Ready, Set, Show! ~ All in the Family Room!

Post #4 - Family Rooms

Family Rooms should want you to come in, chat, relax and stay a while.

The Family Room is one of the most important gathering spaces of the home. Prospective buyers should want to do exactly what the first sentence of this post suggests. A family room should not be too stuffy or busy; just calm, peaceful and inviting. If you don't enjoy spending time in this space, then buyers will feel the same way. So how do you achieve a family room for just about any potential buyer? Let's look at a few tips for staging a family room for the real estate market.

First, you'll want to evaluate the traffic flow patterns of your room. You'll need to make sure that all doorways and cased openings are furniture free. Your family and guest will appreciate the ample space that you have provided for them as they move about the space.

Then you'll need to adjust and rearrange any furniture that is old and worn or just seems to large for the room. You are wanting to reveal as much floor space as possible. A small room can become even smaller with large furniture pieces. That doesn't mean you need to trade in your large sofa for a futon, you just might need to bring in a couple of occasional chairs to tone down the large feel of the sofa.

If you have an area rug, make sure it is good condition. Sure prospective homeowners aren't purchasing your rug but a good, clean rug will help the buyer envision their own rug on a clean floor.

Remove any unnecessary accessories. Too many candlesticks, picture frames and knick-knacks can make your family room seem cluttered. You'll want the prospective buyer to linger in the family room. So give them a calm, peaceful reason to sit and stay a while.

Bring a little of the outdoors inside. A pot of live greenery always livens up a space.

Light and airy drapery panels add a new crispness to the space.

A neutral wall paint is more pleasing than a bold color such as red.

Remove dated light fixtures, lamps and shades. Replace them with newer pieces.

Stow away stacks of magazines and books. If you have any nicely bound books, you could use them as elevation props for lamps and frames.

But most importantly, keep this room clean and picked up at all times. You will feel more refreshed during the selling process and it will make quick clean ups before showings a breeze.

So now, sit back and relax in your newly staged room. Enjoy it while you can, because remember this room will belong to someone else soon!

Photos courtesy of Southern Living and Better Homes and Gardens.