Can small changes make a big difference? You decide....

A few weeks back I was called out to a consult with one of my best agents.  She's usually great at giving advice to her clients.  This time, she was at a loss to the best way to proceed.  What could be done, on a small budget, to make a big difference?

The first photo is one of the current living room MLS photos.  The second is the one I emailed her tonight to replace it.  So, what changes were made and why?

This angle shows that the furniture is pushed to the outer walls with a large dance floor in the middle.  It doesn't feel at all warm or cozy.  We moved the piano, added a couple of large rattan chairs (gotta love Pier 1), a rug, coffee table and moved the end table & lamp from another place in this room.   (The chairs look like they probably should have been moved a little farther apart, but it didn't feel that way in the home.  I actually played with them for an eternity trying to get them just right... argh!)

When you first opened the door the side of both the sofa and loveseat greeted you.  The layout did not feel 'conversational'.  The furniture also felt really out of scale for this room.  It made the room feel smaller than it really was.  We took the loveseat upstairs to another bedroom that is set up as a home office.  There was more than enough room & it actually helped make that room feel more cozy & purposeful!

Again, the piano was removed, furniture added.  In addition, the curio cabinet was removed and the entertainment center was moved down - centered with the furniture. 

The overall effects of the changes are that the room now actually feels like a gathering/family room.  Buyers felt as if their furniture would not work in this home because the seller's furniture wasn't working!  Now buyers will be able to envision their belongings here.... the room feels twice the size & best of all, it was very inexpensive! 

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