As the RESA Staging Professional of the Year, I have had the pleasure of helping over 500 families to prepare their homes for sale. Often times, clients ask me how to get the look they want for their home without spending a fortune. My answer is look for a few key pieces that can set the tone for your room.
Have you ever seen a room in a design magazine and wanted to create a similar space in your home, only to discover the pillows you admired cost more than your mortgage?! Well real people like you and me have real budgets! In my job as a home stager, I come across this challenge all the time and have learned many ways to give a room an instant new look without breaking the bank.
I am excited that as part of HomeGoods’ new “Designer is In” events in the coming weeks, I will have the opportunity to share with you in person and online my tips and tricks for updating your home—affordably! I will be appearing at four HomeGoods stores near Philadelphia. Some of the topics I plan on covering in my presentation are:
• How to make your rooms look 15 years younger with just a few simple accents
• How to add color to a room and create a dramatic change without a single coat of paint
• How you can instantly transform the style of any room
Also, make sure to bring your design questions, pictures of any rooms you are working on, fabric swatches or photographs and ideas that inspire you and I will be happy to consult with you and answer your questions. If you cannot make the store events, please post your design questions here and I will be happy to help.Plus, after each in-store event, I will blog about the questions that came up at the store events and the shoppers I meet.
Hope to see you at my presentation. I will be speaking three times a day at 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. At the following HomeGoods:
September 13
St. David’s Square
550 East Lancaster Avenue
St. Davids, PA
September 20
Airport Square Shopping Plaza
Bethlehem Pike & Upper State Road
Montgomeryville, PA
September 27
Marlton Crossing Shopping Center
Corner of Rte. 73 & Rte. 70
Marlton, NJ
October 4
Concordville Town Centre
501 Town Center Drive
Glen Mills, PA
I look forward to meeting you in person at my area HomeGoods stores and helping you create inspiring rooms on any budget!
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1. Hi Kate – let me know if you’re ever up in CT! You’re such a wonderful advocate for home staging and a wonderful designer!
Susan
by Susan — 9/4/08 at 9:36 am #
2. Thanks Susan,
As of now I am only scheduled to do seminars in the Philadelphia area stores but I will let you know if I am coming to your area. I have been a fan of your work for some time so it would be great to meet in person. KH
by Kate — 9/4/08 at 11:59 am #
3. Kate: What do you recommend for renters who cannot change the old existing wallpaper? How can they affordably change the color or look of the room?
by Joan — 9/4/08 at 12:08 pm #
4. Hi Joan,
Thanks for your comment- this is actually a very common question.
If they do not have permission to remove the wall paper and repaint the room I recommend that they add some neutral furniture and neutral window treatments to “soften” the look of the space. They can then add accents that they like to three areas in the room- the floor, the wall and the table top. To make a contemporary room look more traditional, a Persian style area rug, a landscape painting or gilded mirror and some silk tapestry pillows can transform the space. To make a traditional room look sleeker- a natural fiber rug, an abstract painting and some linen or beaded pillows will give the room an edgier look.
If all else fails- purchase some inexpensive bed sheets and drape the walls using a staple gun! When they move out the holes will be barely visible. This will give it a “glamorous Hollywood tent look”.
On another note, the first apartment I ever rented was simply hideous. My landlord allowed me to have a “painting” party where all my friends came over and in exchange for dinner helped me paint the mustard walls a sage and coffee color palate. When I moved out the landlord was thrilled with the new look and the higher rent since it looked “more on trend”.
Hope this helps! KH
by Kate H — 9/4/08 at 9:24 pm #
5. I’m interested in decorating my small home office space. Currently it has a nice small oak-wood desk and customized floor to ceiling bookshelves. The rest of the furniture is mix-matched. The current paint color is a neutral cream with a little darker area rug. I think I have too much furniture.
by Leona — 9/5/08 at 6:36 pm #
6. Hi Kate,
I’m a home stager and a member of RESA as well. I am currently working on a home an early 80’s country theme. The kitchen is very dark with dark hardwood floors and cabinetry, and a navy blue wallpaper with tans specks. The owners do not want to remove the wallpaper, and frown on painting over it. Any advice on how to brighten and update this kitchen? It’s the first room you see when you enter the home, and really needs a wow factor. The rest of the home has been updated with potterybarn paint and furniture in neutrals and a touch of navy.
