray, Farrow & Ball

Paint:  London Clay (244), Farrow & Ball

Analytical Gray (SW-7051) Sherwin-Williams

image source:  www.houseandhome.com

Have you used greige in your home?  What are your thoughts?

I think a rug to anchor the sitting area would be ideal, but I have two dogs (i.e. a lot of fur) so I decided to forego the rug.  Don’t think you have to buy everything new to stage a home to sell.  For example, I borrowed these two tables which I used to create a “coffee table” to better define this area.  Even better – my friend gave me this sofa when she bought a new one!    The chair on the right was moved from the living room.  It’s a win-win since it adds a much needed chair to this area and adds more spaciousness to the living room.

Going with a neutral color scheme is safest when staging a home but you also have to consider the decorating styles of your area.  Here in sunny South Florida, colors are everywhere.  For heaven’s sake, I’ve seen the exterior of  houses painted bright yellow, blue, orange, pink and purple here!  Even so, I stuck with yellow as a primary color and added splashes of red in all of the living areas.

Here’s the office/den before…

Yes, the big storage -black-hole -in -the -wall is gone.  NOW, it’s a functional space.  I just wish I would’ve done this a long time ago!

The back side of the new closet previously looked like this (below – at Christmas)…see the opening in the wall behind the tree?  Yes, I pitifully tried to “cover” it with a curtain  – which my husband referred to as a “puppet theater.”  :)

…but look at it now!

The hole in the wall is gone!  It’s been replaced with a real wall – with real art!

FYI, the terra cotta paint in the dining room is gone now too.  Too many colors can make a house look smaller than it actually is.  Guess what color it is now….

Yep – it’s yellow too (the wall on the right).  I bet that was tough to guess!  ;)

How about one more big change for just a little money?  My daughter never wanted closet doors in her room which was great since there weren’t any in place when we bought the house.  Instead, we used some silk curtains in her favorite color. However, for staging we needed to make her closet more appealing to buyers (and to her sweet but obsessively organizing mom!).

I already feel calmer looking at the closet doors (with everything neatly organized behind there, of course!).    We also purchased a new bed-in-a-bag set to finish off her newly decluttered room.  There are some pluses to living in a staged home!

Be sure to share your comments!  :)

Photo:  HGTV

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/before-and-after-makeovers-from-the-stagers/pictures/index.html

One of the most important things you can do when trying to stage your home is to consider  ”the problems areas”  for potential buyers.  It might be something as simple as thinning out an overfilled closet or decluttering.  Sometimes, it requires a minor remodel.  Buyers want to see themselves living in your house…and they can’t do that very well when your style is “in their face.”  De-personalization is the key.  To sell, it’s important to create an updated look.

If you have a trouble spot in your house that you’re not sure how to handle, how will a potential buyer?  Don’t make them guess…they’ll go to the next house on the market where they don’t have to guess.

Check out this BEFORE photo:

Here’s the deal:  Nobody wants to see your stuff – unless it’s something they want in their own home.  SO…

#1.  Declutter

#2.  The space at the far end of the desk is a major trouble spot.  It was a wet bar in a previous life (there were still pipes for the water line extending from the wall).  The previous homeowners cut an opening in the back wall to create a display area.  They added greenery and a statue.  Since that was not our particular taste when we bought the house,  we had to come up with a plan for that space.  Creating more storage space is a plus for any home so that’s the route we took.  (At the time of this photo it was serving as a holding area for storage that had been displaced during another DIY project…nice…).

Clutter?  No more!  Now it’s all neatly organized inside the closet…the perfect solution.

For those of you with an eye for detail, you probably noticed the missing baseboard in the bottom right corner of the picture…don’t worry, it’s coming.  I just couldn’t wait to get the closet set up!

Next?  ”Decluttering” the cables under the desk and placing the shredder inside the closet.

I just wanted to share this whimsical piece of art added to the closet wall for a little punch of color.  I don’t know why, but it just makes me smile!

Layers of pattern and color make a room look more interesting.  Give it a try!

BEFORE:

This area is located at one end of the kitchen as you can see in the last photo above.  It was being used as an office but due to the prime location, it’s best for buyers to see it as an “eat-in” kitchen.  Also,  an office can be located elsewhere whereas an eat-in kitchen can only be in the kitchen (!).  Buyers aren’t always able to see past the furniture the seller has in place, especially when it’s used in a way other than the space was intended.

AFTER:

Now THAT’S a spacious breakfast nook / eat-in kitchen.

Now for the Master Bedroom…

There is nothing inherently wrong with the colors and wood tones in this room however, keep in mind the buyer.  When furniture and accessories coordinate, the room looks more pulled together and therefore, more spacious!

As with every space when staging – declutter and depersonalize.

Here is one option – to lighten and brighten by just using the opposite side of the comforter.

Yet another option – go with a lighter design with a little more color.

Which do you prefer?