ABC Wednesday S is for Staging

In addition to regular Interior Design work, I also stage homes that are going on the market to be sold.

A client that I worked with last week had a bedroom that needed some new bedding as part of the staging.

How do you know what to buy?

• Is the room large or small?


• Is the bed in the room a good proportion to the room, or is it too large or too small for the room?

1. Large patterns and dark colors take up more "visual space." If you have a large master bedroom, for example, using a dark color, or large pattern is a good direction to go. Keep your patterns and color current and simple. When potential buyers walk into the room, you don't want them thinking, "what a bright duvet" you want them thinking, "what a fabulous room." Keep in mind that patterns are also very subjective. What you like, someone else may dislike- keep them simple.


2. On the flip side, if your room is small, go with light colors, white perhaps, with minimal pattern. Also think about purchasing or "renting" a more appropriately sized bed. A small room with a large bed that encompasses too much of the room draws attention to the size of the room in a negative way. Consider a full sized bed instead of a queen, or a queen instead of a king. Is the bedroom in question not a "master bedroom?" Just put a twin sized bed in it. This also allows you to arrange your furniture in a nicer way, instead of pushing the "too large" bed into a corner to make room for it. Ideally, the bed should be against the wall only on the headboard.
3. Make it look like the catalog! Buy all of the pillows (budget permitting) that you need to make it look finished. Use two duvets (one as filler under your more decorative one) to give the look of opulence and softness. (This is what the pros do!) Make sure your pillows are the right size. Do you have a king sized bed? You should have king sized pillows. Iron your sheets and start sleeping on the floor. (OK- so maybe I am exaggerating a little)- But I would go through the effort for an open house for sure. Again- make it look like the catalog- fold the sheets back. (Did I mention that you should purchase nice new sheets too?) The price range of your home will justify spending a certain amount- so take as much advice as makes sense in your situation.

All of my bedding photos came from Garnet Hill one of my favorite sources.