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Transform your Home: Tips for Staging and Furnishings

When it comes to staging, think of it as giving your home a facelift. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching a home transform with the help of simple cosmetic upgrades. As designers, our challenge with staging is figuring out how to make the biggest impact for the ideal buyer using only furnishings and décor, but without diving into major renovations. Sure, we might suggest a fresh coat of paint here or there, or other minor fixes (replacing outdated lighting fixtures is a big one), but our main goal is to create a visually appealing environment that attracts potential buyers.

I love the process of staging because it’s like playing dress-up with a house. Imagine turning a blank canvas into a work of art with just the right pieces! It’s all about highlighting the home’s best features and making it feel inviting. The trick is to strike a balance between making it look stylish, yet livable.

So, I wanted to share a few insider tips on how we stage our homes. If you’re getting ready to list your home, I hope you find these helpful! Let’s dive in and help your space look its best.

Our Approach to Staging Projects

In our staging projects, I take a personalized approach, bringing in a mixture of furniture, décor, artwork, and accents to showcase the home’s best features. It’s all about creating a space that potential buyers can see themselves living in, without making any major structural changes.

Lifestyle Vision Board

Just like our client work, we create a vision board for each staging project. This board helps us determine the feeling we want to evoke in each property. Is it a cozy family home or a sleek modern apartment? We turn to the vision board when we source, and procure items to fit that specific vibe. It keeps us focused and ensures that everything we bring in aligns with the desired atmosphere.

Imagining the Ideal Client’s Wants and Needs

We always keep the potential buyer in mind. For instance, if we’re staging a large family home, we might select a large sectional to showcase the living room’s ample space. It’s about anticipating what the ideal client might want or need, then styling the home to reflect that. This approach makes the space feel more relevant and appealing to specific buyers.

Style with Intention

Unlike most stagers, we put a lot of emphasis on styling so as to speak to the vision board we’ve created. We carefully select props and accessories that match the feeling and aesthetic we’re aiming for. Whether it’s adding cozy throws and pillows to create a welcoming living room or setting a stylish table to highlight the dining area, we style with intention to make the home look both beautiful and livable.

By focusing on these key elements, we create spaces that not only look amazing, but also connect with buyers on an emotional level, helping them envision their future in the home.

Edit and Supplement with the Right Pieces

When it comes to staging, bringing in the right pieces can make all the difference. If we were to stage your home, we’d carefully select and supplement with pieces that show off the home’s best features. By aligning our selections with the home’s aesthetic and lifestyle needs, we ensure that every element contributes to the overall appeal of the space.

We don’t just use a one-size-fits-all approach. When we stage a home, we order furniture and décor specific to each property and offer these pieces for purchase with the home sale. This ensures that the staging feels cohesive and tailored, enhancing the home’s unique charm. This approach not only makes the staging feel more intentional but also gives potential buyers an option to purchase pieces that are perfectly suited to the space.

If you’re getting your home ready for sale, it’s essential to edit out a lot of your existing décor. Think about your ideal client and tailor the space to their needs. For instance, if it’s a young family, incorporate comfy pieces conducive to both kids and adults lounging. If your ideal buyer is an older couple or empty nesters, imagine them entertaining or enjoying the home for themselves.

Each space needs to feel intentional so that when a buyer walks through the door, they are wowed and can visualize themselves living there — not you! Remove personal items, such as family photos, to create a more neutral and inviting atmosphere. The goal is for buyers to see the potential of the space and envision their own lives unfolding there.

By focusing on editing and supplementing with the right pieces, we create a beautifully staged home that appeals to a wide range of buyers and helps the property sell quickly.

Staging vs. Full-Service Furnishing

I want to switch gears for a moment, and point out a service that is similar to our staging projects but tailored for those who aren’t looking to sell their home. If the idea of cosmetic upgrades sounds like the design help you need, without the intention of listing your house, then our full-service furnishing might be just what you’re looking for.

Similarities and Differences

While staging and full-service furnishing share similarities, they cater to different needs and budgets. Staging is all about enhancing a home’s appeal for potential buyers. The goal is to make the biggest impact with furnishings and décor without major renovations. On the other hand, full-service furnishing offers a comprehensive design solution for homeowners who want to refresh their space without a full remodel.

Comprehensive Design Solutions

Whether it’s a complete overhaul or a few strategic updates, we work closely with clients to create a plan that meets their goals and budget. Our furnishing service is perfect for clients who don’t necessarily want to renovate but already have a streamlined foundation. We can complete their home aesthetic with intentional and elevated décor and styling essentials.

Tailored for Your Needs

Just like our staging projects, we take a personalized approach with our full-service furnishing. We bring in a mix of furniture, decor, artwork, and accents to showcase your home’s best features. Whether it’s creating a cozy living room with a perfect blend of comfort and style or transforming a bedroom into a serene retreat, our goal is to make your space look and feel exactly how you envision it.

