Soft
staging is a lesser-known version of home staging.
Staged homes have a better track record of selling faster and for more money
than empty homes, but while the investment in it definitely comes back to you
when you sell the home, not every seller has that investment readily available.
In
those cases, soft staging can be an excellent alternative. Soft staging has the
same concept as traditional home staging but without the furniture. The seller
can bring in just a small amount of new artwork and
accessories that complement the home to make it feel warmer and more inviting.
These decorative additions may seem simple, but they have a big impact on a
home buyer’s psychology. A home with at least some touches of décor is more
attractive than one without them.
The Benefits of Soft Staging
It’s
budget-friendly. As I mentioned, soft staging requires a much smaller
investment than conventional home staging. Instead of bringing in full rooms of
furniture, just use artwork and smaller pieces of décor to freshen up the
space. This makes the number of pieces (if you rent these items for staging or if
you actually purchase these items and take them with you when you move) significantly
smaller, as well as the move-in and move-out process much simpler, resulting in
significantly smaller fees. Even a small investment in soft staging will
provide a noticeable return.
It
makes an empty home feel warmer and more inviting. The
most powerful part of home staging and soft staging alike is the effect staging
has on potential home buyers. Staging makes a listing feel more like home
rather than just an empty house. It may seem unnecessary from the
outside ─ after all, the décor won’t be there when the buyer actually moves in
─ but the truth is, buying a house is a very emotional process. Small details
like towels in the bathroom and an open cookbook on the kitchen counter help
buyers imagine themselves living there. It’s especially helpful in a home that
doesn’t have many upgraded features, or in brand new homes where the kitchens
and bathrooms can sometimes look too sterile. While cleanliness is extremely
important, soft staging takes the hard edge off of a sterile-looking kitchen or
bathroom. Warming it up with some decor makes it look more approachable and
natural. Some pleasing décor will show the possibilities and help buyers focus
on the positives rather than the negatives. They are more likely to become
emotionally attached to a home that has these charming touches.
It
helps define each room. One of the biggest downsides to an empty home is the
lack of structure for each space. For many buyers, imagining how to use each
spare bedroom or an awkward loft space can be overwhelming. Staging these
areas, even with just a few accessories, can help fill in the blanks. You don’t
want potential buyers getting caught up in confusion. By answering these
questions before they even ask them, they will be able to focus on the
positives of the home.
A Vignette for Soft Staging:
A
vignette is a small visual element that provides context to an area. Vignettes
can be used in secondary rooms, such as kid's bedrooms, offices, or those areas
that don't really have a defined purpose. Vignettes can also be used to
visually take the curse off entering a cold vacant house in lieu of full
staging.
PRO's
of Vignette Staging:
Cost is low, perfect for small budget.
Instantly changes the emotion of walking in to a
vacant room.
Gives a vacant house a homier feel.
Gives a vacant property a human element.
Takes the buyer's attention away from any possible flaws.
CON's
of Vignette Staging:
Not as effective as full staging in getting offers.
Buyers will have a more difficult time establishing an
emotional connection to the house.
Buyers will not easily envision themselves living
there.
Will not give buyer a frame of reference on size of
room.
Will be more difficult for buyer to imagine furniture
placement.
Vignette
staging should always be consistent with the purpose of the room. In other
words, stage an office as an office.
What to Keep in Mind when Staging:
Place
objects in odd numbers. Groupings of objects in 3's or 5's are more visually
pleasing than even numbers of objects.
Draw
the buyer through the house with the vignette. Draw the eyes through the room
with the vignette.
Consider
Full Staging of the main living areas, the emotional spaces of the property,
kitchen, master bedroom, and family room is recommended, Soft Staging the other
spaces.
Any
level of Home Staging will
improve your chances of attracting more buyers to visit your home and
ultimately result in a SOLD sign in
the front yard.