I would welcome any recommendation and advice you may have for the room
Thanks,
Kim
Ultimate Staging & Decor, LLC
by Kim — 9/7/08 at 5:02 pm #
7. Hi Leona,
Thank you for your comment- without pictures of the room it is hard fro me to come up with a plan for you. If you want, you can add a photo to your comment.
The first thing I recommend is to look at the items you have in the room and divide them into 3 groups- keep, store or give away, and toss or throw away. Once you decide what you need to keep, look at that list of items and determine if each thing has a specific purpose. For example, you may need a chair to work at your desk and a chair to read by the window but do you need three other chairs that do not get used? Same thing for area rugs, you may need one to anchor the space but do you need 3 others for decoration only? Once you get through this editing exercise you can then determine where to place the furniture items. Once the furniture is placed you can then add accessories.
I like to add accessories to three areas of the room and in three places- for example an area rug to the floor, art to the walls and new toss pillows or a throw to the chair.
Send me some pics and I can give you more ideas.
Thanks for posting! kh
by Kate — 9/9/08 at 8:12 am #
8. Hi Kim,
Thanks for your post- I think we may have the same client! Just kidding!
I too have experienced many an outdated kitchen in my staging career and like you have recommended inexpensive suggestions to update the kitchen and the clients have turned me down
Here is something you may want to try:
1. Since the room is wall papered have the client remove all the art and the window treatments ( I am assuming they are as old as the wall paper) This will add less clutter to the walls which are already busy with the wall paper and add more light to the room.
2. If there is a wall opposite the window or any large wall, add a large mirror- this will instantly add more light to the space.
3. Clear the counters, Then add only white or cream accessories. For example next to the stove you may want to add some new white canisters and a pitcher with some wooden cooking utensils and a cook book on a stand (new cookbook here with a colorful color). You can then add another white piece to the island or “L” space of the counter- for example a big ceramic platter or bowl. Then add white dishes to the eating area or table.
4. Then add green- I love green in staging or design since it pulls the eye from the room to the outside- we just removed the window treatments so the buyer’s eye will be pulled outside to appreciate what I hope is a great view. Green is a clean and crisp color and works wonders in staging. If it is a country kitchen I recommed some potted herbs on the window sill or some topiary trees. One the table you may want to add some green apples or artichokes to the center of the table. Maybe then a fern to the desk or counter?
I hope this helps- kitchens are very important to buyers- especially in today’s market. Please keep me posted on what you decide to do. KH
by Kate — 9/9/08 at 8:22 am #
9. Yikes! Kim I totally forgot step 5:
Have your client add at least one new stainless steel countertop appliance such as a toaster or a coffee pot. It sounds silly but when all the items on the counters are clean, crisp and new looking the overall feel of the kitchen is newer. I try this trick a lot and it has an impact on a budget. KH
by Kate — 9/9/08 at 8:40 am #
10. Hi Kate,
I’m so bummed that you won’t be coming to the NYC area so that I could meet you in person! Would you be able to take a look at the attached photo and tell me what is missing from this room? I bought items in the room from various different places – including my favorite – Home Goods, but I feel something is missing – a punch of color maybe? I want to put a table in between the 2 couches, but what kind? Matching the coffee table? New lamp too, right? Sigh….
Help please? Regards, WM
by Wendy — 9/10/08 at 2:22 pm #
11. Hi Wendy,
I would love to help but I cannot see the photo you attached. Can you please try posting it again and I will take a look?
I am sorry I will not be in the NYC area but please check back to see how the events went in the Philadelphia region.
