HOW TO DRIVE SALES WITH SHOW HOME STAGING
Potential buyers are drawn by the location and outlook of your development. They’ll have practical requirements and a budget. However, visualising themselves in the property is what adds value and drives sales. That’s where show home staging pays dividends.
Interior staging highlights the potential of the property and its perceived value. It ensures that viewers feel at home, yet delivers an aspirational lifestyle. Get it right and property sales will flow.
Do You Need a Professional Interior Designer?
From experience, I know that this final, essential step in the property development process is often a bit of an afterthought. The painters and carpet layers are still finishing off a day or two before the official opening. For this reason, you need an interior designer who is used to working with trades. You need a professional who can work under pressure and be adaptable.
As an interior designer, I make it my priority to:
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Understand the target client and their lifestyle aspirations.
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Work with developers to agree on timescales and budgets.
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Map out show home layouts and take accurate measurements.
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Hire or source all furniture and fittings for delivery on the exact date.
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Stick to the schedule and agree on the necessary support to get the job done.
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Get hands-on and pay close attention to detail to achieve the desired finish.
I bring value to the project and believe this is why you need a professional interior designer.
5 Tips on Show Home Staging
1. Engage with a professional interior designer before you plan the electrics, kitchen & bathroom fittings, flooring and wall coverings. The cost of a planning meeting in the early stages pays dividends when it comes to achieving an inviting, cohesive and practical layout that viewers love.
2. Internal staging is a balancing act. The ideal finish is cosy and inviting, yet uncluttered and neutral. It must optimise the sense of space, yet clearly define the purpose of each room.
3. Understanding the target buyers, so you’ll know what fittings to prioritise and if the box room is best presented as an office or nursery.
4. Show home interior design recognises the stunning aspect, the high ceilings or quality finishes and considers how to use lighting and features to lead the eye to them.
5. Finally, the overall look has to be cohesive and appealing as viewers move through the property. Each room is distinct, yet it must work as a whole. A consistent colour palette, along with furnishing materials, furniture placement and even textures are used to achieve this flow.
Showcasing the Best Property in the Development
One of my earliest show home interior design projects was staging a luxury show apartment. It involved working with the developer from the outset and creating a high-end concept for the showroom. This was a large apartment with a spectacular outlook over the sea.
I sourced and stored furniture and fittings to be delivered to the site on installation day. In addition, wallpaper and window dressings were hung and then the final homely details were placed. A final clean and the doors were open to the public. The developer and estate agents were delighted with how quickly the apartments were snapped up.
However, a few apartments in the development weren’t gaining the same interest. With no sea view and less natural light, buyers weren’t inspired. So, I was called back in to emphasise the potential and drive sales. Sometimes, styling less desirable plots is as important as the prime property.
