Spring Cleaning and Staging… the Same? Not Really but Sort of…
March is the perfect time to do a little spring refresh! The air is warmer, the days are longer, and we are ready for a new season! Spring is the time when most of us put away the heavy sweaters and coats and opt for a brighter and lighter wardrobe. This should hold true for your home, as well. It’s time to switch from wool to cotton, velvet to linen, and dark to light. We no longer need heavy throws, spruce-scented candles, dark bedding, etc. Making the switch is fun and gives us the feeling that long days of walking in the park, lying on the beach, and working in our garden are ahead.
Before the fun stuff starts, however, we need to do a few things. That is where spring cleaning comes in. As a stager, I am always in spring cleaning mode. When I show up for a pre-listing consultation, I immediately think “Declutter.” What can we put away, get rid of, or hide to make this home feel open, neat, and spacious but also conducive for everyday living? Here is a little comparison between spring cleaning and staging, as well as, a few ideas in case you are getting your home ready to go on the market or simply want to refresh for the new season!
Decluttering
The above photos are a good example of the similarities between spring cleaning and staging. These photos are from a pre-listing consultation that I recently did to prep for the photoshoot. The photo on the left is not that different from how many people live. Ignore the laundry on the bed for a minute and focus on the medicine on the far left shelf/lamp, the Kleenex box, lotion, and other toiletries on the wall shelves behind the bed. People like to have the things they use regularly close by for easy access, I get that! A quick and easy solution to decluttering this bedroom would be to purchase a few nice rectangular baskets to stow personal items such as medicine and toiletries. In this case, a basket could be placed in the open space below the bedside table. It would be out of the way, useful, and aesthetically pleasing! These items could also easily slide under the bed in a clear box to get things out of site.
The photo on the right was taken after it was staged. All personal items have been removed, a colorful pillow was added to the bed, a nice green plant was added, and the wall shelves were decluttered and paired down. Here is where spring cleaning and staging are very similar! Decluttering is used in both cases and can immediately make you feel more organized and create a refreshed space! Adding in accents like plants and new pillows is inexpensive and can really liven up a space.
2. Depersonalizing
Above are some photos from another pre-listing consultation. In this case, we did some decluttering but also depersonalizing. This is where spring cleaning and staging differ. The staged photo is clearly on the right… Note that we removed the Nutcracker collection. In staging, we remove personal items such as collections, diplomas, family photos, etc. It is important to make the space as neutral as possible so the buyer can envision themself in the space!
Looking at these photos from a spring cleaning/refreshing perspective, removing extra furniture opened the space and breathed new life into it! Here, we opened up the corner near the staircase and removed a loveseat that was cramping the area that flows into the kitchen (not pictured). Additionally, we found a new home for the games behind the glass door cabinets. Glass doors can be tricky and easily distract and detract from a space depending on what’s behind them! Adding a coffee table or cocktail ottoman would be a great addition to this room without overcrowding it and would also add functionality.
3. Defining Spaces
Defining or redefining spaces is a great way to step into spring! As stagers, we are always looking for ways to define areas that are not being used or that can be used in a better way. The grill in the photo on the right was convenient to the kitchen however, not the most inviting item to have on your front porch. After moving it to the backyard, a cute seating area was created to take its place and project a more welcoming feeling and a much better first impression when approaching the front door! Whether creating a home office in a spare unused bedroom, a reading nook in a lonely corner, or a conversation grouping in an oversized great room, defining or redefining spaces is another similarity between spring cleaning/refreshing and staging! It is also a lot of fun!
In conclusion, although the goals can differ when you are staging a home versus spring cleaning/refreshing they are also very similar! As stagers, we focus on neutralizing and depersonalizing a space in addition to decluttering and defining spaces that you might use when refreshing your home. Whether you are getting ready to list your home or need a refresh, we offer a 2- hour consultation to address your needs! Whatever your goal, we are here to help!
