5 Things You Should Do Before Hiring a Home Stager

Mercedes Amato · November 30, 2020 · Leave a Comment

By now, I’m sure most, if not all of you, have heard of home staging…thank you HGTV 😉. Staging your home before listing it on the market is something you should take very very seriously if you want to get top dollar.

But let me take a step back for a second here. For those who don’t know what home staging is, I’m gonna tell you. In a nutshell, it’s “staging” the home with furniture and accessories to make it look appealing to the majority of potential buyers before listing it on the market. Staging your home is an investment but in the long run, it’s better than a price reduction lets say of about…$20,000. It’s silly to not stage your home these days (and no, not much has changed now that we’re in a pandemic).

According to the National Association of Realtors, 77% of buyers felt they were more able to see themselves moving into a home that had been staged. Doesn’t that just go to show you how important staging is?!

If you’re interested in listing your home for sale, chances are, you’re gonna need to do some homework. Your home stager or real estate agent will tell you everything you need to do before listing it so why not beat them to the punch and begin now? I’ve come up with a list of things you can do before you hire a stager or realtor to look at your home.

1.DECLUTTER EVERY ROOM

If you want to get top dollar for your home, decluttering is CRUCIAL. Yes, we get it. Life happens and our stuff tends to pile up in almost every room! But that’s a big no no. Potential buyers won’t be able to see beyond all of the clutter so start organizing, donating, and throwing away things you no longer need NOW. Every stager and real estate agent will all tell you less is more so you really should listen to the experts. If it’s too overwhelming, ask local stagers if they offer organization packages or simply find a local professional organizer.

2.PUT AWAY/PACK ANY PERSONAL ITEMS

One of the number one rules when it comes to staging, is to depersonalize your space. Family photos being the most popular personal item. Now would be a good time to begin packing these things away since you’re gonna have to do it anyway sooner or later! We want buyers to come into your home and imagine themselves living in it without anything distracting like your family photos. The idea is to keep it neutral so they can envision your home being their new home.

3.CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN

Now hear me out. I’m not saying you’re a person who lives in a dirty house. BUT I just want to stress how important it is to make sure your home is clean so that buyers don’t get turned off. This means having your floors cleaned (perhaps professionally), whether it’s hardwood or carpet, clean your windows inside and outside, deep clean your bathrooms and kitchen, and make sure to get all of the nooks and crannies because eyes tend to wander when they look at your home.

4.ELIMINATE ANY ODORS

Potential buyers can easily get turned off by odors that can be lingering in your home. Even though you don’t think your home smells bad, other people can be sensitive and maybe they’re just not used to your home’s smell. So it’s best to not take a chance and just eliminate those cooking smells, pet smells or other odors before anybody can say anything. There are a couple of great brands and products out there that really get the job done so feel free to check them out!

Smells Begone on Amazon

Moso Natural on Amazon

5.SPRUCE UP YOUR EXTERIOR ENTRYWAY

How many times have you heard how important having great curb appeal is? I’m sure plenty of times if you’ve been surrounded by realtors or watching lots of HGTV. Think about it, when your home is professionally photographed from the outside, wouldn’t you want it to look neat and put together so potential buyers are interested in looking at more pictures of it online before crossing it off their list of contenders? I would think you would want it to look nice and neat.

This could mean a number of things: getting your door painted (or changing it altogether if it’s in rough shape), buying fresh hardware to put on your door, fixing your gutters if they’re hanging off your house, updating your landscaping, buying a couple of lanterns, or maybe even adding a bench with some pillows to your cozy porch. Bottom line: if things are broken, buyers will notice. So fix them!

Photo Credit: Pella

These are just a couple of things you can do before you bring in a realtor or home stager into your home. They’re gonna tell you to do a few if not all of these things anyway so why not get a head start? Be prepared to have your home stager tell you you’re gonna need to paint, possibly rent furniture/accessories, and make some necessary repairs or upgrades. Just know he/she will be looking at your home through the eyes of a potential buyer so don’t take the criticism personally.

I hope these few tips have helped! And remember, if you live in Bergen County, New Jersey, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you or someone you know is in need of a home stager or real estate agent.

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5 Tips on Mastering the Art of Mixing Textures

Mercedes Amato | April 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

Hello Design Lovers!

Mixing textures in interior design can add warmth and depth to a space, making it feel more inviting and visually interesting. The way different textures are combined can make or break the overall aesthetic. By combining different textures, you can create a multi-layered and visually appealing space that reflects your unique style. Here are some tips on how to mix textures effectively in your home:

1. Start with a neutral base: To mix textures effectively, it's best to start with a neutral base. This creates a cohesive foundation for the different textures that you will add to the space. A neutral base could be a neutral wall color, such as white or beige, or a neutral-colored sofa or bed frame. Starting with a neutral base allows you to experiment with different textures and colors without overwhelming the space.

2. Mix materials: Experiment with mixing different materials to add interest and variety to a room. You could mix materials such as wood, metal, leather, and fabrics. For example, a leather sofa paired with a chunky knit throw, or a metal coffee table with a soft, shaggy rug. Mixing materials will create contrast and add depth to the space.

3. Vary texture scale: Varying the scale of textures in a room is an important aspect of mixing textures in interior design. To do this, you can mix large and small textures together. For example, a large, nubby rug paired with a delicate, sheer curtain. Or, a smooth, glossy side table next to a chunky knit blanket. Varying texture scale will create visual interest and add depth to the space.

4. Mix patterns: Mixing patterns is another way to add texture to a space. To do this effectively, it's important to balance the patterns so they don't clash with each other. You could mix a bold, geometric print with a subtle, organic pattern. Or, a small-scale pattern with a large-scale pattern. Mixing patterns will create a dynamic and visually interesting space.