By focusing on thoughtful furnishings and décor, we help you achieve a beautiful, functional home without the need for high-end custom designer lines. Our approach ensures that you get the look and feel you desire while staying within your budget. Whether you’re staging to sell or furnishing for personal enjoyment, we’re here to help you create a space that truly feels like home.

In case you missed it… Read up on why you should hire an interior designer to become more familiar with the type of service we provide to our clients. Follow along to stay up to date with all our latest tips and tricks for enhancing your home’s value while giving it that polished, and elevated look.

Get Started Today!

Ready to transform your space with thoughtful staging and design? Contact me to discuss your project needs and discover how we can help you elevate your home’s appeal to potential buyers. Together, we’ll create a tailored plan that showcases your property in the best possible light.

 

 

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20k. Wow. Feeling a little surreal over here (and right before Christmas!). Emma surprised me with this cake today and it honestly made me pause and take it all in. This journey has been nothing without you all (this community) showing up, supporting, growing with me. I’m so grateful for every message, interaction, and tiny bit of love along the way.
And I’ll be honest... it’s not always easy showing up here every day and sharing so many pieces of our lives. You don’t see everything, and that’s okay. But what’s real is this connection and the people on the other side of the screen.
Here’s to all of you. Thank you for being here, for cheering us on, and for making this space feel like something worth building.❤️
After designing and remodeling so many bathrooms, here are 5 mistakes I’ll never make again:
1. Stopping tile too low on the wall.
Tiling only part way up can make a bathroom feel choppy and visually shorter. Taking tile higher (or all the way up in key areas) instantly feels more custom and elevates even the smallest space.
2. Choosing form over storage.
A pretty pedestal sink with nowhere to hide anything... I’ve learned my lesson. Vanities with drawers, medicine cabinets, and smart niches keep your counters clear and make your bathroom actually livable. For example, pretty pedestal sinks have my heart — but they have zero secrets. If you truly love the look, add a tailored sink skirt to hide essentials, or do what we’re doing in our own project: bringing in an entire wall of IKEA PAX built-ins for overflow storage. Desianers think hard about lifestyle... because a beautiful bathroom that doesn’t actually work never stays beautiful.
3. Using the wrong grout color.
Bright white grout on a busy floor or in a shower is a cleaning nightmare. A softer, mid-tone grout is more forgiving, ages better, and lets the tile shine instead of the lines.
4. Cheap, overly shiny hardware and fixtures.
Nothing dates a bathroom faster than ultra-shiny, lightweight hardware. A tip I give clients: always look for weight and finish depth. Polished nickel with a warm undertone, unlacquered brass that patinas beautifully, or even aged bronze instantly elevates a space. Spend once and avoid upgrading again in two years.
5. Relying only on overhead lighting.
One can light = harsh, flat, unflattering. Layered lighting changes everything. Add sconces at face level (ladies... this is a game changer for getting ready), plus a decorative fixture or even a candle for a softer, moodier feel.
If you’re planning a remodel or want help avoiding these mistakes in your own home, send me a DM — we’d love to help you design a bathroom you’ll love for years🤍
“Designers are expensive.” That’s the public opinion... and sometimes, it’s true. But it’s also the reason we exist. 
A designer’s fee is almost always less than the cost of redoing things that weren’t done right the first time.
We see it all the time. Clients come to us after plans are finalized, materials are ordered, and the space is already under construction. By then, it’s much harder (and more expensive) to course-correct. Details like lighting placement, ceiling heights, tile layout, and even outlet locations all impact the final design. And when we’re part of the process early, those decisions work together instead of against each other.
Working with a designer isn’t just about how your home looks.. It’s about how it feels and functions. Our role is to bridge the gap between vision and execution, to make sure every decision supports the next one.
If you’re in the early stages of building or renovating, this is your sign to bring design in from the start. It’s an investment in doing it once, and doing it beautifully.
Inquire through our site (link in bio) to start your project!
Headed back to Oregon today and scrolling through old Christmas clips like the nostalgic, obsessed person that I am.😂 It truly never fails to be the coziest place during the holidays.
We chose the PNW this year partly for the peaceful vibes... partly because our renovation is unhinged right now. And MOSTLY because I wanted to put up a tree. 
Luckily we have a fake one in storage. No ornaments, just twinkle lights and vibes. I’ve got a few simple tricks to make it feel special for our family.
Where are you celebrating this year? Traveling? Staying home? I love hearing what this season looks like for everyone.
Until then, I’ll just be on the Tennessee backroads with my coffee, gathering design inspo from every pretty home I drive past!