Best regards, KH
by Kate — 9/10/08 at 8:19 pm #
12. Hello again Wendy,
If you cannot post it here try adding it to the “submit yours” tab under customer finds and I will take a peek. KH
by Kate — 9/10/08 at 8:22 pm #
13. Hi Kate,
Thanks for writing back!! I posted the pic here again and also under the “submit yours” tab under customer finds. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts. Thanks again!!
by Wendy — 9/11/08 at 9:33 am #
14. Hi Wendy,
Now I see it. I love what you have done- the colors are so warm and welcoming. It is clean and elegant without seeming too stark. Initially when I looked at the room I had two thoughts:
1. I like the rich copper tones and the cream sofas but maybe you need another color to “punctuate” the space. I recommend maybe adding a touch of icy robin’s egg blue or lime green (blue and orange are complements on the color wheel). Maybe start with a great accent pillow or add an urn or vase to the table. Adding that punch of color will make the room pop!
2. It may just be the camera angle but when you first look at a room you read the room left to right just like you are reading a book. The corner where the floor lamp is seems like it needs more- that is where my eye is pulled first. I love the floor urn. Maybe put that in the corner on a table or pedastal and make that the dramatic first thing you see. You can then switch the lamp to the other side of the sofa.
Thanks for sharing- I really appreciate you reading my blog. Please keep me posted. KH
by Kate — 9/11/08 at 2:25 pm #
15. Hello, Kate. I am moving into a new home and I’m just overwhelmed and broke, of course. My walls are neutral tan as well as my furniture. The floors are a medium brown hardwood with neutral tan tile in the kitchen. I just don’t even know where to start in pulling everything together. I love red and sage and I want to incorporate them into my space. Do you have any tips? Thanks!
by Angela — 9/12/08 at 2:10 pm #
16. Hi Kate,
I am moving to a house that has all hardwood floors so I will need area rugs. What do you recommend-starting with the rug and finding living room furniture to go with it or starting with the furniture and then looking for a rug? Also the living room is painted yellow. I do not like reds and browns. Am really a aqua-green -blue girl. Can you recommend a color scheme? This yellow is quite strong and I may just have to paint it.
Thanks ever so much for you advise.
by Janine — 9/13/08 at 5:08 pm #
17. Hi Angela,
Thanks for your comment. Congrats on your new home! I completely understand your need to stay on a budget and still have your new home look warm and inviting.
I recommend that you keep the neutral furniture and wall color and just add a few accent items to spice things up. If you can afford it, an area rug is a great way to give a room a pop of color and create a color scheme around which to build a room. HomeGoods has some lovely Persian inspired rugs that would give your room a traditional look or you could opt for a bolder patterned rug for a more contemporary look. Once you select the area rug you can then add some color to the sofa and mid level of the room with some toss pillows. Look for luxurious silks with patterns and stripes for a formal look or for a more organic feel select linen or beaded pillows. To complete the space you should add some artwork. If you have a fireplace add the artwork here to accent this focal point of the room. If you do not, then add the artwork above the seating area to unify this space.
Looking for an inexpensive alternative to framed artwork? I love to hang plates on the wall in a grouping. They are much less expensive than art and look amazing. Check out this blog I wrote about plates as art
I wish you the best for your new home- please share what you come up with. KH
by Kate Hart — 9/16/08 at 2:06 pm #
18. Hi Janine,
Thanks for checking out my blog. Your question about where to start is something I hear a lot from clients. The answer is- it is up to you!
I personally believe that you should invest in good quality neutral furniture and build your room from there however sometimes you see something that just appeals to you and you end up building a room around a certain piece like an area rug- I have used the same Chinese Blue Oriental in my living room in two homes and created two completely different looks with it!
If you have not purchased an area rug yet I recommend selecting the furniture first- this way you are not boxed into a particular style. You can then easily switch out the rug and accessories to give your room a new look using the same upholstery.
As for the yellow paint- since I do not have a picture to look at I can tell you my gut instinct- if you are not crazy about the paint color do not invest in building a room around it! If you like blues and aquas you may want to paint the walls a warm coffee color and then accent with those colors. For a bolder look you may want to paint the walls a shocking teal or create a calm sanctuary with robins egg blue and then accent with neutrals such as creamy white and chocolate brown.
