In a recent post on this home staging blog I asked readers how they would stage a living room based on the photo you see here.
This living room is similar to most that you’ll come across at your own home staging consultations.
A living room that obviously doubles as a child’s play room, just doesn’t scream “dream home” to most buyers.
The following were my recommendations for this space during a home staging consultation with my client:
Clear the clutter
Put the little table and chairs in the child’s bedroom or basement (but only if there is ample space for them there). Get rid of all other toys.
QUICK TIP: If there is nowhere else in the house to put toys besides the child’s bedroom, it’s unrealistic to expect the living room to remain toy-free while the home is on the market.
Tell the homeowners to leave one basket of easy to pick-up items (avoid toys with lots of tiny parts that scatter, like Lego) in the living room that can be hidden away quickly before showings. When the toys are removed, most of the clutter is taken care of in this particular room.
Update art/Review placement
The large print above the couch should be replaced with a more modern painting or other piece of wall art suitable for home staging.
The positioning of it on the wall is a bit too high in this photo as well, but a bigger issue is the size of it relative to the couch.
In this case two vertical prints side by side in matching frames would probably work better. These could be black and white photographs and then black could be used as an accent elsewhere to pull things together and help anchor the space.
Family portraits should be removed to depersonalize the space.
Change the furniture and accessories
Transform the maroon leather couch into something more modern and appealing to a greater number of buyers by using a slip cover.
Or if sticking with the current couch, update it with more contemporary throw pillows which also bring in the wall color (and something from the new art that will hang above the couch).
QUICK TIP: Layering pillows on a solid couch like this is a great way to break up the visual “bulk” of it.
Place an end table and a lamp on either side of the couch and put a coffee table in front of the couch with a couple of nice large books on top.
Alternatively, in this case I might use an ottoman that could double as toy storage (would make quick clean up for showings much easier and would be handy in their new home).
Add a tall plant in on the wall where the three small pictures are now. This would break up the long wall that leads to the dining area.
QUICK TIP: With young children living there, a vase on a low table with cut flowers is a bad idea!
There’s a good chance that you have the same ideas as I do for this space, whether or not you’re a “professional” home stager!
That’s because when you have a natural talent for decorating, home staging ideas will come to you fairly easily. What’s not obvious to your clients will jump right out at you. What’s not so obvious though, is how to make money from those ideas! That’s what I teach in the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program.
Looking for More Home Staging Consultation Tips and Advice?
For further home staging advice for living rooms, turn to the Staging Diva Ultimate Design Guide: Home Staging Tips, Tricks and Floor Plans. This downloadable guide will boost your confidence in any situation.
Learn what to look for during a home staging consultation in every room of a home, and for outside curb appeal too.
Learn about how I handle my home staging consultations in Course 3 of the Staging Diva Program, Taking the Mystery Out of Home Staging Consultations.
Share Your Own Staging Consultation Ideas Below
Home stagers, what else would you recommend for the living room in the above photo?
Have you run into similar rooms in your own home staging consultations?
I am so thrilled that I suggested putting a plant in the same area. I also suggest removing the three photos but maybe leaving them there would connect the two rooms, giving a feeling of continuity. I am really buzzing now as I did come up with all the same suggestions, this shows that i could really be a home stager, thinking in the same way as yourself! I think a floor lamp in the left hand corner between the two sofas, to match the style of lamp on the chester drawer and of the same height would serve as a task light and give balance. .:-)))))))
Janine, That’s fantastic! I appreciate your excellent suggestions too!
Most home stagers (who have natural talent like you do) find that the hard part of running a successful home staging business isn’t where to put the furniture but how to:
– Get clients
– Know what to charge
– Know how to get paid.
That’s why I focus so much on the business side of staging in the Staging Diva Program. Never underestimate how much your obvious eye for staging will be worth to clients. Most people can’t do what comes naturally to us and that’s why it’s such a great way to earn a living. I’m looking forward to continuing to help you on your journey.
Thanks so much for commenting!
Thank you Debra, its so encouraging of you. I really feel like I need training on the business side of how to run a Home Staging business, as in the past after paying out around $700 for an online Interior Design Diploma course. After passing it I was excited to show off my certificate. I of course did as many renovations as I could for family and friends, which grew my portfolio. But i lost my way, because I was not sure how to get more work, and i was thinking what you are against, FREE CONSULTATIONS ! I also put my own website together, of which no-one ever went to according to my counter! Which I am still paying for, and realise my domain has dis appeared-which I am looking into as we speak. i did not feel like I was getting anywhere. my sister in law came over from the States to UK for a short stay in February 2013. She was so enthusiastic about home staging and of what she plans to do with any money she makes from staging she plans to flip houses. My brothers ex wife, she wants rid of the house they used to share, and so he will pay to have it staged by his fiance. That way, the house will be spruced up for a little investment by my brother and his ex wife gets out of there, to start a new life without memories, and my brothers new fiance gets her first paid job, WIN WIN WIN!As you can see I have been reading all of your material! It is so informative and FREE so far!
