Friday, 24 May 2013

Home staging your home ready to sell: What to consider when choosing a DIning TableHOW T...

 What to consider when choosing a DIning TableHOW T...: What to consider when choosing a DIning Table HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE WHEN CHOOSING A DINING TABLE ...

What to consider when choosing a DIning Table

HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE WHEN CHOOSING A DINING TABLE












Before you even go in search of a dining room table , make a list of the important factors. Dining tables can be an expensive purchase and it is important to get it right. Below is a list to consider before buying a table.

- The room the table is for, kitchen, dining room or through room.


Depending on the room, the style of the table will vary. Normally for a kitchen a functional and low maintenance table is better.
In a dining room a more elaborate style may be accommodated.

- The size of the room.

This is very important. If your table is too big for your room your guests will feel pushed against the wall and it will make it difficult for then to manoeuvre around the table.. If a table is too small the guests will feel huddled together at the table and afraid to move in fear of knocking drinks over etc. To avoid these problems follow these guidelines:

- each person requires around 60cm of width, so they can sit comfortably.
-  allow at least 80cm between wall and table to allow guests to get up and down easily. 
- allow over 95 cm if guests have to walk up and down behind the table.
- allow 110cm if you are going to serve guests behind their chairs.
All measurements to be taken from the wall or the furniture that is next the the table.



- Function of the table, family meals, entertaining or both

If the number of people sitting at the table is always to remain the same, then you get a table big enough to comfortable seat everyone, providing the room can accommodate it.
If the number of people sitting at the table varies then an extending table will be a good option. An extension table is also a good option if space is limited, as the size can be reduced when not in use.

- The style of the table 

The style or material the table is made from  (wood/glass etc)  is purely personal choice. Glass is higher maintenance as it marks easily. Wood gives a warmer appearance than glass.
Glass gives a more spacious  feel to the scheme, as the light flows through the table.
Round tables fit better into tight spaces, as they have no sharp edges for people to bump into. Large round tables tend to make it difficult for people to reach food in the middle of the table.
Rectangular tables tend to be better for very large numbers. They are also good in narrow rooms, as it leaves more room for traffic flow.



- Consider the sizes of people sitting at the table.

If someone is out of the average height range, it is a good idea to take that person with you to test the suitability of the table height. Someone who is very tall will require a slighter higher than average table.

Is My Home Ready To Sell



When you want sell your home, your have to view your home as a product. Your aim is to sell at the highest price and in the least amount of time. Viewers look at many houses in a row, your priority is to make them remember your house above all others. This is where home staging helps, you can make the buyer believe that buying your home will buy them that life style. For example a garden with sofa seating and a book on the garden table will give the vision of the viewer sitting and relaxing. 
A viewers first impression of your home will stay with them once they have left, hence the importance of a well presented front. An untidy front will give viewers negative thoughts before they even step inside your home.


 



Always ensure front door is welcoming. Plants give the appearance of a well maintained home. Door hardware should always be clean and well presented, if necessary buy new. 











Prior to home staging it is vital to de-clutter your home and get rid of any unused or unwanted items. This will make displaying your home at its best easier and your move much less stressful. Any excess items store away, as clutter will make your house feel smaller.



As a home staging service our agent will go through your home with the eyes of a viewer. Here are some general tips:




Look at the skirting and paint work throughout your home, is it clean and tidy? Scuffed paintwork will give the impression of a poorly maintained home.
Paint and if necessary replace damaged skirting board.
This also applies to wooden window frames, ensure they are well presented. If there is any condensation in the window area, ensure it is wiped and dried prior to viewing.







Walk through your home with a camera and take pictures of each area. Ask yourself what is the focal point of each room? The focal point should be something that the buyer will benefit from, a feature of the house not personal possessions. For example a large window, allowing light to flow into the room, or a beautiful view into the garden.

Enhance any positive features - for example ensure a large window isn't covered in curtains, have curtains draped well enough back to show the window at its best.



Hall: The hall should feel welcoming and is the entrance to other areas of your home. All coats and shoes should stored away. 


Living area: Ensure the room is fit for purpose. Arrange furniture to show the room at its best. If the room is large The seating does not need to be against wall as this can make the room feel uninviting. If the room is small you may want to store some furniture away to create the feeling of space.




Kitchen:Kitchens are expensive to replace - you want yours to look as good as possible to your viewers. Ensure all appliances are sparkly clean and taps in good working order. If work tops are poor it might be worth investing in new work tops.Try and keep surfaces clear of dishes etc. It is a good idea to stage the kitchen to look like it is in use but easy to use and keep tidy (although we know this is often not the case).
See example - this was staged rental property.





Bedrooms: Keep bedrooms as neutral as possible to allow the viewer to envisage there own style. Ensure all clothes and accessories are tidied away. Cushions well displayed always look appealing on a bed.
In children's bedroom tidy as many toys away as possible and maybe stage a toy on the floor, to emphasise playing space.






Toilets/Bathrooms: Bathroom are an expensive purchase, you want to make yours as appealing as possible. All taps should be leak free and in good condition. If required replace taps in sink and bath. Just replacing taps and faucets can give a bathroom an immediate uplift. Ensure all sealant is mould free, otherwise remove and replace. Bathrooms are easy to update with towels and bathmats. Keep all toiletries out of sight.


Garden: This can sometimes be the deal clincher. A garden can be seen as added living space. Keep the garden well maintained and if possible stage an eating and sitting area. Potted plants and colour are always an attractive garden feature.



The above are basic tips and each home would require slightly different home staging strategies. Remember you are selling the house not the things in it!
When showing the viewer round you should keep upbeat and positive, highlighting any positive features, e.g original features etc. Also for example if your childs room has a vivid accent wall casually mention with a flick of paint the wall colour can be changed (although it would be better to tone it down beforehand).