It’s a cake. Start with great tasty basics and then add on the pretty finishes. Pillows are sprinkles. That is all.

Staging a property for purchase or rent is designed to set that all important positive first impression. True to its name, staging is the craft of setting a scene for an audience and differs form interior design meant for long term use. The staged property tells a story of comfort and livability, allowing a buyer or client to see the best cast of the basics of the space and literally asking them to project their own lives into the script. Clean, orderly rooms are a must. The good foundations of this cake should show, but the added icing of thoughtful detail create a delicious vision of potential happiness! Who’s hungry now? We are, that’s who! And we want our clients to pine for the spaces on which we design. We’ve got a magic bag —okay, tubs. We arrive with tubs full of goodies— but same, same. Some of our staging has been so successful, the buyers wanted everything in the the property!
Lots of factors figure into successful stagecraft. We’ll start to break it down for you. The main point is creating settings to help a potential buyer see themselves contentedly at HOME.

Staging Kit

Start with the basic ingredients, combine and then add layers to this cake!

First visit to site or home to stage

Eyeballs. Use ‘em.
All senses— note your impressions.
Measuring tape
Notebook or log in phone
Video from first view to end
Photos of individual rooms
Photos of areas needing extra attention

Back at the Workshop

Write down first impressions
Review video
Review photos
Use sticky notes for reminders
Note where a professional contractor is needed: large repairs, wiring, large painting jobs, large landscaping jobs

Day(s) of Installation (Assuming major work has been completed)

To bring:

First Aid Kit
Worker Bee Care Basket
Measuring tape
Push pins
Painter’s tape
Sticky notes

Go through entire project site first and mark each place possible that needs attention

Keep in your vehicle:

Drywall Repair kit
Paint touch up kit
Cleaning kit
Tool kit including clamps and glue
Furniture/wood scratch kit
Attachment issues kit including clamps, clips, laundry pins, magnets, wire, twine and safety pins

Follow the painter’s tape or sticky notes with small repairs or amendments— change colors if further work is needed.

If furniture is in the location, bring Furniture Moving kit.

Once small repairs/amendments are complete and major cleaning is complete: Block in large pieces.

Add accents, decorative pieces and lighting, bed covers, towels etc.

Add top dec: storytelling elements, faux fruit and other food, coffee in cabinet, boxes, baskets, books, humorous or homely small details.

Finish with final cleaning and dusting.

Fresh Smells kit to add citrus in kitchen, lavender in closets and bedrooms, etc.

In the mood to “Ooh” and “Aah”? Have a gander at our Stagecraft and Winning Entry boards on Pinterest.

staging kit: layering a cake

Cordelia & Co. Design