I think her positivity rubbed off on me! Again, I must say, she is so great. When she went home, I thought to myself, do I do another interior design course? If so where. I was accepted by the National Design Academy-distance learning, after I sent them some examples of my work(WIN), but this was about 1 and a half years ago! Also I was thinking of the lengthy time these courses go..And I need something now, not in 4 years when I graduate! Im getting old now! And maybe Im not cut out for all the study, and also there is no guarentee of work, plus I would have to join some one elses practise, and it could take years to get established… But what my bro s fiance(Larissa) was doing seemed much more immediate, exciting and achievable,.. hence googling home staging, last week, and here I am!!!
After looking and listening to your short free samples of what you teach on your course, it all made sense. I feel my life in these past few years has been empty, and frustrating, not knowing how to use the talent I have., because what was stopping me was the business side of it. I always get intimidated by business things… but I am excited to learn more from you. Tomorrow I will ask my Local Job information service for any possibility of financial help. I will tell them there is a Home staging course that will give me a chance of a great future. What makes me think they will not help me, is they usually deal with accredited courses only. I think that is their system. They always want proof, I’m not sure how it will go, maybe you could give me a tip on the best way to pitch it to them? I will find the money some how though. Until I do find those funds will enjoy reading everything on your site..blogs, articles and newsletters, 12 daily tips… I’m gathering as much info as i can, and L0ving it thanks to you! I especially am enjoying the Staging Savvy quiz, and having printed it all, I can look back over it. I am also documenting my “3 WINS”, daily. I feel so much happier and positive, I cant thank you enough for replying to my post here too, thanks for your time Debra! x
Thanks for sharing your story Janine. What you’ve so clearly shown here is that having decorating talent, or taking a course that shows you how to rearrange furniture and choose colors will NOT actually teach you how to earn a living from all of that. You’re right, you are missing the business side which is what the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program will teach you.
To your point about “accreditation,” there is no such thing. There are no official credentials to be a home stager. Anyone can offer a course and say their students are “certified” or “accredited,” because this is a completely unregulated industry. The key thing is to consider what you want/need to learn and finding a program that offers that. And, of course you need to know how to market yourself so that you come across as a real professional. I cover that in detail in Course 4 of the Staging Diva Program.
My aim is to take the whole 5 courses at the discounted rate, as I don’t want to dip my toes in the water. I understand that there is no governing body for the regulation of a home stager. So When i ask someone to fund the course (government), I need to get to get my begging bowl out and emphasize the importance and value the course will add to my professional career within home staging. Thanks Debra
Janine, Getting the 5-course package price is definitely the way to go. Over 90% of the people who buy a single course go on to buy the rest, but then they lose out on the $700 to $830 in savings offered by the different packages.
You are right that there is no governing body overseeing home staging. I do know that some of my students have been successful in getting government support for taking my training as part of launching their small business. How they did that I don’t know. Good luck!
Also it’s key to remember that you’ll make back the entire cost of the training with a client or two. There are few businesses that offer that kind of return on your investment!
Yes removing clutter, replacing or centering the artwork, a table lamp on end tables, throw pillows better lighting, maybe some plants. Couch should be in better condition. Show separation between two rooms.
Great points Barbara!
I am so excited. I have never thought of myself as a creative type, but have always had reactions to rooms when I walk in them. Sometimes a room will make me feel uncomfortable, or relaxed. I can often pick out the things in the room giving me that reaction and can give solutions or suggestions to address concerns. I have done well so far with the quiz which makes me think I’m not just weird, but a potential home stager!!
Absolutely Terrillyn! I so appreciate you commenting. It’s so tempting to take our natural talents for granted and assume what comes easily to us is obvious to everyone else.
Have you ever been to church or even a camp fire and everyone is singing together. (Personally, I have trouble with those moments because I don’t like my own singing voice and don’t want to “ruin” the beautiful melody everyone else is creating). But that’s a sidenote, what I want to say is among the many voices, you hear a few that stand out and sound so beautiful! How much you want to bet those people just assume others can sing as well as them. Meanwhile the rest of us are in awe of that natural talent.
Having a natural eye for staging, or decor is exactly like that in my view!
If you’re just starting in staging, I strongly encourage you to attend a 90-minute course I’m teaching called, 5 Simple Secrets to Making More Money in Home Staging. You can grab a FREE pass for it at this link:
https://stagingdiva.com/homestagingfreepreview.html
Terrillyn, You’ll also love this post I wrote called, Addicted to Decorating or Born to Be a Home Stager!
