By Stephanie Decker, Staged Marin Homes

In home staging it is vital to make a home look high fashion without paying the cost of high fashion. Home stagers are always increasing their staging inventory and can’t pay full price for furniture and accessories, or their business won’t be successful.

Unfortunately, there is not just one place to find home staging supplies so being creative is important — not only in what you use but what you buy.

Here are my top five ways to make a home’s interior look expensive and in fashion, but not at the cost of your bottom line.

1. Use one expensive piece in each room. In order to make a room look high fashion, you have to believe that it is, even when it isn’t. The way to do this is to incorporate one expensive, well-positioned piece in each room.

It can be a piece of art, a table or piece of china. I will position it where the focal point is so that when the buyer first walks into the room this is what they see first. Then, they just assume that everything else is expensive too.

2. Use white. White will always be a staple that home stagers use. It gives the look of light, cleanliness, and an open space. I love white moldings, cabinets, and doors. I also love white lamps, accessories, and linens.

White is easy to clean and can also be bought very cheaply but made to look expensive. One of my favorite stores to find inexpensive white accessories is Z Gallery.

Using inexpensive white pieces on an expensive table is my favorite trick. It highlights the table while filling the space.

3. Look at what can be recycled. To bring fashion back into your home, you might see if you can re-cover your old upholstered furniture. Continue reading »