If you keep the yellow, cobalt blue looks great for a pop color and gives it a global look- think Italian Country Pottery or Greek Islands. If the yellow is paler then you may want to opt for adding green to create a soothing clean look.
Add a picture of the room so I can take a peek.
Thanks again for posting! I hope my advice was helpful. KH
by Kate Hart — 9/16/08 at 2:35 pm #
19. Hi Kate
I am trying to pull a color scheme together using cues from a rough textured marble fireplace. The main colors are grey, creme, and a peachy orange color. I have recently purchased med. grey drapes and my husband and I are changing all the woodwork to white. I plan to warm up the wall color with a neutral tan that can play off the grey undertones but keep it warm. As a third color, would you introduce a burnt orange to play off the peach in the fireplace? I really don’t want to use a peach. My style is somewhere in the new traditional / contemporary/modern. Would you also introduce a 4th color or just add house plants?
by Christine — 9/18/08 at 4:00 pm #
20. Hi Kate,
Please let us know if you ever make it south to Texas. Would love to attend one of your presentations.
I have a question regarding flooring. Right now, with the exception of my foyer, kitchen, breakfast room and master bath, the remainder of the house is wall to wall carpet. We’d like to replace it but are a little unsure about what to replace it with. We’ve considered the following:
1. Dining room – extremely traditional with stenciled ceiling and heavy wood furniture. We’d like to replace with tile to relieve all that wood. The room is 14′x9′. We’re thinking of a high polished 16″ marble tile. Would this work?
2. Living room – 30×18 with large ornate fireplace at one end. We’d like to put in a wood floor, preferably something that’s walnut or walnut stained.
3. Master bedroom – match the floor to the living room
4. Bedrooms and hall between bedrooms – carpet, preferably carpet tile (I have three small children).
Is it bad to have this many transitions of flooring between rooms?
Also, in the future we’d like to replace the tile foor in our master bath. I saw an example of one that used a marble medallion in the floor that I thought was beautiful. However, would that be considered to traditional for future resale?
by Denise — 9/18/08 at 7:28 pm #
21. Kate,
I want to paint my master suite in a color that my large dark mahagony furniture will look good against. I would also like to paint the ceiling in a coordinating color to bring in warmth. My room is fairly large with bay windows across one wall. My question is, what color palett should I be using to bring in warmth and to keep my furniture from looking like it is floating in the room.
Thank you
by Pamela — 9/19/08 at 10:24 am #
22. Hi Christine
Thanks for posting- your room sounds beautiful. I like the idea of painting the woodwork white- this will really pop the architecture and give the room a crisp clean look. If you are looking for a more modern look what about using a complementary color to the peach instead of trying to match it? That way the peach will be an accent not the focus of the room.
Since blue and orange are complements I recommend a cool robins egg blue color and chrome accents on the window treatment hardware, the lighting and a mirror. If you want to go warmer then I would go with the burnt orange or cinnamon not pastel and peachy. I like how warm wood tones look with burnt orange and there are some wonderful accent tables that you could introduce for a modern look.
I always recommend adding green but in this case look for something with clean lines for a modern look like flats of spring green grass or moss covered spheres piled in a large wooden bowl.
Please share some pics so I can see how it turned out. KH
by Kate Hart — 9/19/08 at 4:34 pm #
23. Hi Denise,
Your question is something my clients ask me all the time. In my real estate market on the East Coast buyers tend to prefer hardwood floors and I always recommend that whenever possible my clients replace their wall to wall carpet with hardwood flooring.
Since you live in Texas however I would have to know more about the target home buyer for your area. I can tell you however that marble floors especially in a bathroom are lovely and are a luxury item that would appeal to many home buyers. There are a lot of new construction homes I have seen that have marble tile throughout the main living areas to give the home more of a European look.
