ARRANGE ACCESSORIES LIKE A PRO

Accessories are to a staged home what jewelry is to an outfit. Here's a comparison I use with clients. When you decorate your home, accessorize like you would add jewelry to your outfit if you were going out to a dinner or a party. When staging your home, you want to add accessories in the same way you'd put on jewelry when going to work. Keep these tips in mind when choosing and placing accents in your home.

 

• Group like items together. Make sure the items have something in common, whether it's the theme or color.

• Use a few larger items rather than numerous smaller pieces. You want a clean, streamlined look when selling a home. Many people fear that large accessories will make a small space look cramped. In fact, the opposite is true. Lots of little items can make a home look cluttered.

 A few items are all that is needed to add interest to a tall dresser.

• Most times, it’s best to arrange items in groups of odd numbers, such as 3 or 5. No one knows the exact reason why this works. My theory is that with even numbers the eye is pulled, for example, between 2 objects. When you throw in a third item, the eye has a place to rest.

Three mini pumpkins brighten up a windowsill for fall. Their color pulls in the leaves of the trees and are small enough not to block the view. 

• Avoid items that are personal, religious, political, or in any way reflect controversial topics. You don't want to take the risk of offending any potential buyers. The one person you offend could be that person that would have purchased your home. Also make sure to pack away any fragile or sentimental items that could be broken accidentally.

A bamboo plant and two decorative birds reflect the owner's love of plants and birds, yet aren't too personal.

• Arrange items at different levels. You want to give the eye something to look at throughout the space. Having all the items at one level will cause the room to feel unbalanced.

• Don’t put too many items, books or otherwise, on shelves. In addition to books, add other decorative items to break up the space. When arranging books, don't stack all of them vertically. Alternate some horizontal stacks as well. You could also organize the books by color, or make matching book jackets out of inexpensive paper or wall covering. 

• Pay attention to visual weight. Heavy items include those that are larger, are a darker or bolder color, or contain a large scale pattern. You want the room to have fairly equal visual weight in all areas, as well as at different levels. For example, three smaller vases can balance one larger vase. A large window can be balanced on the opposite side of the room with a large armoire or built-in shelves.

• Each room should have a focal point. This should be the first thing you notice when you walk into the space. It could be something natural, such as a great view; architectural, such as a fireplace; or something you've added, like the bed in a bedroom.

• Try to include some natural elements as well. Some great ideas are flowers, plants, or bowls of fruits and vegetables.

 

Plants bring life and color to a kitchen windowsill.

• Hang artwork at eye level. For most rooms, eye level refers to the view of a person of average height standing in the room. In rooms where you will mostly be sitting, such as a dining room, hang pieces that will be viewed at eye level when people are sitting down.

An inexpensive idea for wall art: a paint-by-number print in a silver frame, hung at eye level in a hallway.

• Frames don't have to match exactly, but should have something in common to unify them. For example they may have the same frame color or material; the same matting color; or the same contents, such as all black and white photos. Remember: no personal photos.

 

Here are some final tips to consider. Less is more. Don't overdo it. In addition, think outside the box. You don’t always have to use objects for their original purpose. A decorative bowl is a great place to catch keys and loose change in the entry.

 

Accessories are the final touch that makes a home feel welcoming to potential buyers. Remember, less is more when staging, especially when it comes to accessories.