I would declutter the room. Change the picture above the couch and remove the other pictures . Add throw pillows and rug . Add accessories and plants and change wall color. I would remove all toys from the room
Isn’t it amazing how such simple changes can make a world of difference? And yet, people without the eye of a home stager don’t see it. That’s why they need our help!
I forgot to mention add lighting
I would do everything you mentioned in addition to a throw rug in front of the sofa to bring warmth and top it off with a cute sofa cover from Ikea with fresh flowers and try to incorporate natural lighting.
Fantastic ideas Melinda, thanks for commenting!!
Remove all clutter.
-move couch to center with Fireplace.
-update throw pillows to couch
-add end tables to each side of the couch with lamps
-move table in front couch and add either plant or tiered candle holders depending on the size of the table
-I like the chair idea beside the fireplace with the reading lamps. I believe this would provide a cozy atmosphere.
Agree, thanks Tina.
Hi Debra, Most of my ideas matched yours, except the fact that I had written down an “area Rug”/” runner” for each room & you did not. I’m New to All of this, but it’s My Passion to become a Home Staging Consultant. I’m alone with No income,but I know I have this design and desire in Me. Thanks Jo
Hi JoAnne,
Glad to hear the home staging quiz was helpful for you. You raise an excellent question about area rugs and runners. I have mixed feelings for these reasons:
– Difficult to rent them (and I don’t believe in investing in your own home staging inventory if you want to make maximum profit, with minimum stress as a home stager)
– Home buyers may worry or wonder if they could be hiding damage to the floors
– Getting the proportions right can be tricky. You don’t want to make the room look smaller and they can often have that effect.
I was “alone with no income” and a single parent of a 7 year old when I started my home staging business. It was a great decision because it provided excellent income while giving me the flexibility I needed to be a very involved parent.
Thanks for commenting!
Remove toys and table and chairs. Update the furniture with a lighter color, add rug, change the wall decor, add throw pillows
Great points Beverly!
Add an area rug under the “new” coffee table.
Clean up, add pillows to furniture, add oraganizer for toys
This living room looks like a waiting room. I would use soft or neutral color furniture and then colorful pillows to compliment. Maybe tan couch with earthy tones pillows or gray couch with springy colors that pop. I see a nice sturdy wooden rustic coffee table with a fun centerpiece and baskets underneath for storage for toys. Maybe a tall plant in a corner and floor lamp. Keep spacious
You’re right Dawn, it does have a “waiting room” vibe to it currently!
Hmm, my ideas r quiet similar to urs Debra
Off course need to declutter the room,toys needs to go in kids room if possible specially the table and chair or in storage for time of showings and toys in boxes too then need to remove that big lamp and change the art work with but smaller and three frame works need the be removed end tables on both sides atleast with corner table lamp tall plant can be put on one side of sofa too Instead of one end table and coffee table with one piece of decoration on Center table and if possible a rug and some cushion on couch if can’t change the furniture and a throw on single recliner
Great suggestions Nuziha, thanks for sharing! Are you a professional home stager yet?
All great suggestions Nuziha!
I was thinking maybe an area rug would make it a little more invite then just the bleak look of the laminate flooring. I would remove the clutter of the cabinet and if they need a lamp then a smaller on in the center of the cabinet. I also would get smaller side tables maybe instead of a couch, a love seat to make the space look bigger.
great ideas!
People need to remember to pull out your furniture from the walls if possible. It doesn’t look good when everything is backed up to. All the walls in the room. Toys need to be gone.
What makes this a little difficult is that we are only seeing a section of a room. In the second page, we see an entire room. It’s a little deceiving, no disrespect intended. Doing something with only what I saw in the picture and not knowing if there is another space in the house for the children’s play area, I would move the furniture around as to have 2 vignettes. One for the living space and the other a play area. I would get an area rug and put the sofa and loveseat in an L space around the outside of the area rug Get some nice decorative pillows. A coffee table with some flowers in the center. An end table in between the sofa and loveseat with a nice lamp. Against an opposite wall, I would place a tv with a table/cabinet. underneath. Center the large art on the wall above the loveseat. Remove the 3 pictures. Get an area rug for the children’s play area. Move the table and chairs into the center of it. Get an organizing unit with pull out bins to place the children’s toys. If it’s a true living room. I would do pretty much what’s in the drawing and add an area rug and window treatments.
These are excellent suggestions Linda, thanks for sharing!
Toys cleaned up and put in child’s room, picture above couch too big and change the other pictures to something more fitting for a living room, light on table too tall, color coordinate the pillows with the couch get a couch cover if you can’t afford a newer couch, put a throw rug down.
All great ideas Carol, thanks for sharing!