Typically I recommend that the main living areas have the same type of flooring to make the space feel more continuous and flow better. Sometimes the kitchens and bathrooms will be different material and the family room will be carpeted if the home owner prefers wall to wall carpeting in place of hardwood.
I recommend that the second floor be the same material as well- either all hardwood or all the same carpet with the exception of the bathrooms or laundry room.
If you think the dining room will look too dark with wood floors consider adding an area rug to lighten and soften the space. If you really are set on marble floors you may want to consider extending it into the kitchen if it is adjoining or the foyer to make less transitions between spaces.
In the end it is your home and you have to love it! If you are seriously considering selling your home in the next 5 years I would consult with a local home stager to get their opinion. If you are planning on staying more than 10 years relax and enjoy your home- typically home owners update their home every 10-15 years and what you pick now may not be on trend then!
Please keep me posted on what you decide to do! kh
by Kate Hart — 9/19/08 at 4:59 pm #
24. Hi Pamela
Thanks for checking out my blog! I have worked with a lot of clients that have dark mahogany furniture like yours and want to add color without making the room look too dark.
If you are looking to add warmth I recommend a warm champagne gold that has yellow undertones. The purple undertones of the mahoghany will work with the gold tones since purple and yellows are complements. This will create a nice neutral color palate that you can accent with any color you choose.
If you do not like the gold idea then maybe work with the red tones of the furniture and select a green. I recommend that you select a more stony/sagey green vs. a bright or limey green. The red tones in the wood will contrast nicely with the grey green color.
If you want to accent the tray ceiling I recommend that you paint the tray ceiling 2 shades lighter than the wall color- this will accent the architecture of the room and make the space seem cozier.
If you really want to add some drama select a color that is two shades darker than the wall color and paint the wall behind the bed the darker color- this will anchor it in the space and prevent the floating furniture look you want to avoid.
An easy way to do this is to take the paint color strip from the color fan deck- move 2 shades up for the ceiling color and 2 shades down for the accent color. This tonal look will be dramatic but not overpowering.
Please let me know how it turns out. KH
by Kate Hart — 9/19/08 at 5:11 pm #
25. Hi Kate,We had new counter tops inthe kitchen in atancolor with small dots of brown and black. floor tiles in shades of brown. what can I do for curtains and chair cushions, accessories.
Thank you
By Rae 9/19/08
by Rachael — 9/19/08 at 10:14 pm #
26. Hello,
I live in southern california, can you send my some pictures (ideas) of re-designing a bedroom and bathroom. I like dark brown, red colors. Modern looking home.
by Gurmith — 9/21/08 at 8:34 pm #
27. I am trying to set up an office in my second bedroom, I live alone & I really need to make it nice so I want to work in it. I have a computer & desk I really need something for my windows I bought new valances in tan, brown and the new red stipe but I don’t know what to do with the rest of the window I have to keep the windows closed most of the time I thought about getting plantion blinds do you think this would look alright with the valance? I am going to paint the walls brown. Thanks for any ideas you can give me.
by Saundra — 9/21/08 at 9:11 pm #
28. Hello Gurmith,
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I am happy to help you with ideas for your bedroom and bathroom but I will need to see some photos first.
If you want, you can submit photos of your room by using the submit button on the top right of the screen. Thanks for stopping by.
Kate
by Kate Hart — 9/22/08 at 8:08 pm #
29. Hello Rae,
Thanks for visiting my blog. Your kitchen remodel sounds great!
Since you have a neutral color palate to work with I recommend that you select a bold color for your accessories. For a more contemporary look you may opt for bright pops of red and lime green- they will contrast nicely with the black. For a more traditional look you may want to go for antiqued white canisters and a shade of sagey green on the walls. Black Rod Iron pieces will give it that bistro feel!
Another fool proof trick is to use a color in the adjoining rooms. This will add more flow to your design scheme. For example if you have tones of blue and green in the adjoining dining room incorporate those colors into the kitchen. If the family room is green and gold work with those colors.
