Do's for the homeowner Staging a home.

                      Before and after photos of an actual owner occupied home.

Do- De-clutter. There is no bigger turn off than a house that is cluttered. Remove all personal collections too.

Do- Simplify. Remove extra furnishings. Less is more. A sparsely furnished room equals more real estate.

Do- Clean. Special attention to glass, flooring, kitchen and bathrooms.

Do- Assess paint colors. Outdated paint is a deal breaker. 

Do- Let the light in. Remove all outdated drapes and window treatments.

Do- pair seating in conversation areas with side tables and lamps so that there is a place to set drinks, books, etc. as well as adequate light for reading.

Do- choose accessories that reinforce the color and style theme of a room.

Do- use scale and pattern to create interesting focal points.

Do- use pairs of items to underscore symmetry and balance.

Do- use odd numbers of items (3, 5, 7) when grouping accents for tablescapes. Do place items (high, medium, and low) within an imaginary triangle to add interest.

Do- use symmetrical arrangements in formal rooms. In more casual rooms go for asymmetrical arrangements of furniture and accessories.

Do- emphasize the important elements of the room and play down the unattractive or unimportant elements.

Do- use a variety of textures (smooth, rough, shiny, dull) when you want to add interest to a room.

Do- use line to underscore a room's style. Horizontal lines emphasize length and underscore a calm mood. Vertical lines will emphasize height, and diagonal lines emphasize space and provide a dynamic and exciting feel.

Do- Remove odors. Neutralize with clean and fresh. Not perfume.

Do- Consider having advise from an Accredited Staging Professional. Great Impressions Staging 603