As any experienced home stager will tell you, the "art of home staging" is quite different for an occupied home versus a vacant home. With a vacant home, we define what we use in the form of furniture and accessories; whereas with an occupied, we're typically dealing with what the homeowners already own.
While the process is different, the desired objective is the exact same. The goal in home staging for both occupied and vacant is to showcase the features of the home as well as the space.
Here's insight into the planning that occurred for this occupied home:
In this before picture of the office, we have the typical office clutter. Let me quickly add that my office looks extremely similar. The opportunity here is to showcase this in a much more organized fashion.
Now here's what we did:
The concept of the black and white photos against the red brick was right on the money; so more were added. Printer was moved to the right of the desk, and pictures added to the wall (on the left) which created more of a balance in the room. The items on the shelves were simply moved around for a more appealing look. NOTE: All AFTER pictures were taken by a professional photographer.
After Picture:
Here's the before picture of the family room: Note: The photo was taken as you enter the room. As you can see, the position of the sofas limited the size of the room. FYI - The sheet was placed in front of the office door to prohibit the cats from entering that room.
And the "after" picture: By placing the sofas on both sides of the room, you gain a better perspective as to the size of the room. Matching lamps were added again to provide balance as were sister prints on the right wall.
Another angle, same room: As you can see, there's a pub table in the far right hand corner of the room. This was actually the third table set in the home and one that was not used frequently enough to warrant keeping it there.
The simple changes such as a single picture above the side table, and the addition of the chaise lounge provides for a more relaxed look.
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Home Staging Atlanta - Kathy Nielsen - 678 522 8392
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Whether your home is vacant or occupied, this Atlanta Georgia Home Stager, Kathy Nielsen, understands what it takes to sell a home quickly. Her homes have graced the pages of several publications, appeared in TV commercials as well as on HGTV's hit program Sleep On it.
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Home Staging Website: Home Staging Atlanta
Before and After Pictures: Atlanta Home Staging Portfolio:
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Blog: Atlanta Home Staging
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Kathy, How beautiful! I have not had the opportunity to stage an owner occupied yet. I've just been doing consults. I would love to do one, when I'm doing an consult I see so many things I could do, if only I could get my hands on it. I don't believe the homeowners can vision what I'm trying to relate to them. But an consult is better than nothing.
You have got to be one of the best! Your clients are very lucky.
I could use someone like you to help with my office!
I feel like I'm looking at a Barb Schwarz make-over. Great job. I am always impressed when a stager used what the owner has.
Beautiful job as always Kathy. Love the warm feeling of the family room and how you opened up and made it more usable and inviting with the lounge. I use that piece in so many rooms of the house, especially in the master for a great sitting area. Kym
Fantastic changes! The home seller had great pieces to work with, but your changes showcased the rooms. Job well done!
Kathy ~ Really nice job; it looks like the homeowner had some good pieces to work with too. I like what you did in the area where the pub set was, and the office looks great!
Your changes made the house look far richer and more elegant, Kathy! Julie
Great photos - before and after ! My wife has made me a huge believer in the benefits of staging, especially in this slower market.
The repostioning of the furniture turned out great! Was it expensive to use the professional photographer? Or was that the Realtors cost? It really makes a difference.
Kathy ~ This occupied home went from cluttered and chaotic to calm and serene! Using the homeowner's items can be challenging but you pulled it off beautifully. (p.s. the professional photos are excellent -- but your own are just as good!)
Donna - Thank you for your kind words. It can be difficult to convey what you would like the sellers to do. In fact, what I tell most, if not all of my occupied prospects is that I may end having the sofa/chairs, etc... many different ways before I settle on the look and feel I'm after. I offer an "extended" service offering which would allow for them to hire me to do what was outlined in the consult. If you're not already offering something similar it might be worth a shot.
Thank you, Dane!! My office could use me right now too as it's a mess (smile).
Michelle - Thank you!
Kathy P - You're right; the client had wonderful things to work with. They are the neatest couple and I thoroughly enjoyed working with them. Thanks for your comments.
Thank you, Julia.
Christopher - You have a very smart wife (smile).
Lisa - In this case, the homeowner is also the agent. But to answer your question more specifically, it wasn't that expensive and the homeowner paid for it.
Maureen - Thank you. I try so hard with my photos and I'm finding that the more I take, the better I'm getting. You are too sweet. Thank you.
Lovely, looks like a very comfy home just lived in by the usual sellers who took for granted their gem underneath the clutter. Nice job.
Kathy,
Inevitable, whenever I stage an occupied; the first comment that comes out odf the mouth of my client is "We should have done this years ago". I bet your clients said the same thing.
I find that most of the changes we make when staging a house will make it live better as well.
Kathy,
Love the two couch placements and and the addition of the chaise! That really opened up the room. Isn't is great when you do a redesign you have such nice pieces to work with?
Wow...your staging and the professional photographs turned ordinary rooms into rooms of model home quality. I love the shot of the chaise with a view of the outdoors and deck. It looks so inviting. If I were a buyer, that is one home that would be at the top my must see list. Congratulations on a beautiful job. You are so talented!
Great job Kathy N! Even something as simple as rearranging the bookcase makes a huge difference! I am a stickler for the details like this....and many homeowners would never think about it! PS. I wish my office looked that clean right now!!! Great illustration! Regards-Kathleen G
Well Done! Looks great! It's amazing the difference that was made.
Kathy, Wonderful job and well done. I like the before and after photos, what an amazing difference.
Kathy, absolutely beautiful staging as always. Very funny about the sheet to keep the cat out.
I just have one question, will you come fix my husbands office too?? All of it looks great, as usual!
Wow! That house photographed so nicely! I love the way that sunroom came out...and that office too! Certainly a much more productive space.