Best of luck and let me know how it turns out. KH
by Kate Hart — 9/22/08 at 8:20 pm #
30. Hi Saundra,
Thanks for posting. I like your ideas for window treatments in your office. I am not sure if you mean plantation shutters or wooden slat blinds? I think a valance over the plantation shutters may make it hard for you to open them. If you are using a valance then I recommend wooden blinds- they have the same feel as plantation shutters and are less money! I recommend a faux wood 2-2.5 inch slat.
Since you are working with brown tones you may want to consider a wood tone instead of the typical white. Another option is a fabric or woven Roman shade to go under the valance. I found some wonderful Bamboo shades to use in my office. They are easy to install and work great to keep out light and provide privacy. If you do not like the idea of Bamboo there are many linen varieties that look great too.
I hope this was helpful. Please let me know what you decide to do. KH
by Kate Hart — 9/22/08 at 8:27 pm #
31. Hi Kate,
I think I’m the last person in the world to want an open floor plan, and yet, that’s exactly what I have. It’s a tiny house (matching my budget) and I hate my kitchen ‘hanging out’ into my living room. I’ve painted both rooms the same color (a soft blue) and have continued my wallpaper border thru both rooms as well, but they still don’t look cohesive enough to me.
Did I make a mistake by doing this? Should the kitchen be a different color, so as to make it recede from the eye? It’s not a pretty kitchen, with old fashioned cupboards (dark honey colored) my landlord won’t allow me to paint. The house was built in the late 80’s and is a small (1000 sq. feet) budget ranch house. It has an island (or rather peninsula) separating the two rooms. I thought of covering the bottom of it with beadboard and painting it, but what color? The woodwork in this house is that cheap firring, the walls are that soft blue and the countertops are a yellow-y beige laminate. I have touches of blue, burgandy, pink and white in the floral wallpaper border. I’m trying to give the house a cottage-y feel. I had thought of hanging plants from the ceiling over the peninsula but that’s a rather dated look, or is it? I don’t even know! I just wish I could screen off the entire kitchen but the opening is much too wide.
What can I do on my social security budget to make it more appealing as people come into my home? As people stand in the front doorway their first view is of the peninsula and the kitchen cabinets on the back wall
.
I’ll consider you a miracle worker if you can give me any advice on this mess I have on my hands.
Thank you!
by Marian — 9/26/08 at 6:36 pm #
32. Hi Marian,
Thanks for your post. It is really hard for me to give you a complete plan without seeing the room.
From your description it sounds like the best plan is to make the rooms seem more cohesive. Since you like the cottage look I think your idea of the plants and the beadboard sounds great! I recommend that you paint the beadboard a semi gloss white or purchase the pre-painted beadboard at a hardware store.
You could then continue the cottage look in the living room- maybe add some white wicker furniture, some fun floral pillows and hang some plates on the wall as art- this will carry the look of the kitchen into the other room. .
Another thought I had was that you could purchase one of those large metal scrolls and hang that from the ceiling over the peninsula. It would almost look like a gate! It could work since you would be able to see through it but it would add architectural interest.
hope this was helpful! kh
by Kate Hart — 9/28/08 at 9:42 am #
33. I love TJ Maxx and Marshalls, my favorite place to shop, and was so excited when I saw a Home Goods commercial. Only to find that the closest store was in Pennsicola Fla. I am in Louisiana. I would love to know when and if a new store will open in La. I have not been to the one in Pennsicloa yet but can’t wait to go, we do go to the beach regularly every summer but would love to be able to shop there more than once a year. Your store looks great and I am so excited to go to one, so please let me know when you decide to open closer. Thank-you. We are in south La. close to Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
by Laurie — 5/21/09 at 1:58 pm #
34. Hi Laurie,
Thanks for your recent comment on our HomeGoods Openhouse Blog.
At this time HomeGoods does not have any plans to open a new store in southern Louisiana, but please be assured that we have passed your comments onto our Real Estate Department for their review and attention.
Thanks again,
Jessica
Homegoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 5/22/09 at 10:31 am #