5. Layer textures: Layering textures is a great way to add depth and interest to a space. You could layer a faux fur rug over a jute rug, or layer a velvet throw pillow on top of a linen sofa. Layering textures creates a multi-dimensional look that adds visual interest to the space.

Mixing textures in interior design is a great way to add depth, interest, and personality to a space. By experimenting with different materials, textures, and patterns, you can create a visually dynamic and inviting environment. Remember to start with a neutral base, vary texture scale, mix patterns carefully, layer textures, and most importantly, trust your instincts and have fun! Mixing textures is an opportunity to express your unique style and create a space that feels like home.

How To Create a Functional Kitchen Using The Working Triangle

Mercedes Amato | March 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

Hello Design Lovers!

Let's talk about the functionality of a kitchen. The working triangle in a kitchen refers to the layout of the three main elements in a kitchen: the refrigerator, the sink, and the stove or cooktop. The ideal layout is one in which these three elements are arranged in a triangular shape, with the refrigerator, sink, and stove positioned at the three corners of the triangle. This design allows for easy movement and efficient use of space, making it a popular layout for kitchen designers and architects.

The dimensions between a working triangle in a kitchen can vary depending on the size and layout of the kitchen, as well as the personal preferences of the homeowner. However, a commonly recommended guideline is to have no side of the triangle longer than 9 feet or shorter than 4 feet. This allows for easy movement and efficient use of space while still allowing enough room for other kitchen features such as countertops, cabinets, and an island. Additionally, the sum of the three sides of the triangle should be between 13 and 26 feet. These guidelines ensure that the kitchen is functional and efficient.

Here are some examples of common kitchen layouts:

U-Shaped Kitchen: This layout consists of cabinets and appliances lining three walls, forming a U-shape. This layout provides ample counter space and storage, making it ideal for larger kitchens.

L-Shaped Kitchen: This layout consists of cabinets and appliances lining two adjacent walls, forming an L-shape. This layout is versatile and can be adapted to a variety of kitchen sizes and styles.

Galley Kitchen: This layout consists of two parallel walls with cabinets and appliances lining both sides. This layout is ideal for smaller kitchens as it maximizes the use of available space.

Island Kitchen: This layout includes a central island that provides additional counter space and storage. This layout is ideal for larger kitchens with ample floor space.

Peninsula Kitchen: This layout includes a connected island that is attached to one wall, providing additional counter space and storage. This layout is ideal for smaller kitchens that require additional workspace and storage.

When it comes to designing a kitchen with the working triangle in mind, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, you want to make sure that the three main elements - the refrigerator, sink, and stove - are arranged in a triangular shape. This allows for easy movement and access between the three areas.

Now that you know the importance of the working triangle, I'm sure the next time you're scrolling on Instagram or Pinterest, you'll be more mindful on the proper kitchen design layout. You might even be able to notice the different styles of kitchen designs!

Moody Blues Master Bedroom Retreat

Mercedes Amato | February 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

Hello Design Lovers!

This project was a long time coming but wow! I'm so happy with the way it came out. But more importantly, my clients are thrilled with the end result. Let me give you a little run down on this project came to be. My clients, Hillary and Josh, were in desperate need to get their master bedroom updated. They no longer felt their room was a sanctuary for them, a place where they can come to unwind, relax, and ultimately sleep (of course).

The biggest eye sore though probably had to be the carpet. They wanted to rip up the carpet and have hardwood floors throughout. They knew there was hardwood under the carpet in the hallway of their master bedroom, but they didn't know if the main bedroom space had hardwood since that part of the house was an addition. Sure enough, there was only hardwood flooring in the hallway. I brought in a contractor to add hardwood in the rest of the space, making the transition as seamless as possible.

Hillary wanted to do some sort of accent wall, but she wasn’t really sure what exactly she wanted. She had shown me several photos of inspiration on Pinterest and then I began to work out some ideas. We had spoken about possibly putting up wallpaper, but she really wanted some dimension.

It was a bit challenging to come up with a design since there are two windows on that wall which would ultimately break up the flow, but after some planning, it worked out perfectly! The windows don’t seem like such a big deal anymore.

Once the accent wall was complete, it was time to paint. We said goodbye to the outdated gold/taupe color and freshened up the space with updated colors. We went with Benjamin Moore Thousand Oceans for the accent wall and the rest of the space is Benjamin Moore November Rain. Paint makes a HUGE difference and just like that, the room was ready to be decorated!

I wanted to go with a neutral bed frame to allow the accent wall to stand out. The contrast between the white headboard and the blue wall is exactly what I was going for! We went with off-white drapery for the two back windows, making sure not to take away from the accent wall.

The windows on the side walls were a bit challenging since they are so close to the windows on the accent wall. I didn't want to add more drapery to those side windows which I felt would take away from the showstopper of a wall, so we opted for beautiful simple roman shades. Plus, my clients informed me they needed privacy from the neighbors, so roman shades did the trick!

We incorporated light wood tones for the nightstands and dresser which really makes the room feel airy and spacious. Had I selected dark wood tones, the room would've felt a lot smaller and closed in.

I brought in some color with the beautiful vintage inspired area rug (the touches of blue compliments the accent wall really well). I wanted to bring in some more color without it overpowering the space. The neutral duvet allowed for us to play with color for the rest of the bedding and that's exactly what we did with the throw pillows. There's just enough color without it all feeling too overpowering.

My clients and I are so happy with the way this room came out! Such a major transformation...it's like night and day. Now onto the next project. Stay tuned for more!

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